Give a Dog a Bone

Alllllmost got it.  Courtesy of Agilityfusion.com.

When it's cookie baking time at our house, Max and Bella camp out in the door to the kitchen anxiously awaiting the ding of the timer. My little monkeys have quickly learned that when the timer dings, good things suddenly appear out of the big white box in the kitchen. My guys get treats and they get them often but for many dogs, treats are a distant memory or a completely unknown concept. Not all shelters have treats to give out or are able to keep enough around to give them more than every once in a while. If you love to bake, want a great family project or are just looking for some instant and slobbery gratitude, bake a bunch of cookies and visit your local shelter or animal control facility. You will become an instant rock star to all those waiting for their forever families.

To get started, there are tons of simple and yummy recipes that you can easily get your hands on. Most book stores and libraries carry dog cook books but even quicker is to google "dog cookie recipes" and you'll have enough to keep you going for 6 lifetimes. I'll even eliminate that step and share this one for Homemade Carrot, Date and Oatmeal cookies recently featured in PETA's newsletter.

Vegan Carrot, Date, and Oatmeal Treats
1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 cup instant unsweetened oatmeal
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup finely chopped or grated raw carrots
2 Tbsp. pitted and finely chopped dates
1/2 cup natural unsalted peanut butter (I'm going to use almond butter.)
1/2 cup filtered water

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, and baking powder. Make a well in the center.
• Place the carrots and dates in a separate bowl with the peanut butter and water.
• Add the peanut butter mix to the well in the flour mix and stir until combined.
• Flatten the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is approximately 1/4-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the treats.
• Arrange on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 14 to16 minutes, or until dry.
• Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Makes 40 servings

I'll be trying this one out tomorrow and will let you know whether they get two paws up.