Happy now?

I mentioned a while back on my Facebook page that China was on a diet. She's too good of a "vacuum cleaner" and has put on a few pounds (I can relate  *wink*). So unfortunately, in order to keep her from scrounging for tidbits, she has to stay in a dog run.

The highlight of her day then is our morning walk!

Here we are heading down the trail. We are blessed to live in an area where there are safe places to walk and the dogs can be off lease.

This was cute. All I said was, "Hey!" to get their attention for the picture and this was their reaction. Good dogs!

Usually these three (Echo, Moriah and China) are out ahead scouting things out.

Pooh likes to scout too, but he also keeps an eye on mom. Can't get too far fro her!

Heading home.

Are you happy now guys?

Cookies!

I don't know about your dogs, but my dogs get treats everyday. At our house, the dogs all know what the word "Cookie" means!

So I go through a lot of cookies and am always looking for some that look halfway "healthy". One day I decided to do some internet perusing and find some recipes to make my own.

Today was the first test recipe that I found on Pinterest. They are called "Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats" and found on http://blog.doggievogue.com.

I decided to try a double batch since I have more than a couple dogs ;) And I did substitute some unrefined white flour and rice flour for some of the wheat flour since I didn't have enough. They still turned out fine.

Here they are ready to go in the oven. And yes, it did take a while to make all those! The recipe says to measure the dough out by teaspoonfuls then flatten with a fork. Doubling the recipe got me over 120 cookies.

They puffed up a bit with baking.

Now to see if the "taste testers" will eat them. This cookie is disappearing!

Number two cookie going in!

The cookie monster looking for crumbs.

Yep!  I think we'll make these again.

This is what happens....

when you buy a label maker and you have boys at home......

They spelled his name wrong :P

The season of mud

Between winter and spring is the season of mud.
When the snow starts to melt and the temperature rises things get a bit sloppy around here. Of course that's when everyone wants to be outside after being indoors so much during the winter months.

Today I decide to go for a walk. The driveway no longer has snow, the icy patches have melted, but there is mud. Not to bad for a walk, unless of course you are a ten inch tall Poodle with long hair.

My family doesn't like when I trim Pooh short like this and he has the "prissy" Poodle look.

It's not my favorite look either, although it is nice when he's all clean and groomed. I think we all prefer the happy, shaggy, farm-dog look. Like this...

or this...

Ok, this might be a bit extreme. He's almost at this stage now.

He just got a bath. I wouldn't let him back in the house until he did. Imagine this, but with dark brown, muddy legs and belly. Sorry, you'll have to imagine as I failed to get a picture of the mess.

My son thought he looked a bit like Sid from Ice Age with his hair flat against his head. Guess you had to see it in person.
Well, at least he's clean. Next we'll be working on the "prissy" Poodle look again, because the season of mud is here. And I am glad!