Just like Children!

Sometimes I think that having dogs is just like having children. It has been raining all day today and the dogs were bored. Our walk was of the shortest as it really was throwing it down and the footpaths had all been transformed into glutinous mud. The tide was in, so heading for our beach was no good either! Then they weren't allowed to take up their favourite positions by the gate where they like to look out for our neighbours, the postie and anybody else who might come along.

So they fidgeted and wriggled, bounced and bickered and were generally annoying, rather like small children on a rainy day and, like small children, needed to be amused. Now, for Christmas, Amy received a rather good present - K-9 Cookbook - Easy to make Dog Biscuit Recipes. As she has finally managed to lose the weight the vet recommended, I thought we'd give one of the more luxurious recipes a try. "Come on dogs," I said, "we're going to make Spot's golden cheese dreams."

Boredom vanished in an instant as we all headed for the kitchen. We measured and mixed, patted and baked. They were allowed the scrapings from the bowl, and the picture above shows them enjoying the savoury aromas wafting through the air as they waited for the biscuits to emerge from the oven. Well, they were delicious. The recipe's below if anyone wants to try for themselves ... and I don't think they'll stay in our Pet Treat tin for long!

"Goodbye rainy day blues," said the newfs, "this is great, let's do it more often!"

Spot's Golden Cheese Dreams

3 cups (750 ml) whole wheat flour
2 tsps (10 ml) garlic powder
1/2 cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (250 ml) grated (shredded) cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 cup (250 ml) milk

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and garlic powder.
2. Make a well in the flour mixture and gradually stir in vegetable oil, cheese, beaten egg and milk until well blended.
3. Knead dough on a floured surface, about 3-4 minutes.
4. With a rolling pin, roll dough to 1/2" thickness.
5. Cut with K-9 (bone-shaped) biscuit cutter and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
6. Bake 25 minutes at 400F 200C (we used Aga Roasting oven 3rd shelf).
7. Cool on rack (well out of reach!) and store in a container with loose-fitting lid.