Category Archives: holiday tips

A Dog’s New Years Resolutions

New Year’s Eve is almost here… some tips from last year that are still relevant.

http://celiasue.com/2011/12/29/party-animals-play-it-safe-for-new-years-eve/

Do you set goals? Write New Year’s Resolutions?

http://celiasueink.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/new-years-resolutions-for-champs/

Some dogs who are ready to party hardy…

Screen shot 2012-12-28 at 10.14.22 AM

http://thefw.com/new-years-dogs/

Fun New Years Resolutions for Pets, check out Animal Planet’s ‘official’ pet resolutions!

Cici’s Top 22 New Years Resolutions

1. Eat more treats. (Have Mom, get more Dr. Harvey’s Power Patties).

2. Scavenge for more food other than the bread left out for the birds.

3. Get more belly rubs.

4. Give more kisses.

5. Take more walks and runs at the park.

6. Get yourself to the beach and swim.

7. BOYCOTT  BATHS, and NO SLATHERING CREAMS.

8. Chase more cats, squirrels and birds.

9. Dream more about chasing cats, squirrels and birds.

10. Dine on fine cuisine and travel more.

11. Play more with neighbor dogs.

12. Start a barkday list a few months early.

13. Hoover the food off the kitchen floor while it’s fresh.

14. Dig a hole in the back yard to recline in for the spring/summer.

15. Squirm out of taking photos and dressing up.

16. Learn how to drive to feel my fur in the wind.

17. Be a good ambassador and END BSL.

18. No more itchies.

19. Make more doggie friends.

20. Eat more.

21. Get more bones, deer antler chews and Chew On.

22. Help doggie pals get adopted.

  • Feel free to share your pet’s resolutions in the comments.  We wish you and your furries a very happy and healthy 2013!

 

 

 

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

 

About these ads

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Filed under adoption, animal planet, bathing your dog, belly rubs, birds in sky, bones, boycott, breed specific laws, dog dreams, dog kisses, dog treats, dogs, dreams, end dog racism, exercise your dog, food, holiday tips, K9 approved, keep pets safe, pet blog hop, pet care, pet food, pet friendly dining, Uncategorized

pain is the pits

I was diagnosed with fibro in 1996… have relieved 98% of my symptoms and agree that PET THERAPY of the pit bull variety kind helps a lot… since pibbles are funny dogs… goofy… warm… cuddly and silly… much comic relief, lots of laugh, plus calming warmth and an abundance of licks… of course I am biased…

pain is the pits… this morning my lower back was hurting, cici is applying her special therapy upon it and my back feels better already…

http://www.fmnetnews.com/latest-news/pet-therapy-reduces-fibromyalgia-pain

more about how I have relieved my pain from fibro is here…

loved that Animal Planet had pit bull puppies in their Too Cute segment but miss Pit Bulls and Parolees, which will be on again January 5.  below is just a Dogs 101 segment about American Pit Bull Terriers…

http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/american-pit-bull.htm

what do you think????

merry pitti

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Filed under all you need is a dog, All you need is love, animals, aromatherapy, au natural dog, Best Friends, cats, comedy, doggie healing center, dogs, Don't worry be happy, four paws up, happy holidays, holiday tips, justforlaughs, K9 approved, pit bull, puppy love, self help, silly dog, sleeping with your dog, true love

Holiday gift guide for pets plus

This holiday season, nearly 63 percent of dog owners and 58 percent of cat owners will be buying Christmas gifts for their furry friends, according to the American Humane Association.

Aromatherapy dog gift set

Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Treatment Experience For Pets is a natural, therapeutic and effective pet care regimen and makes a wonderful gift set. The Rose Essential Oil hand poured soy candle smells yummy while balancing the body/mind. also comes in Jasmine and Wildwood scents. The gift set also includes Rose Aromatherapy Shampoo & Conditioner For Pets, Rose Aromatherapy Freshening & Shining Spray For Pets and a lovely Logo Tote Bag.

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http://www.gerrardlarriett.com/balancing-rose-aromatherapy-deodorizing-soy-candle-for-pets.html

Books

Adalyn’s Clare is a heartwarming, adventure-filled story that draws attention to the realities of social anxiety and the need to help create meaningful relationships for children who have difficulty making friends in grade school – just like Adalyn.

Author Kari Dunn Buron developed an Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate program for educators at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and has done volunteer work specific to autism around the world.

Adalyn, a smart but lonely fourth grader, is not very good at finding human friends but loves animals and is a whiz at science. Her favorite place in the whole world is the science room where her “animal best friends” live. In fact, Adalyn knows details about animals and the places they inhabit that most of us would never know or remember.

Adalyn often finds people confusing and frustrating, which in turn causes her a great deal of worry and often gets her into trouble. Clare is a therapy puppy. When Clare gets assigned to help Adalyn calm her anxieties and help her find (human) friends, it seems like a tall order for a 3-month-old puppy. But Clare takes it in her stride. It’s during these times when Adalyn worries that Clare creeps up close and gently puts her chin on Adalyn’s foot to reassure her. Together they wait, silently and relaxed, until Adalyn’s nerves start to get smaller.  Recommended for young readers in grades 3-6.

http://www.aapcpublishing.net/book/view/701/adalyns-clare

9781426744174

Dogs teach unconditional love. The purr of a kitten can bring peace. Horses show us how to harness our strength with grace.

Paws to Reflect offers gentle daily reflections for those who seek to grow spiritually by observing the animal kingdom and all the lessons it teaches.  This is a Christian book.

GRILL-ICIOUS™ (Loving Pets)

http://www.lovingpetsproducts.com/pet-treats/grill-icious

Cici LOVES these delicious treats. She sits there and DROOLS until I give her one.

Add sizzle to your pet treat assortment with Loving Pets’ new Grill-icious, 100% all-natural Beef, Chicken and Turkey treats. available in both Regular and “Bite Size” treats. Made in the USA from USA-grown ingredients, these lean and tasty meat treats mixed with a touch of antioxidant-rich sweet potato will light a fire in dog’s taste buds. Each treat is naturally seared over a hot grill to seal in a juicy flavor dogs love. Continuing its commitment to pure, unprocessed ingredients, Loving Pets’ GRILL-ICIOUS™ recipe contains no gluten, byproducts, or preservatives. These all-natural treats are made in the USA, and contain only 100% USA farm-grown ingredients.

Designer and Expressions Bella Bowls™ (Loving Pets)

http://www.lovingpetsproducts.com/pet-accessories/bella-bowl-designer-collection

Loving Pets’ #1 selling, dishwasher safe BELLA BOWLS™ are now available in eight new designer prints.  Designer and Expressions Bella Bowls™ bring a new level of style to Veterinarian-recommended stainless steel.  Cici and I love her new bowl…

For Dog Lovers:

•    Classic Pink Argyle

•    Playful Turquoise Dragonflies

•    Antique Gold Fleur-de-Lis

•    Compassionate Valentine Red Hearts

•    Contemporary Silver “Bow-Wow”

•    Whimsical Steel Blue “I Love My Dog”

Slow down, Fido… Cici scarfs up her food, she eats sooos fast, you’d think it was her last meal. Food gulping isn’t only a messy habit that’s difficult to break, but a behavior that can lead to vomiting, choking, bloat and digestive issues. Plus, eager eaters don’t realize how much they just ate, so they keep begging for between-meal treats that can quickly turn into extra pounds. Fortunately, now there’s an innovative way for pet parents to end this “feeding frenzy” by turning mealtime into a challenging, entertaining game.
The Company of Animals presents GREEN by NORTHMATE – an innovative “turf placemat” for pets that turns mealtime into a fun , stimulating game. Just scatter a handful of kibble or two across the deeply sculpted surface. Then it’s up to the dog or cat to seek out the food in the valleys between the simulated grass blades. Especially recommended for aggressive gulpers and pets on a restricted calorie diet , GREEN prolongs eating time, making meals healthier and more fun . And since this product is made of durable plastic that’s phthalate-free, it’s 100% pet and dishwasher safe.

Brewer’s yeast and garlic helps to repel fleas. You can give your doggie treats and bye bye bugs. This daily nutritional supplement helps support healthy blood sugar levels and can also be especially helpful during flea and tick season and during times of stress. Available in chewable tablets or tasty soft chews!  Cici LOVES them.

http://www.probioticsmart.com/pets/pscpets-brand.html.

Does your doggie have bad breath? PlaqClnz may be the answer. For fresh breath and good oral care, go to www.plaqclnz.com for more details.
    Its zinc-based formula works to stop bad breath (a warning sign of deteriorating gum and teeth conditions) while it guards against the build-up of plaque and tarter. Most dogs 3+ years already have the signs.

Are your pets scratching up the house? Then SoftClaws nail caps for dogs and indoor cats could help. The caps mute scratching damage and avoids cat declawing…a big issue for cat parents.
    See www.softclaws.net  for details, size and color selections. These were invented by a vet.
    When you travel with your dog/cat, putting these on helps to avoid tearing up car upholstery, hotel furnishings, strangers’ clothing and more.

To apply, fill each vinyl nail cap with the adhesive that’s provided, then slide it on over your dog’s toenail. It stays on for 4-6 weeks.

Each low-cost nail kit comes with 40 nail caps, the adhesive that secures them onto your dog’s toenails, and simple instructions.

You can place them only on the front paws or on your dog’s front and back paws.

lg_9579_8050

for the humans

Mighty Mug is great for pet parents and parents, people like me who are clumsy and spill everything. I LOVE IT. (only wish it came in PURPLE). This mug is amazing. powered by patented Smartgrip Technology which allows Mighty to resist tipping over and spilling that cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee all over your pants (or even worse your computer). The best part about the Mighty Mug is that it knows the difference between an accidental knock and going in for a sip. If you can imagine a mug that won’t fall over even when punched but lifts naturally then you gotta try one for yourself, your favorite pet parent or computer geek coffee drinker.

Chia seeds bars

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these bars. Give the gift of CHIA this holiday season! these yummy bars are healthy, easy to bring with you to the dog park, traveling and/or to carry in your purse. Filled with Omega 3 and tasty… I love the ACAI BERRY and also the COCONUT bars. They also come in PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE flavor… great replacement to the high-sugar, empty-calorie-filled, non-nutrient providing candy all too often around the house during the holidays. They have only 100 calories and 5g of sugar per serving. And best of all, there are actual health BENEFITS to eating them: Chia provides six times more calcium than whole milk, six times more protein than soy, 15 times more magnesium than broccoli does, twice the fiber then bran flakes, and nearly nine times the amount of omega-3s found in salmon.

download

CreationScapes offers a gift of tranquility; a way to reduce stress that rejuvenates mind, body and spirit.  breathtaking beauty and sounds of nature, set to soothing music that calms, refreshes and inspires – all without leaving home!   Ahhhhhhhh…

http://www.squidoo.com/handmade-with-love-christmas-gifts-for-pets

http://www.squidoo.com/hanukkah-gifts-for-pets

http://www.squidoo.com/stocking-stuffers-for-dogs-and-puppies

 

 

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop code

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Filed under animal books, aromatherapy, bathing your dog, belly rubs, cats, dog friendly, dog health, dog travel, dog treats, doggie breath, dogs, eco friendly/green, family friendly, four paws up, gift giving, gifts for your dog, happy holidays, holiday gifts, holiday music, holiday spirit, holiday tips, K9 approved, K9 travel, keep pets safe, pet blog hop, pet care, product review, tis the season, Uncategorized

a very doggie holiday

Tis the season to be a dog… well, that is year round… but this holiday season, below are some fun activities and dog friendly places to enjoy with your number one best friend.

Have a dog Christmas Eve or Chanukah party! Invite all your friends and their dogs over. While you and your friends enjoy fresh-baked holiday treats and cookies, egg nog and/or hot chocolate, your dog and her furry friends can munch on peanut butter dog biscuits. Do a Secret Santa Paw Pal type gift exchange… ask friends to bring a dog toy for their favorite paw pal.

Take your dog to visit Santa! S/he may have been naughty or nice and have her own wish list. Plus, she’ll enjoy the fun of meeting Santa and you’ll get a photo of your pooch on Santa’s lap to cherish and send to loved ones!

Listen to holiday music, sing songs, go Christmas carolling with your dog and give out dog treats and cookies to your neighbors.

Kosher dog cookies?

chanukah-gift-guide-2012-gallery-1

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/holiday-gift-guide-2012/chanukah-gift-guide-2012-gallery-1.1212617?pmSlide=7

http://www.squidoo.com/dogchristmas

Dog friendly places to take your dog for the holidays

Carmel

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/undercovers/article/Hofsas-House-Carmel-Clean-comfort-at-great-value-2339756.php

Idyllwild

http://idyllwildtowncrier.com/2012/11/27/opinion-a-4-legged-christmas-wish-list/

Mendocino

MacCallum House, Little River Inn, Stanford Inn, all great places to stay

http://dogtime.com/ten-signs-a-bed-breakfast-has-tlc-true-love-for-canines.html

Newport Beach

From large Huskies to tiny Chihuahuas, every dog imaginable is welcomed in what many describe as the “Canine Coast.” With pet-friendly accommodations, stores, beaches and parks, Newport Beach is the ideal destination for a holiday getaway with your pet Fido, Fifi, Bolt or Lassie.

http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/things-to-do/holidaylights/

located in dog friendly Vermont…the perfect dog friendly winter wonderland vacation

http://www.pawhouseinn.com/

pet friendly mountain getaway in the countryside 30 minutes from Asheville, NC. no size restrictions.

http://www.pondercove.com/

pet friendly farm stay in Va

http://www.cornerstonefarm.net/animals.html

pet friendly poconos mountains with lots of fun activities for you and your pooch from canoeing, wineries, a blueberry farm, horse farm, state parks, trails, arctic paws dog sled tours, mansions, museums and more…

http://www.800poconos.com/vacation-packages/pet-friendly-vacations/hotels/

new england, new hampshire, vermont, connecticut, maine and massachusetts offer many pet friendly places to stay and activities

http://www.nhliving.com/lodging/petfriendly/index.shtml

  • Nothing’s more iconic than spending Christmas in New York. The Affinia Manhattan and Skyline Hotel New York are both dog-friendly and a short walk away from New York’s most pawpular attractions. To take in the holiday cheer, walk your dog to Rockefeller Center and view the enormous Christmas tree that’s on display each December.
  • Transportation for you and your pooch is easy in the Big Apple. Just hail one of the city’s k-9 cabs.
  • Those visiting the Big Apple can also take their dogs for a winter stroll in Central Park, grab a bite to eat at these dog-friendly restaurants or quench your thirst at one of these bars or coffee shops where wet noses are welcome.

Screen shot 2012-12-04 at 10.22.10 AM

http://www.ilovedogfriendly.com/2012/11/dogfriendly-christmas-destinations/

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Filed under Adventure, beach, California, Carmel, dog friendly, dog parks, dog toys, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, family friendly, four paws up, holiday music, holiday spirit, holiday tips, Idyllwild, K9 approved, K9 travel, Mendocino, paw pals, pet friendly dining, pet friendly lodging, pet friendly winery, pet travel, santa claus, toys and treats, travel, travel with dog, Uncategorized, Vermont

Holiday spirit

well, it is almost Christmas…before you know it…

time to check the balls… I mean, deck the halls… with Bo Obama at the White House  approving the Holiday decorations….he will soon welcome 90,000 visitors to the tune of the ”Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?”

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57556389-10391739/obamas-dog-bo-gets-into-holiday-mischief/

does your dog/pets like Christmas?

is your tree and decor up yet? have your pooches inspected the premises? will the furry ones meet Santa this year? are you in the holiday spirit yet, holiday partying and what gifts are in store if they are good (and even if they are naughty)?

This holiday season, nearly 63 percent of dog owners and 58 percent of cat owners will be buying Christmas gifts for their furry friends, according to the American Humane Association.  Soon, we will share a holiday gift guide or two and holiday pet travel. are you going anywhere FUN for the holidays?

what are you looking forward to this year???  I want to see The Hobbit movie and Les Miserables, coming out soon… (Dec. 14 and Xmas day)…

16110_451810881544568_1143964143_n

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop code

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Filed under Adventure, all you need is a dog, cats, children and dogs, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, first dog Obama family, gifts for your dog, holiday gifts, holiday music, holiday spirit, holiday tips, K9 travel, keep pets safe, pet travel, Uncategorized

turkey day feast for pooches

ok, this year Thanksgiving and my birthday are one and the same day…

so what are you and your dog up to for turkey day (remember, be good, it’s a day to be thankful and grateful and appreciate all you have…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/23/dogs-dressed-like-turkeys_n_786977.html#s188391

Genetically modified ingredients can be an unwelcome and hidden guest at your Thanksgiving celebration. This year, GMO Inside, a new coalition that advocates for increased consumer awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in foods, is offering tips and suggestions for consumers on how to remove unwanted GMOs from their holiday feasts. From identifying GMO–laden products and offering non-GMO alternatives to giving tips on how to help spread the word on genetically engineered foods, GMO Inside hopes to give consumers the information they need to celebrate a non-GMO Thanksgiving.

Alisa Gravitz, president, Green America said: “Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Consumers should be able to do this without worrying about feeding hidden GMOs to their loved ones. GMO Inside’s Thanksgiving campaign allows people to make educated decisions about what will be served at their holiday gathering.”

Some common Thanksgiving products that are suspect for GMOs include: Campbell’s Tomato Soup, Wesson Canola Oil, Bruce’s Yams, Hershey Milk Chocolate, Pepperidge Farm Crackers, Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing, Rice-a-Roni chicken flavored rice, Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, and Kraft’s Stove Top Stuffing. GMO Inside provides alternatives to these foods here:  http://gmoinside.org/launch-thanksgiving/.

If you already purchased holiday food containing GMOs, you can check to see if food containing GMOs has money-back guarantees. If it does, you can send food back to the manufacturer and ask for your money back.

Sixty countries around the world have labeled GMO foods. GMO Inside believes that all U.S. citizens have the right to know what is in the food they eat. Genetically engineered foods have not been adequately tested for human consumption. It is unethical to put an experimental technology into the food Americans feed their families without providing information on the label that allows Americans to choose whether or not their food contains GMOs. Americans deserve to know if there are GMOs inside.
and here are some no no foods to not feed your pooch

http://www.ilovedogs.com/2011/10/10-thanksgiving-foods-dangerous-to-your-dog/#.UKPSAxW-amA

and instead of and/or in addition to eating turkey, you could adopt one… Adopting a turkey is a great way to give “turkey day” a new, kind meaning.

http://thekindlife.com/blog/post/farm-sanctuary-adopt-a-turkey-2012

Anyone want to adopt me??? LOL…

here are some yummy sounding recipe items…

http://thekindlife.com/blog/post/my-thanksgiving-menu-2010

a turkey day feast for pooches

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=3678

If you’re looking for a delicious grain-free treat for your pooch, follow a standard turkey meatball recipe and omit the breadcrumbs. Here is one of our grain-free personal favorites:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. sweet basil
1 1/2 tsp. parsley
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup romano or parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients together and roll into small balls. Place shaped meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

http://dogs-a-jammin.tumblr.com/post/1659924222/thanksgiving-dog-treat-recipes

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Filed under dog treats, dogs, eco friendly/green, family friendly, food, four paws up, Happy Thanksgiving, healthy dog food, holiday tips, homemade dog food, keep pets safe, organic, pet care, pet food, toxic food for pets, turkey, Uncategorized

Pumpkin is good for dogs

    • Pumpkins are everywhere… I got some pumpkin butter from Trader Joe’s, have not tried it yet…Pumpkin is good for dog tummies…

      “adding two teaspoons of canned pumpkin in you dog’s food helps the digestion process”

      http://raisinghealthydogs.com/discover-the-health-benefits-of-canned-pumpkin-for-dogs

      I made my own version of this pumpkin meat loaf with ground turkey for cici and she loved it…Healthy Digestion Pumpkin Meatloaf

      AllNaturalPetCare.com

      1.5 pounds lean ground beef
      1 cup mashed or unseasoned canned pumpkin
      1 egg
      2 TBSP plain active yogurt
      1 tsp aloe juice
      1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
      1 cup of finely chopped parsley
      1/2 cup peas
      1 cup finely chopped cooked greens, such as turnip greens
      1.5 cups rice infant cereal
      1 tsp seaweed/algae
      1 tsp calcium montmorillonite clay
      1 tsp paprika
      1/2 tsp cinnamon
      * Optional supplements

      Preheat oven: 350F
      Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
      Pack firmly into loaf pan greased with extra virgin olive oil.
      Bake for about 1.5 hours.
      Cool & slice.
      This meatloaf freezes very well in convenient, single-slice portions

      this sounds yummy and I think can be adapted for dogs, too…

      Pumpkin Whoopie pie

    • This Wicked Pumpkin Whoopie Pies recipe is adapted from the recipe printed on the 207 Show’s web site on WCSH6.com (the NBC TV affiliate in Portland, Maine). I have not changed the substance of the recipe, but I have revised the wording a bit for clarity and added some of my own helpful tips and notes in italics.
  • I have broken out this recipe into two parts — the pumpkin whoopie pie shells recipeand the cream cheese whoopie pie filling recipe — to make it easier to follow since the cake shells and filling are made separately and then sandwiched together.

Ingredients

  • 1 15 oz can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (heaping)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Grease a large cookie sheet or line it with parchment paperand set it aside.

I always have needed two or more cookie sheets for mine, but it depends on the size of the scoops you use (which also determines the number of whoopie pies this recipe will make).2. Beat pumpkin, eggs, oil, and brown sugar together until fluffy with an electric mixerStir in the molasses.

A handheld mixer is fine.3. Combine the dry ingredients together and mix them into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. The batter will be thick (it should hold its shape when placed on the cookie sheet).

Make sure you measure 3 heaping cups of flour (approximately 3 1/2 level cups) and 2firmly packed cups of brown sugar so you get the correct amounts of each in the batter.

Also, feel free to use different spices if you prefer. For example, if you don’t care for ginger, you could substitute a smaller quantity of nutmeg.4. Scoop large, rounded spoonfuls of the cake batter onto the prepared cookie sheet(s), spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

Feel free to make your whoopie pie shells larger or smaller by changing the size of the mounds of batter. Remember to adjust the baking time accordingly and keep a close eye on the cakes so you don’t under- or over-bake them.

Both Amy and I recommend using an ice cream scoop to remove the same amount of cake batter for each whoopie pie shell and to form the batter into neat, uniform mounds. Using the ice cream scoop to portion and shape the batter helps you make cake shells that are uniformly sized with round edges that are easy to match up in pairs, rather than the unevenly sized shells with wonky edges that often form when anything other than a scoop is used.5. Bake the whoopie pie shells for 10-13 minutes (depending on the size scoop or spoon you used to portion the batter).

6. Cool the whoopie pie shells on a large wire cooling rack while you make the cream cheese filling with marshmallow creme / fluff (see recipe below).

7. When the whoopie pie shells have cooled, turn over half of them (flat side facing up) and place a scoop of cream cheese filling in the center of each cake shell. Top with the remaining cake shells.

Use the same ice cream scoop you used to portion out the cake batter to top half the cake shells with a mound of the cream cheese filling.

Ingredients

  • 6 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 c.) unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 3 heaping tablespoons marshmallow creme (such as Marshallow Fluff)
  • 2 teaspoons water

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Note: 3 heaping tablespoons of marshmallow creme is equal to approximately 4 level tablespoons of fluff.2. Sandwich pairs of cooled pumpkin whoopie pie shells together with scoops of this cream cheese filing.

http://www.squidoo.com/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-delicious-halloween-and-fall-treats#module162356029

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups (200g) flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup (200 g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin purée*
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped walnuts

* To make pumpkin purée, cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff, lie face down on a foil or Silpat lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 min to an hour. Cool, scoop out the flesh. Freeze whatever you don’t use for future use. Or, if you are working with pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, then remove and discard the skin.

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

2 Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.

3 Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.

Can easily double the recipe.

Yield: Makes one loaf.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin_bread/

http://icanhas.cheezburger.com/dogs/tag/pumpkin/page/4#post-3514484736

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 large eggs
2/3 cup pumpkin purée, canned or fresh
3 tbsps peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place all ingredients in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium for about a minute or until the dough looks like a bunch of little dough balls. If you pinch a piece and it crumbles, add a little water. If it’s really sticky, it’s too wet and you’ll need to add a little flour. Gather the dough together and form into a ball. Place on a lightly floured work surface and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. You can either use a cookie cutter to cut out cute shapes or use a knife to cut squares or strips. I am pretty sure the dog doesn’t care, but I rather prefer the cute shapes. I gather the scraps together and roll them out again and again until I’ve used up the dough. Place the cookies on a baking sheet. They can be crowded pretty close together since they don’t expand much. Bake 15-20 minutes for softer treats or 30 minutes for hard treats (Kaweah likes crunchy treats, just like her person – me). Let cool completely. Makes 100+ 1-inch heart-shaped dog treats.

http://userealbutter.com/2012/04/18/pumpkin-peanut-butter-dog-treats-recipe/

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Tips for Howloween

With Halloween just around the corner, I’d like to give you a few reminders or suggestions on how to help your animal family through the festivities.  This can be a stressful time for many animals and there are ways to mitigate that. I’ve also included some photos just for fun.

1.  If your animal is stressed or scared by strange noises or unusual looking people, be sure to keep them securely locked in a quiet room in your house on Halloween. All those loud kids in scary costumes can be really upsetting.  This will also ensure that your cat or dog doesn’t bolt out the door when the trick or treaters show up.  A nice room with some calming music would be a perfect place for the evening.

2. You can also start giving them some Rescue Remedy (just three drops) in the water dish each day, for a few days before the 31st.  That will help to release any stress or anxiety and keep them calmer.

3. Don’t forget that dogs are allergic to chocolate, so if you have a big bowl of candy at the door waiting for the trick or treaters, be sure that your pup doesn’t help himself.  The same is true for bags of goodies your kids bring home from their rounds.  It’s really easy for dogs to get into the chocolate right now and that could be a bad situation. Xylitol, a sugar free sweetener, is very poisonous to dogs and some other small mammals, and is found in many candies and baked good. Signs of chocolate toxicity include tremors, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate and sometimes seizures and death. If you suspect that your dog has eaten something toxic and he exhibits any of these symptoms, call your vet right away.

4. The ingredients in candy are not the only problem.  Many dogs will eat the wrappers and sticks and this can cause an intestinal blockage.  So keep the candy far, far away.

5. Don’t leave lighted candles or jack-o-lanterns where the animals can get to them. Cats and dogs may stick their nose over the flame to investigate, or they can tip them over.

6.  Some animals love to “dress up” and others hate it. Don’t make your animal friend wear a costume unless they really love it. Never leave an animal in a costume alone – they can chew it up and ingest it, get it caught on something or hurt themselves trying to get out of it.

7. Halloween is a great time to drop by your local shelter with some treats for the cats and dogs waiting for a home. It’s even better if you can come in costume and brighten the staff’s day.

Halloween can be a fun time for people and animals and with a little planning, everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.

Note:   I would add that if you have a black cat, make sure that you keep it indoors. Pranksters have been known to harm black cats during this holiday so keep your kitties safe.

10 more tips from Victoria Stilwell

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Filed under cats, chocolate, chocolate goodies, dogs, halloween for dogs, holiday tips, keep pets safe, Uncategorized

Bacon and Eggnog and Feathers, oh my

Some essential items for your pooch for New Year’s Eve…

Cici’s funny feathers

Feather Extensions are the HOTTEST trend around! Now your furry friend can join the trend!

Pet Plumes come with five feathers, ranging from 2 – 5 inches, and are bonded at the tip. Pet plumes are sold individually and are intended for animals.

http://finefeatherheads.com/petplumes

You can try to tickle your dog’s funny bones… Cici was NOT amused.   Or you could add feathers and bling to your dog’s collar…

Or make your dog a New Year’s hat…and add the feathers to the hat…

http://www.sewdoggystyle.com/2011/12/happy-new-year-2012.html

Amazon offers Dom Perignon Champagne dog toys…

doggie treats and biscuits

http://doggydessertchef.com/2011/09/30/bacon-wrapped-chicken-2/

Bacon wrapped chicken

Ingredients
2 Chicken breasts, cut in half
4 slices Bacon
4 ounces (8 tablespoons) Cream Cheese
4 tablespoons Butter

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Pound chicken breasts until they are approximity 1/2 inches thick.
3. Spread 2 tablespoons of cream cheese on each chicken breasts and tops with 1 tablespoon of butter.
4. Wrap in a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
5. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes,  juices run clear when chicken is pierced.
6. Remove toothpicks and slice to serve.

You could probably substitute turkey or chicken franks for the chicken…

http://www.dog-treat-recipe-exchange.com/peanut-butter-dog-treat-recipes

Peanut Butter and Cheese Dog Treats

1 cup flour
½ cup milk
2 Tbs peanut butter
2 Tbs grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg white
1 Tbs chicken broth

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C).

Mix flour and milk until lumpy. Add Peanut butter and chicken broth. Mix parmesan cheese with first four ingredients. Add egg white. Mix well or until it has the consistency of pancake batter. Add baking powder. Pour onto cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray, in 3-inch diameter blobs. Cook until golden brown.

Serve cool.

http://doggydessertchef.com/2011/12/23/gingerbread-biscotti/

Gingerbread Biscotti

Ingredients
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/2 tablespoon Cinnamon
1/2 cup Molasses
3/4 Cup Milk
1 cup Yogurt Chips or/and Carob Chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Combine dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Add molasses and milk to dry mix and knead until all ingredients are well mixed.
3. Form dough into flat logs about 6 inches wide and 1 inch high. Bake on prepared baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes then cut logs into 1 inch slices.
4. Place slices on greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the slices are as dry and crunchy. Allow to cool.
5. Once cooled melt yogurt chips and dip biscotti until end is coated. Allow to harden and refrigerate.
Makes 1 to 2 dozen biscotti.

http://doggydessertchef.com/2011/12/20/apple-cider/apple-cider3/

Apple Cider Bones

Ingredients
1/3 cup Apple Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Orange, juiced
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
4 tablespoons Butter
1 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl mix all ingredients stirring well.
3. Knead dough into ball and roll onto a floured surface 1/4 inch thick. Cut with the cookie cutter of your choice.
4. Use a fork to poke holes in the top of the biscuits.
5. Place on your prepared cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool and refrigerate.
Makes 3 dozen Bones.

http://www.squidoo.com/holiday-dog-smoothie

Doggie Egg Nog!

1 container plain low fat, organic yogurt
1 jar of organic baby food (seasonal veggies and meat is our favorite), or you can make your own by adding some boiled unseasoned chicken, carrots, green beans, a little yam or plain pumpkin to your food processor and blend smooth).
1 free range egg
1 1/2 cups filtered water

Blend all ingredients and serve in stainless steel bowls with a sprinkling of ground flax seed, and top with a nice banana slice. Be sure and refrigerate unused portions.

NO NUTMEG FOR DOGS!

NOTE: You may like a dash of Nutmeg atop your egg nog, but it should never be given to your dog. High levels of nutmeg can be quite dangerous for dogs. Symptoms of ingestion include seizures, tremors, central nervous system problems, and possible death.

Time for our weekly Pet Blog Hop thanks to Life with Dogs,Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  Grab the code and hop away

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Filed under dog friendly, dog toys, dog treats, dogs, happy holidays, holiday tips, homemade dog food, keep pets safe, pet blog hop, pet care, Uncategorized

Very Important Dog in Las Vegas

Hi, I’m Arbor, a Labrador/Border Collie mix and a rescue from the Animal Foundation here in Las Vegas. I’m a girl, about two years of age. Note: Arbor is our new Rover Reporter. I enjoy attention, people swarm me wanting to know why there was a dog at the hotel or why I was wearing a camera.  Seems as though most people were unfamiliar with the Pet Stay program.  I also loved all the attention the Flamingo staff showered me with.  They were incredible!  Dogs are not typically allowed to spend time in the casino so it was a rare treat for me and my parents to get that kind of access.  Who knows, I may have even made Flamingo history as the first dog at the blackjack table.

I thought it would be fun to strap a GoPro camera on my back and give you a tour of Vegas from a dog’s point of view! The first hotel I visited was the Flamingo. While shooting, I was spotted by a VIP host who naturally couldn’t resist my star quality and gave me the full VID (Very Important Dog) treatment, including some time at the Blackjack table. Who knows, I might have even made Flamingo history as the first dog to have ever played cards at this historic hotel!

If you are want to bring your dog to Sin city Las Vegas, check out some of the pet friendly hotels listed here…

http://celiasue.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/an-insiders-view-las-vegas-pet-friendly/

Vegas is a great destination for New Year’s Eve… Party with your pooch, could be FUN !

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Lake-Las-Vegas-Hotel/specials/pet/WoofieWeekends

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Filed under all you need is a dog, animal stars, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, funny, guest blog, holiday tips, justforlaughs, K9 approved, Las Vegas, pet travel, spoil your dog rotten, Uncategorized