Cooking for Dogs

Note: My best friend can't stand it when people put pictures of their pets on a food blog. It irritates her. "It's supposed to be a food blog not a look-at-pictures-of-my-pet blog," she says. Today I'm going to break her first rule of food blogging and post pet pictures. Then I'm going to write about one of my dogs. At length. Followed by a recipe for dog biscuits. Sorry, Mrs A.

That sound you hear? It's my friend's sigh of exasperation. There's lots of eye rolling going on too.

This week Annabelle turned six and I thought I'd mark the occasion with a list of Ten Things about Annabelle

1. I have had Annabelle since she was eight weeks old. I was having a mid-life crisis and I had to have a puppy. Mike had a mid-life crisis too but he went to law school. He obviously knows how to have a more productive mid-life crisis.

2. Annabelle likes to carry things around in her mouth. Socks are a particular favorite but she also likes mail. Whenever we come into the house she likes to greet us with something in her mouth. Sometimes she manages to get these things outside and we find socks or mail in our backyard. We try to monitor what she carries out of the house but we aren't always successful. Once Mike found our bank statement in the back yard. Another time I found the diskette with his civil procedure study outline in the backyard.

3. The moment she first walked into the house Annabelle wanted to do everything Jack, our older dog, did. That first night Jack jumped on the bed, Annabelle tried to jump on the bed. Jack jumped off the bed, Annabelle jumped off the bed. Jack got a drink of water, Annabelle got a drink of water. When he lay down to go to sleep she wanted to sleep right next to him.

4. Annabelle is a tattletale. She believes that monitoring Jack is part of her job. I was once vacuuming when Annabelle came over to me and began pawing frantically at me. "What is it, girl?" I asked as I turned off the vacuum cleaner. And then I heard Jack, two floors below, trying to head butt his way through the closed door into the room where the cat is fed.

5. Annabelle does not like anyone to come near the car when I'm in it. She barks and jumps and does a Cujo routine. This makes for an awkward situation if you're pulled over by the police. Once I was pulled over with Annabelle in the car by a K9 officer so he was pretty calm about it. (I know you're wondering: I didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign. The cop was nice and only gave me a warning. It was 6 am in a deserted park. An almost deserted park.)  The next time I was pulled over (tail light out), I actually had to get out of the car in order to carry on the conversation. I couldn't hear a word the man was trying to say to me because there was a seventy pound dog standing on my lap barking at the top of her lungs.

6. When Annabelle was tiny she was always biting us. We were always using the "no bite" command. Often she bit us as we were telling her "no bite."  Mike called her Devilbelle. When she and Jack went outside I always made them sit and stay before going out. Annabelle had a habit of sitting right next to Jack then reaching over and biting Jack's leg which would make him jump up and yelp. I'm glad to report that she grew out of it. It was a relief for all of us.

7. Annabelle has understood the concept of fetching a ball since she was about nine weeks old. Jack loves to chase a ball but the whole idea of actually bringing the ball back so I can throw it for him again completely eludes him. He likes to run after the ball, catch it, and then just drop it before coming back. Annabelle has been in charge of bringing back Jack's ball since she was about four months old. 

8. Annabelle can carry two tennis balls at once in her mouth.

9. Annabelle loves stuffed-animal squeaky toys.  She's delighted when she receives a new toy. She walks around squeak-squeak-squeaking it enthusiastically. Sometimes she throws it up in the air and then catches it.

10. For one entire winter Annabelle got into bed the moment Mike got out. When his alarm clock went off she would stand up and walk to his side of the bed. When he got up, she climbed up and lay down next to me.

In the past I've made these dog biscuits as Christmas presents at times when I've felt in touch with my inner Martha. Not that I have a very reliable inner Martha. Often I reach but she's not there. In fact, it occurs to me that I may have been issued a defective inner Martha -- one that's more inclined to say, 'oh screw this' than to do something like craft marzipan fruits or bake many-layered cakes. These dog biscuits however are easier than Christmas sugar cookies so they're easy to manage, even for those with defective or non-functioning inner Marthas.

This recipe is adapted from one in the September-October 1991 edition of Martha Stewart Living.

Dog Biscuits with Chicken Broth

2 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cup yellow cornmeal

2 tablespoons corn oil

1/2 cup chicken or turkey broth

2 eggs mixed with 1/4 cup low-fat milk

1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl mix together flour and cornmeal. Stir in oil, broth, and egg mixture. The dough will be stiff. Let the dough sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into shapes and brush with beaten egg.

4. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool. Store in airtight container.

How many cookies you get depends on what size shapes you use. The recipe says it yields 48 to 60 cookies. I got closer to 30 cookies.

I use homemade broth for these, made without salt.

My dogs give these the big seal of approval. I'm not sure what that's worth though; they give all sorts of disgusting and unmentionable things the big seal of approval. They would not be described as picky eaters.

OK, we are now returning to regular pet-free food blogging. It's safe to read again, Mrs. A.                                                                                         

The scruffy little Birthday Girl               

Comments

[Mrs, A]

My eyes are rolling, but not for long because Little Annabelle Denise is so so cute.

[Anne]

Personally, I like the combination of interests--food, animals, family, photos. I think it gives a blog more dimension.

Thanks for the dog biscuit recipe. I'm planning on making it part of a Christmas gift for someone to whom I'm also giving a cookie cutter in the shape of a Dachshund. She'll be able to make dog biscuits in the shape of her own dogs!

[William Burkhamer]

Great entry.
And it's nice to see you and the dogs, Julie.

... though I need a cat treat recipe for a very dog-like cat.

Will

[Cazza]

So many of Annabelle's antics reminded me of our much missed German Shepherds. The squeak squeak, the presents whenever we came home (Oh the distress if there was nothing to pick up), the telling of tales (the cats are in the dooooggggg fooooooddd muuuuuummmmmm), but most of all those lovely big brown eyes.

Happy Birthday, Annabelle.

[Vanessa]

Awww...what a great post about your birthday girl! Thanks for the recipe - I'm going to make these for Christmas.

[Tanna]

This is a gem of a post!
I love Annabella now!
And I love your inner Martha, sounds about equal to mine.
This was a joy! Thank you so much.

[Margaret]

WOW !!! This is a fabulous post. I love the pictures and the Annabelle stories. I will send the recipe to our granddaughter Abbi. She just got a golden-doodle and will love making these cookies for him. Abbi is 9 years old and is a very good cook and baker.

You have a beautiful place.

Hugs, Margaret

[Miz S]

This is your BEST POST EVER! More dog stories, please.

[blue plate]

Annabelle looks soooo sweet in the picture. I enjoyed reading the 10 things about her, even there was no mention of food. Happy Birthday Annabelle!

[sher]

I agree with Anne! We bloggers who talk about our pets are multi-dimensional! :):) I loved reading this! I hope we hear more about Annabelle and Jack. My old dog was a biter when she was a puppy too. It was so funny--and painful. You're so lucky to have Annabelle and the dog biscuits are FABULOUS!

[Mrs. S]

#8 is my favorite BY FAR, and omigosh your doggy is such a cute girl!

[anna maria]

Awwww, she's so sweet.
I was pleasantly surprised to see your recipe for dog biscuits, since I had been thinking about homemade dog biscuits on the bus this evening. My inner Martha must be related to your inner Martha, because the number of things I think about cooking, crafting, or whatever, is much geater than the actual number of things I do make.

[the bee]

I will make these for my sister's dogs.Do you remember Nellie your 3 legged dog? I was so afraid of that dog. Do not know why. I am the worst pet person in the world.
I think pets know this and they gravitate towards me . I will still make the doggy treats and hope my phobia goes away.

[MelissaMcCart]

My puppy charley is weirdly finicky about treats. I think I'm going to make these in the form of squirrel cutouts and see how she likes them. She loves chicken broth,especially when it's drizzled over shaved ice for a chicken sno cone. (: Thanks for this!

[lindy]

I have some cookie cutters shaped like various kinds of cats, which might appeal to some dogs as much as a squirrel, I guess. This would include my brother's German Shepherd, Kasi, who apparently views most cats as potential meals. I also have one shaped like a German Shepherd....

I too suffer from a conflicted impulse to post things about my pets (cats, here). I am inhibited not only by fear of scorn, but also by the fact that I have rarely taken a decent picture of a cat. I'm working on it though. Frankly, I have a hard time believing that anyone could fail to be won over, if only they could actually see them.

[yt]

Thanks for the pics and stories. They sound just like my pair. Only instead of balls, little guy likes to fetch and carry sticks. Regarding traffic tickets and dogs? I got out of a ticket because the officer thought MY DOG was cute. (That's how you know when you're getting older.)

[Traci]

Oh, what a cute dog. I think pet blogging is perfectly acceptable - even on food blogs. Especially on food blogs. Only the coolest people love food and their pets, right?

[angela]

I know I only know you through the internet, but I think you are super cool for making doggy treats and posting it on your blog. Bravo!

[angela]

Yikes, I sounded 16 in the last post....as if... Seriously, it is nice to break the "rules" every once in a while, expecially when the dog is smiling!

[ann]

YES! I am so glad you finally posted about at least one of your dogs!!!
God is she a stunner or what??
I love the image of her jumping up and down in your lap while the cops are talking to you... I had a mutant 100lb black lab when i was a kid and he used to do stuff like that
he really did think he was a lap dog :-)
Thanks Julie, and happy bday Annabelle!

[Nicola]

Oh Julie...Annabelle is lovely. I too am willing to be buried in more dog stories and pics...I have four dogs in my nearby life who need these snacks (I might even try them on the cats - maybe smaller cutouts)...I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. I loved that post (and by the way! I love that kitchen! - what kind of life stuff has happened there?)
Nicky

[Ellen]

The first rule of blogging is, photos of long-haired German shepherds are welcome on any blog, any time! Speaking of which, I have something for you (that is, in addition to all your kitchen remodeling books, which I haven't forgotten).

[Homesick Texan]

Lovely dog and gorgeous kitchen!

[lobstersquad]

I´m always ready to read about other dogs. Cats I´ll never get, but your dogs are adorable. My labrador always likes to greet people with something in her mouth, usually her own bed. It´s pretty big, and bumps into everything, scaterring all low-lying bric-a-brac. Socks would be a good move for her, I´ll try and convince her.

[Julie]

Yes, Mrs A, Annabelle Denise IS cute! I'm glad to hear you say so.

Anne, thanks. And I think the dog-shaped dog treats are a great idea.

Will, I am working on the cat treat thing. Stay tuned.

Cazza, you nailed it. Especially the telling of tales.

Vanessa, I think they make a good Christmas present for the four-footed set.

Tanna, good to know that I'm not the only one with a defective inner Martha.

Sher, I know I certainly enjoy the adventures of Upsie on your blog.

Margaret, thanks! I think Abbi's golden-doodle will enjoy these.

Ah, Miz S, be careful what you ask for...

blue plate, thank you for the birthday wishes and for mentioning how sweet Annabelle looks. It does a mother's heart good.

Mrs. S, # 8 is pretty impressive. She's a big-snouted girl.

Anna Maria, these dog biscuits are so easy you can make them even if your inner Martha is passed out drunk on the couch. (I suspect my inner Martha of this.)

Bets, Nellie was the sweetest dog ever, three-legged and all.

Melissa, chicken stock over shaved ice is quite the sophisticated dog treat.

Lindy, I have seen pictures of your cats and they are definitely blog-worthy! They were most adorable.

yt, I think I'm fairly safe from ever being pulled over because a cop thinks my dog is cute. Or thinks that I am cute, for that matter.

Thanks, Traci, I'm going to point that out to my friend Mrs A.

angela, thanks! And you're right, Annabelle does look like she's smiling!

ann, I know I'm prejudiced but I think she's a stunner too. Thanks for saying so.

hey, nic, I've never even thought of trying these on our cat. Hhhmmm...

Ellen, you need to come over and get your long-haired German shepherd fix!

Thank you, HT!

lobstersquad, I think greeting with the bed in the mouth might be even worse than our previous dog who liked to race into the bathroom and get the toilet bowl brush to greet with. But you're right, there could be lots worse things than socks.

[Christine]

Awww Happy Birthday Annabelle! I'm sorry I missed it. And wow, 2 tennis balls?! :)

Julie, please don't stop posting about your dogs. They are such a joy to read about and look at. :)

[Anne]

What a sweet baby! I love your dog and I love that she's a tattletale. I was too, so I relate.

[Tiny Banquet Committee]

Harrumph for "supposed to be a food blog" and any other supposed-to-be's, and besides, doggie biscuits are food! Annabelle is adorable. Also, as a recent law school grad I have to add that the idea of her carrying around a civ. proc. outline in her mouth makes my toes curl with anxiety.

[B.J.]

oh my goodness your kitchen is spectacular! I'm so jealous!

[Cara Fletcher]

Have you heard of dogs picky eaters? Well,I haven't but I have one at home. :)
She is really tough to carry for and she picks only things she likes not what I buy her.

[Wellness dog food]

Annabelle is such an adorable dog.

It is the best choice to have a dog (as from a dog lover's point of view!) no matter what crisis we are having. The Homemade Dog Food Recipes is wonderful. Especially when many pet foods issue around these days...

[katy]

#4 is a good trait for adog to have!!! she is absolutely adorable -- and i have two dogs who've made occasional appearances on my food blog, and i love reading about others' pets! excellent recipe!

[White On Rice Couple]

Yeah for you for writing this post! Look at that adorable tongue! Annabelle is beautiful and thanks for sharing all these stories about her.
Those biscuits look great and the shapes are so cute!

[AroriaPar]

I was exactly looking for something like that. Tell me about my open limits I have a nice joke for you) What do you get if you cross a giant and a vampire? A BIG pain in the neck!