Puppy Love: Homemade Dog Biscuits

On any given day of the week, you could walk into my shop and find my two fur-babies greeting customers at the door.  They have become part of the scenery, part of the experience even part of shopping at Southern Chic.  There are regulars who stop in just to visit Stanley and Scruffy, and most are lucky enough to sneak a quick pic of Stanley chillaxin’ on the stool behind the register.  No, he isn’t working; he’s supervising.  ;)

Stanley wears pink for breast cancer awareness

My boys equal the sum of my love.  They are my family, my companions, my comic relief, and sometimes my security.   I realize how lucky I am to be in a position where I can have them with me at work.  Very lucky indeed.  And we are also lucky to have so many friends who appreciate their presence in the shop.

Working hard after their first summer hair cut

Though my vet may not believe me because of some overweight issues we have had in the past, I do care about what and how much they eat.  I would no more let them gorge themselves on fat-laden, over-processed foods than I would let my husband eat a cheeseburger every day (which, I assure you, he would definitely do if left to his own devices!).  ;)

Look at those faces!  I couldn’t give them anything that would be bad for them!  {Even though they are rotten!}  ;)

Both of these guys are almost 7 years old.  I just don’t know where the time has gone!  Sometimes it seems like they should still be puppies.  But most of the time it feels like they’ve been in my life forever.  I couldn’t imagine my day without either one of these rotten boys at my side.  :)   Hopefully, I won’t have to for a long, long time.

This homemade dog biscuit recipe comes from Kitchen Confidante.  It is simple and easy and only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Homemade Dog Treats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup oats

1/2 cup flax seed

1/2 – 1 cup beef OR chicken broth

1/4 peanut butter 

Preheat oven to 350°.   Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats and flax seed.  Stir until well mixed.  Add peanut butter and 1/2 cup broth.  Mix until everything is well-incorporated, adding more broth if needed.

Form into a ball and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.  Roll out to about 1-inch thickness.

Using choice of cookie cutters, cut dough out.  {Here, I’m using mini-wedding style cutters of hearts and flowers b/c I want to keep these treats as small portions.}

Place cutouts onto lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes.  Flip and continue baking for 8-10 minutes.  Cool and keep in airtight container.

A final note:  Both of these boys were rescues.  At the time they found their way to me, no one else wanted them.  Stanley was a 7-week old baby that we took in when our only pet was a 6-year old cat {George, who has since gone on to kitty heaven}.  Scruffy came along a few years later.  He was about 3 yrs old, starved and terrified of everyone and everything.  :(   So sad!  But we gave him a secure and loving home, and now he is happy, confidant and sassy!  :)

If you are looking for a pet, don’t over look the need around you.  Strays and shelter dogs and cats need loving homes, and they usually make the best pets because they are grateful for being saved!  Some of them may take extra time and extra love; but, trust me, it is always worth it!  I know, because it took Scruffy about a year and a half before he ever wagged his tail or played with a toy!  His rehabilitation took time and lots and lots of patience.  But I would never change a thing.  :)