A few months after our wedding, Mike and I decided to add a new member to our growing menagerie of animals. We knew we wanted a boxer because of their energy, loyalty, unconditional love and boxer wiggles. Most importantly, we had previous experience with a wonderful boxer name Moe. We filled out applications to a boxer rescue, went through multiple interviews and were finally matched with a two year old brindle boxer named General MacArthur. Lol. "Mac" for short. Armed with tons of doggy toys, a new bed and various books on bringing a new dog home, we were ready to pick Mac up from his foster parents 340 miles away!
Boy, were we wrong. We were spectacularly unprepared for the literal and metaphorical journey. After 12 hours of driving, 2 flat tires and an incredibly anxious dog, we exhaustedly made it back home. Suddenly, bringing a dog home was no longer the joyous event we were hoping for. Instead, we came home to a dog that was so fearful that he destroyed our home and more importantly, self injured. We'd always prided ourselves on being the kind of people who never gave up and rose to meet any tough situation. But less than a week after bringing Mac home, we found ourselves having a frank discussion about taking him back to rescue. During the course of our hour long talk, something changed: we came to the realization that we couldn't give up on Mac. He's a lovely dog that just needed a second chance and, at that moment, we knew we'd try our best to give that chance to Mac. That was five months ago.
Now, Mac is flourishing under our love, care and consideration. With the help of some much needed medication to soothe his anxiety and continued behavioral trainng, he is beginning to calm down. Although we're not completely there yet, we are happy to report that Mac no longer hurts himself. His confidence is growing and much to our happiness, his goofy and protective boxer traits are finally surfacing. In five short months, Mac has reminded us that everyone deserves a second chance and that we have the patience and love to help someone that is just hurting. In five short months, Mac has also become a certified therapy dog and will pass along his happiness to others. Not bad for a little guy who was abandoned.
In celebration of all the hard work that Mac's done to get to where he is now, I thought it would be nice to treat him to some home made cookies. Not only are they better quality than the store bought version, but they are also a kinder alternative to using cookies with animal products. <<side note: please check with your vet regarding any food allergies before you give these or any other food to your pets>>
I hope your babies enjoy it as much as Mac does.
Peanut butter doggy cookies
adapted from ehow.com
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup of peanut butter, chunky or smooth
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
3 cups of flour, sifted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large glass bowl, whisk water, peanut butter and vegetable oil.
Gently mix in 1 cup of flour at a time to the wet ingredients until you have a non-sticky dough. If the dough is still sticky after 3 cups of flour, mix in 1/4 cup of flour and check again.
Flour a work surface and roll out the dough until it is a 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes.
<<side note: Before you use a cookie cutter, be sure to lighly dust it with flour.It'll help prevent the cutter from sticking to the dough>>
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown. Cool thoroughly and serve to your favorite fur ball.
Boy, were we wrong. We were spectacularly unprepared for the literal and metaphorical journey. After 12 hours of driving, 2 flat tires and an incredibly anxious dog, we exhaustedly made it back home. Suddenly, bringing a dog home was no longer the joyous event we were hoping for. Instead, we came home to a dog that was so fearful that he destroyed our home and more importantly, self injured. We'd always prided ourselves on being the kind of people who never gave up and rose to meet any tough situation. But less than a week after bringing Mac home, we found ourselves having a frank discussion about taking him back to rescue. During the course of our hour long talk, something changed: we came to the realization that we couldn't give up on Mac. He's a lovely dog that just needed a second chance and, at that moment, we knew we'd try our best to give that chance to Mac. That was five months ago.
Now, Mac is flourishing under our love, care and consideration. With the help of some much needed medication to soothe his anxiety and continued behavioral trainng, he is beginning to calm down. Although we're not completely there yet, we are happy to report that Mac no longer hurts himself. His confidence is growing and much to our happiness, his goofy and protective boxer traits are finally surfacing. In five short months, Mac has reminded us that everyone deserves a second chance and that we have the patience and love to help someone that is just hurting. In five short months, Mac has also become a certified therapy dog and will pass along his happiness to others. Not bad for a little guy who was abandoned.
In celebration of all the hard work that Mac's done to get to where he is now, I thought it would be nice to treat him to some home made cookies. Not only are they better quality than the store bought version, but they are also a kinder alternative to using cookies with animal products. <<side note: please check with your vet regarding any food allergies before you give these or any other food to your pets>>
I hope your babies enjoy it as much as Mac does.
Peanut butter doggy cookies
adapted from ehow.com
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup of peanut butter, chunky or smooth
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
3 cups of flour, sifted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large glass bowl, whisk water, peanut butter and vegetable oil.
Gently mix in 1 cup of flour at a time to the wet ingredients until you have a non-sticky dough. If the dough is still sticky after 3 cups of flour, mix in 1/4 cup of flour and check again.
Flour a work surface and roll out the dough until it is a 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes.
<<side note: Before you use a cookie cutter, be sure to lighly dust it with flour.It'll help prevent the cutter from sticking to the dough>>
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown. Cool thoroughly and serve to your favorite fur ball.
<<side note: Know a pet lover? Just pile a dozen cookies in tissue paper and tie it off with a nice ribbon and present them as gifts! >>
Till next time, To Life!
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