Personalized Pooch

With the holidays coming, we are all so busy that sometimes, we forget that our “best friends” need our attention too!  A great way to show our pets we care is to take time out and bake some healthy doggie treats.  This is also a fantastic family activity, as children love to help their moms and grandmothers with these fun projects.

This is also a nice opportunity to make wonderful holiday gifts for your dog’s friends.  Put the treats in a darling tin in the shape of a bone, or decorate a plain red tin with dog stickers - make sure to find the ribbon with the little dog feet (little cat feet available too)!  Tie a bow and you’re all set for Santa’s special gift for the dog in the family.  For that extra, adorable touch, be creative and find dog related cookie cutters.

Here are some of my favorite recipes:

Chicken Dog Biscuits

3 1/2  cups flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
2 cups cornmeal
2 cups cracked wheat
1/2  cup non-fat dry milk
4 teaspoons salt
1 package  dry yeast,
1 pint warmed chicken stock
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk

1. Dissolve yeast into warm chicken stock
2. Mix flours, cornmeal, wheat, milk, salt, and yeast together.
3. Knead about 3 minutes, working it into a stiff dough.
4. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Cut into shapes, place on cookie sheet
6. Mix egg and milk together
7. Brush egg mixture on to biscuits
8. Bake at 300 F for 45 minutes
9. Turn the heat off and leave the biscuits in the oven overnight.
10. They should be hard and dry.

Meaty Biscuits

2 1/2  cups whole wheat flour
1/2  cups  dry milk
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
flavoring - meat drippings, or broth (enough to make a stiff dough).

1. Combine flour, dry milk and garlic powder in a medium sized bowl
2. Add egg
3. Mix well, adding enough flavoring to make dough stiff
4. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness on floured surface.
5. Cut into shapes and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes

Meaty Twists

3 1/2  cups flour
1 cup corn meal
1 package  unflavored gelatin
1/4  cup milk
1 egg
1/4  cup corn oil
1 jar  strained beef baby food
1 beef bouillon cube*
3/4  cup  boiling water
*for a chicken flavor substitute - chicken baby food and chicken bouillon cube

1. Dissolve bouillon cube in water.
2. Sift dry ingredients in large bowl.
3. Add milk, egg, oil, beef and beef bouillon.
4. Stir until well mixed.
5. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
6. Cut in 1/4 inch by 3 inch strips, twisting each stick before placing on cookie sheet.
7. Bake 35 - 40 minutes at 400 F.
8. Store in refrigerator.

Happy Holidays !