October 2014 BarkBox-Halloween Edition

Last month there was a promotion going on so I signed up for BarkBox for the babes.  I mean we are a family of subscriptions after all :) Here is last months breakdown and really gave us a great first impression.

The details......BarkBox is a monthly sub for your dogs, all breeds and sizes.  Depending on the size of your dog determines what they will get.  It is $29 a month but of course if you use my link to sign up, I can give you 10% off!  Click HERE to sign up!  I love it because I usually make my own treats and surprises for the girls and BarkBox has not only vetted all the treats they send but they also send a variety of toys, gadgets and other fun stuff.

If you like something, you text the reorder code and they mail it out to you. BAM! Plus this month they announced, if you don't like something, you send it back and they send you something else out. I mean, I cannot say enough great things about BarkBox!

Let's get to the goodies :)  Paisley and Shelby must have remembered last months box because they freaked as soon as they saw it this month.  This is the Halloween BarkBox Edition :)

Halloween Themed!

Let me apologize first for the pictures you are about to see.  I could barely take a picture of each item because my girls were giddy with excitement :) which I can relate to because that is how I am when my subs come.

I was stoked to see a skull chew toy, I mean that is so awesome. But it got better.  Wait until you see.....

Petprojekt Squeeki Skull, valued at $8.

Skull chew toy that squeaks

Durable plastic chew toy.  So nice to see quality toys being sent especially with a teething puppy in the house.

This next toy is the coolest toy I have ever seen.

Plush Puppies Squeaker Mat Mummy, valued at $15.

A mummy themed squeaker toy

It is described as bubble wrap for dogs! I mean my girls absolutely LOVED this toy!! And it wasn't annoying so thanks BarkBox!

Shelby playing

Paisley playing keep away

They played with these toys all night long.  It was so cute and mommy and daddy got some peace.

Next up is the treats!

Baker's Best Autumn Harvest Treats, valued at $10.

Huge bag

These are made with goat liver, Italian olive oil and oat flour.  They weren't Paisley's favorite but Shelby inhaled them.  They are little squares so perfect training treats for her.

Max and Ruffys Pumpkin Patch Bites,valued at $4.

Of course pumpkin in October

Organic pumpkin treats that they loved.  I mix pumpkin in Paisley's food sometimes so I knew she would love these.

And lastly, Heartland Premium Weasand Strips,valued at $3.

They love strips that they can chew on

This is made with 100% cow gullet......so not appetizing to me but I know Paisley will love this.  

So the total value of this box is $40!  That is a great value.

Here is another pic of my happy Paisley :)  HA! Even though she is giving Shelby the nastiest look.

Mean mugging Shelby

 Again, HERE is the link to sign up today!  Also, 10% of each box purchased goes to dogs in need.  So you can feel good about getting this for more than one reason.  This is also a great gift idea for the dog lover in your life!

Do you already do BarkBox?

What did your pup get this month?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day! xo

Paisley's Birthday CupCakes (Dog Birthday CupCake Recipe)

Paisley's birthday is July 5th and every year I am in Kentucky.....breaks my heart to be away from her but luckily she is none the wiser :)

So when I got home this year I wanted to make sure she had a special treat to celebrate.  I know friends who give their dogs an ice cream cone on their birthdays but I was out running errands and knew it would not hold in the car.

So today I am going to share a safe, healthy recipe for dog birthday cupcakes.

Here are the ingredients for this super simple, quick recipe:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (Paisley's favorite is Peter Pan)
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• cream cheese or plain yogurt and extra honey (for frosting, if desired)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  You can either grease (spray with vegetable oil or wipe with butter or oil) a 6 cup ring mold or use a cupcake pan like I did. This recipe ended up making 5 large cupcakes so adjust accordingly if you are serving at a party :)  Yes, people have parties for their animals :)

First, you want to mix the egg, peanut butter, oil, vanilla and honey in a large bowl and mix very well.

Let your dog lick the spoon from the peanut butter!!

I mean, look at that FACE!!  She is wet from playing outside in the pool and with the hose, her favorite past time!!

Next add the carrots, and stir well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour and baking soda.  If you don't have a sifter (I found a vintage one at a flea market!), use a wire whisk to stir together very well.

Fold into the carrot mixture, again blending well.

Spoon into prepared pan.  I use two tablespoons.

Put in the oven for 20 minutes.  I actually set the timer for 15 and tested with a toothpick in the center and it needed an additional 5 minutes.  These are healthy delicious cakes (of course I tried a piece to make sure!) so they will bake just like a normal cake.

While they are cooking, if you want to make a frosting, mix equal parts of plain yogurt or cream cheese with some honey, for sweetening.  I actually thought I had some plain yogurt at home and I did not, so I just used some Yoplait vanilla yogurt for the top and she loved it!  Yogurt is very good for dogs :)

When they come out of the oven, let them rest in the pan for a few minutes (about 5) and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving to your pup!

Add your candle and take pictures with your drooling dog, this might actually be considered animal abuse as she wanted it so bad!  She always knows when I am making her homemade peanut butter treats (get recipe here) because she gets to lick the spoon.  So she knew something tasty was coming for her!

TA DA!!!

What do you do for your dogs birthday?

Let me know in the comments below!

Let me know when you try this recipe and make sure to send pics!  I love hearing about other peoples dogs :)

Have a great day and stay tuned for the unboxing of Pop Sugar and New Beauty Test Tube, coming up next!

Homemade Dog Treats Tutorial aka Doggy Crack

Our puppy, Paisley, is part Lab and part Rott.  And because she is going to be 3 next month and only 60 lbs, we believe she has something else in her :)  But she is amazing and not only is she incredibly smart but has the best personality, ever!  She also has had an upset stomach lately and about 8 months ago I started making homemade peanut butter dog treats for her.  I want to be able to control what is in them and what she is eating.  So today, I am going to share this recipe for homemade peanut butter dog treats and show you how to make them! She nearly loses her mind every time I make these treats for her.  SO BE CAREFUL, these are addicting!! :) UPDATE-Please note to have your dog eat these within 2 weeks or freeze them, since the ingredients are all fresh, we don't want our pups getting any moldy treats :)

(PS- as you can see here, she looked hungry so I thought it was time to make them again!)

First, here are the ingredients (of course, you can choose whatever brands you like).

2 ¼ whole wheat flour (excess for rolling dough out)

½ cup cornmeal

½ cup rolled oats

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup water

½ cup vegetable oil

4 heaping tablespoons peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

First, you want to mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl.  I use a whisk just to make sure they are evenly distributed.

Then you want to mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl.

Make sure your dog licks the spoon from the peanut butter (before stirring all the wet ingredients together).  Very important step!! :)

Next, you want to combine all the ingredients together, to form a ball.  

Then you want to put some extra flour on your surface and roll the dough out.  I did not want to have to wash the rolling pin, so I merely used the palms of my hands.  You want the dough to be about a 1/4 to a 1/2 inches thick.  

Then cut your shapes! But make sure to keep them the same size so they all cook at the same time.

I got these wonderful dog themed cookie cutters from Wilton.  Get Them Here.

Place on a cookie sheet.  What's nice is since there is nothing in them to make them rise, they can be put right next to each other on the cookie sheet, to utilize the most space.

Cook for 20 minutes (400 degrees).

I usually let them cool on cookie sheets until they are ready for Paisley.

TA DA!!!  

What are your favorite healthy treats for your dogs?

Do you make your own?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!!