Scrappy Dog Sunday

Last Christmas a friend of mine sent me a great dog treat recipe. Great because it was so simple! Having three dogs can pose a few problems, one being that each one has a different food thing going on. These treats perfect for all three. These treats are great for older dogs because they are slightly soft.  

Peanut Butter Dog Crackers
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons oil

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and form a dough ball

• Roll out dough with rolling pin and cut into small bites. I have used small cookie cutters before but they really were too big for my dogs. I also didn't make them too thick so they could chew them. Cut them do your dog's needs. 

• Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes. 
• Cool on rack
• I put a little baggie full next to the door and freeze the rest. They can last in the freezer for about 6 months. 

A few things:
I tried it with natural peanut butter. It was okay but I might reduce the oil by about 1/2 next time if I use the natural stuff

I used regular flour but if your dog has an allergy, you can certainly try different ones and maybe adjust the cooking time.

You can put these treats on a baking sheet pretty close to eachother. They do not spread. On a big cookie sheet I used about half of the dough.

As you can see, these treats are so good, they even brought the elusive Emo Jujube out of her natural cave habitat.

Scrappy Dog Sunday

Having an older dog is a mix of emotions. You are happy because the dog is trained (well, mostly in our case), well behaved and laid back. You are sad because you know that the time you have with them is limited. I guess you know that about all pets and people but it seems to resonate more when you can see the change come over your best friend in such a short amount of time.

Lola seemed to be doing a lot better for the past week and then over the weekend slowed down again. Little things seem to take a lot out of her. Just giving her a bath will put her down for the rest of the day. We also noticed that her eye pressure is back up, hopefully not as bad as before but it is slowing her down.

On the upside, a friend sent us a doggy stroller so we can take her out on longer walks with Jujube and Pete and she likes to sit in it next to me while I lay out in the sun. Jujube loves it so she can get away from her stinky brother.

We take her back to the vet tomorrow for a checkup. I know it will take so much out of her and she will be down for a day or two but we will get more information about her eye.

Another great thing is that the urinary tract infection looks as if it has cleared up and we are having no more night accidents.

Don't get me wrong, Lola is still a spitfire. She is still barking at the crows, runs around with her brother and gives Jujube baths. She is eating, although extremely picky. She loves trying to play with Pete at 6 in the morning and runs around the house. The recovery time is a lot longer but I don't think she is willing to give up yet and we aren't either. We adjust our lives to fit her needs right now and really, the adjustments are that extreme at all. We might wake up a little earlier, have to make her food for her and be a little be more gentle but it is worth it.

Her quality of life is still good and she plans on harassing us every chance she gets cause that's what Lolas do.

Winner and Other Stitchy Goodness

Big huge honking thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winner is....(drum roll, please)

Poppy (xperimentl)!!!!!!

Yahoo! Way to go! Never fret, my favorite peeps, there will be other giveaways, just around the corner! 

Now, are you ready for some stitchy goodness? I have been crazy busy stitching up tea towels for a swap with my friend Helen. 

And sticking with the cake theme...

I also stitched this glamour puss up for the Hoopla Along on Craftster but she got ruined! I used quilter's wax to tame the metallic thread, forgot about it and ironed. The wax melted and bled the ink everywhere! WAHHHHH! 

I can't wait to show you what else I have been working on-so many fun summer projects! Stay tune! 

Your Name in Lights

Are you looking for something a little different to give your pop for Father's Day? Well, look no further...Put his name up in lights with this super easy Craftster Quickie.

These faux marquee lights were so easy and turned out awesome! I want to light my whole house up with them.

Scrappy Dog Sunday

What do you do when your dog begins getting older? You begin to notice little things about them, they aren't as quick on the draw, it takes them a little time to get up and down and their eye sight begins to fade. This week it became unbelievably clear that Lola Mae is old. 

We had noticed a few weeks ago that Lola was drinking a tremendous amount of water and  began to use the bathroom in her sleep. Our first thought was that she had diabetes and then we thought that it was her age. We took her to the vet and they did a series of test. We were so happy to find out that she wasn't diabetic. We did find out that she had two urinary tract infections and her kidneys were slightly elevated. Our awesome vet put her on some antibiotics and Lola was on her way...until last week. 

Lola's eye began weeping and she was shutting it. She has cataracts in that eye and the doctor said she was blind, just in the one eye. At the same time, her ear got an infection. We took her in again and found out that she has glaucoma. Glaucoma is very painful for dogs and can lead to the eye being removed. Besides having glaucoma, she had an eye infection. She was now fighting off four infections. We again were given meds. This time, the vet gave us the serious talk about Lola not being around much longer. We asked what we could do more for her and the vet's response was, "just love her." The vet said that she will continue, along with us, to make sure Lola is comfortable and given great care but once her quality of life is less, than we will discuss options. 

For the past week, I have done nothing but go between being numb and crying. Finally, yesterday, I decided I have to "just love her." I have to enjoy my time that I have with her now. To play gently with her, alter our walks, give her little special treats and snuggle more. 

Loving and caring for older dogs is a challenge but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It makes me cherish every day, every second with them a little more.