You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound: Recipe for a Wagtastic Valentine’s Day

dogs, Valentines Day

Linus, my lab-mystery mutt mix.

For the one who leaves paw prints on your heart (and your newly washed floor and your clean pants), Valentine’s Day becomes a wonderful opportunity to spoil your dog (more), avoid crowded restaurants, and skip the expensive roses.

I know my pack would really like a nice dinner in and a movie. They won’t care what movie, as all three are guaranteed to sleep through it, curled up around me on the couch. Before it’s movie time, we’ll take a long walk. I’ll strap on the snowshoes and we’ll go into our woods.

We’ll also celebrate with special treats that I made before we head outside. I call these treats “Elvis Cookies” but my dogs just call them delicious. Here’s the recipe:

Elvis Cookies

Ready for the oven

1 egg, plus 1 egg white

1/2 cup good peanut butter*

1 ripe banana, mashed (about a 1/2 cup)

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup whole wheat flour or rice flour

1/2 cup oatmeal

Optional: 1 strip cooked bacon, crumbled

Olive oil or coconut oil cooking spray for baking sheet

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray baking sheet with non-stick oil. Stir together wet ingredients, except for 1 egg white. Mix in dry ingredients.

Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. If the dough is super sticky, add a little more flour. Cut rolled dough with a cookie cutter. (Hearts, bones, whatever you like!) Brush top of each cookie with the egg white.

Bake 20-30 minutes or until cookies are golden. Time will vary depending on the shapes you cut, so watch them: Bigger and thicker cookies will take longer; small shapes will bake more quickly. Store baked cookies in an airtight container then in the refrigerator if you add bacon.

* Read the peanut butter label for xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Most peanut butter doesn’t contain it, but to be sure, check the ingredients.

Taste testers abound in my house

Other ways to celebrate your dog:

  • Find a new trail to explore with your dog. Search online for dog-friendly areas near you. Be mindful of local leash laws.
  • Create a piece of artwork of your dog. Draw, paint, sculpt, or photograph your pooch to remember your outing.
  • Indulge your dog with a trip to your home “spa.” If your pup likes a bath, take out the old towels and rub-a-dub in the tub. Lucy would be in heaven if I gave her a brushing followed by a bubble bath. Linus and Charlie would just take a massage, hold the bath.
  • Buy a new toy for your dog. Fix or toss any old ones that are coming apart.
  • Donate to your favorite rescue or local shelter. Spread that love around!

Full squad snap during a recent woods walk

Charlie Brown

Lucy catches a snowball

Acts of Love

animal rescue, dogs, Joy, Valentines Day
Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus at sunrise.

Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus at sunrise

To my dear pack-mates Lucy, Linus, and Charlie Brown on Valentines Day,

I love:

  • That you are ecstatic when I come home
  • That you are so happy to see me that you like to rub your blondeness against my black pant legs
  • That you use me for a pillow and keep me warm when you snuggle
  • That you use my pillow when I’m not home
  • That you are excited to see me each morning
  • That you are so excited to see me each morning that you begin to chirp at 4:30 a.m.
  • That you are up for any adventure
  • That you think when I have to go to the bathroom is an adventure
  • That you are always by my side
  • That you lie down in obstacle course formation on the kitchen floor when I am cooking
  • That you help with the dishes and vacuuming
  • That occasionally you leave a mess for me to clean
  • That you love me, always

I love my Lucy

I love my Linus

I love my Charlie Brown

Happy Valentines Day!

XOXOXO