Because everyone needs minty fresh breath!
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups Bisquick® baking mix
• 1/2 cup mint leaves -- loosely packed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons margarine
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup -- or corn syrup
Combine all ingredients in food processor, process until well mixed, mint is chopped, and a large ball forms. Press or roll on non-stick surface (floured board or ceramic) to a thickness of 1/4-1/2". Cut into 1x2" strips or with bone-shaped cookie cutter and place on non-stick cookie pan. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool and store in air-tight container.
Makes about 30 medium biscuits.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Golden Retriever Saves Boy from Cougar
The 11-year-old boy didn’t have time to react — and barely enough time to realize that a cougar was flying toward him with dinner on its mind. Luckily for Austin Forman, his dog, Angel, threw herself between her best friend and a lethal predator.
Never was a dog more appropriately named than the 18-month-old golden retriever who nearly gave her life to save Austin Sunday in Bar Boston, a small Canadian town some 150 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia.
“She was my best friend, but now she’s even greater to me. She’s more than a best friend now,” Austin told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Tuesday morning from his home, where he was joined by his mother, Sherri Forman, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Chad Gravelle, who shot the cougar and saved Angel.
“We’re really lucky that he was saved by an angel. That’s exactly what it was. There’s no other word for it,” Jay Forman, Austin’s father, told NBC News.
Around 5:30 Sunday evening, Austin went out with a wheelbarrow to bring in wood to feed the family’s wood-burning furnace. At that hour at that northern latitude, it was already dark.
Angel went along with Austin, and the boy found it curious that instead of playfully galumphing around the yard as she normally did, the dog stayed close by his side. He would shortly learn that there was a reason for her actions.
Austin was a few feet from the woodshed when he saw the cougar, which he first assumed was another dog. Although cougars inhabit the surrounding forests, they usually stay away from towns.
There was a light in the backyard, and when the animal got under it, Austin saw it was a cougar getting ready to pounce from less than 10 feet away. But just as the animal leaped, Angel came to the rescue.
“The dog knew something was up, because she ran toward me just at the right time, and the cougar ended up getting her instead,” Austin said. “I was just lucky my dog was there, because it happened so fast I wouldn’t have known what hit me.”
The cougar clamped its jaws around Angel’s head. Frantic, Austin screamed for his mother and ran inside the house, yelling, “There’s a cougar eating Angel!”
Sherri Forman looked out the window and saw the cougar on the patio with Angel’s head in its mouth. It didn’t look good for the heroic pet. Angel, Sherri said, was “whining and making noises like we’ve never heard before. We knew that cougar was killing our dog.”
She called her father-in-law, Lloyd Forman, and he told her to call 911.
Boston Bar is a small town of fewer than 1,000 people about 150 miles outside of Vancouver in British Columbia. It’s the kind of place where everybody knows everybody else, and that applies to Constable Chad Gravelle, who was finishing up the day’s paperwork when he got the call at his office less than a block away from the Forman home.
The 911 dispatcher told Gravelle that a cougar was attacking a young boy. When the constable took down the address and family name, he knew immediately that the boy could only be Austin Forman.
He rushed to the home, thinking that Austin’s life was in danger. When he arrived, “One of their daughters ran out on the porch and said, ‘Hurry up, Chad, the cougar’s got our dog,’ ” Gravelle said. “At that point, I was a little bit more relieved that Austin was OK because I know he’s the only young boy in this house. Now we only had to deal with the dog.”
Gravelle drew his sidearm and went out the back door. He saw the cougar’s tail extending out from underneath the porch. Although he had a flashlight, it was dark and hard to see, and Gravelle was dealing with a deadly animal in a confined space.
“The dog and the cougar were all kind of tangled up as one unit,” he said. But he was able to see the big cat’s hindquarters and fired one shot, hoping to sever the animal’s spine.
When the cougar kept up its attack on Angel, Gravelle moved around to get in front of the cougar, which was less than 6 feet away.
“It was really dark out, and I was just trying to line up my shot as best I could. I could just see about two or three inches of the cougar’s head sticking out from behind Angel, and luckily I was able to get a good shot off,” Gravelle said.
“Without him, there’s no way Angel would have survived,” Sherri said. “The sounds had all stopped, and it was just a matter of seconds. The timing was perfect.”
The shot killed the cougar and missed Angel, but the cat still had its jaws around the dog’s head.
“The cougar had its mouth over the top of the dog’s mouth, trying to suffocate it, blood all over the animal,” Comkin told NBC News. “And out of nowhere, the dog breathed a gasp of air, just like it comes back from being dead, and just spits up blood. And I’m looking at her, and I’m holding her, and I’m like, she’s going to be all right.”
From being all but dead, Angel went back to romping around the backyard, her head covered in blood. The Formans took her to a veterinarian, where she was treated for extensive — but not life-threatening — injuries.
“She had surgery yesterday afternoon,” Sherri told Lauer. “She was in for about an hour in surgery: extensive injuries to her head. Her skull was fractured, and they had to piece it together along with numerous other wounds. We’re hopeful for a full recovery.”
Angel was expected to return home as early as Tuesday to a hero’s welcome and a thank-you present purchased especially for her by her best friend.
“I bought her a big, nice juicy steak,” Austin told Lauer.
Never was a dog more appropriately named than the 18-month-old golden retriever who nearly gave her life to save Austin Sunday in Bar Boston, a small Canadian town some 150 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia.
“She was my best friend, but now she’s even greater to me. She’s more than a best friend now,” Austin told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Tuesday morning from his home, where he was joined by his mother, Sherri Forman, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Chad Gravelle, who shot the cougar and saved Angel.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
“We’re really lucky that he was saved by an angel. That’s exactly what it was. There’s no other word for it,” Jay Forman, Austin’s father, told NBC News.
Around 5:30 Sunday evening, Austin went out with a wheelbarrow to bring in wood to feed the family’s wood-burning furnace. At that hour at that northern latitude, it was already dark.
Angel went along with Austin, and the boy found it curious that instead of playfully galumphing around the yard as she normally did, the dog stayed close by his side. He would shortly learn that there was a reason for her actions.
Austin was a few feet from the woodshed when he saw the cougar, which he first assumed was another dog. Although cougars inhabit the surrounding forests, they usually stay away from towns.
There was a light in the backyard, and when the animal got under it, Austin saw it was a cougar getting ready to pounce from less than 10 feet away. But just as the animal leaped, Angel came to the rescue.
“The dog knew something was up, because she ran toward me just at the right time, and the cougar ended up getting her instead,” Austin said. “I was just lucky my dog was there, because it happened so fast I wouldn’t have known what hit me.”
The cougar clamped its jaws around Angel’s head. Frantic, Austin screamed for his mother and ran inside the house, yelling, “There’s a cougar eating Angel!”
Sherri Forman looked out the window and saw the cougar on the patio with Angel’s head in its mouth. It didn’t look good for the heroic pet. Angel, Sherri said, was “whining and making noises like we’ve never heard before. We knew that cougar was killing our dog.”
She called her father-in-law, Lloyd Forman, and he told her to call 911.
Boston Bar is a small town of fewer than 1,000 people about 150 miles outside of Vancouver in British Columbia. It’s the kind of place where everybody knows everybody else, and that applies to Constable Chad Gravelle, who was finishing up the day’s paperwork when he got the call at his office less than a block away from the Forman home.
The 911 dispatcher told Gravelle that a cougar was attacking a young boy. When the constable took down the address and family name, he knew immediately that the boy could only be Austin Forman.
He rushed to the home, thinking that Austin’s life was in danger. When he arrived, “One of their daughters ran out on the porch and said, ‘Hurry up, Chad, the cougar’s got our dog,’ ” Gravelle said. “At that point, I was a little bit more relieved that Austin was OK because I know he’s the only young boy in this house. Now we only had to deal with the dog.”
Gravelle drew his sidearm and went out the back door. He saw the cougar’s tail extending out from underneath the porch. Although he had a flashlight, it was dark and hard to see, and Gravelle was dealing with a deadly animal in a confined space.
“The dog and the cougar were all kind of tangled up as one unit,” he said. But he was able to see the big cat’s hindquarters and fired one shot, hoping to sever the animal’s spine.
When the cougar kept up its attack on Angel, Gravelle moved around to get in front of the cougar, which was less than 6 feet away.
“It was really dark out, and I was just trying to line up my shot as best I could. I could just see about two or three inches of the cougar’s head sticking out from behind Angel, and luckily I was able to get a good shot off,” Gravelle said.
“Without him, there’s no way Angel would have survived,” Sherri said. “The sounds had all stopped, and it was just a matter of seconds. The timing was perfect.”
The shot killed the cougar and missed Angel, but the cat still had its jaws around the dog’s head.
“The cougar had its mouth over the top of the dog’s mouth, trying to suffocate it, blood all over the animal,” Comkin told NBC News. “And out of nowhere, the dog breathed a gasp of air, just like it comes back from being dead, and just spits up blood. And I’m looking at her, and I’m holding her, and I’m like, she’s going to be all right.”
From being all but dead, Angel went back to romping around the backyard, her head covered in blood. The Formans took her to a veterinarian, where she was treated for extensive — but not life-threatening — injuries.
“She had surgery yesterday afternoon,” Sherri told Lauer. “She was in for about an hour in surgery: extensive injuries to her head. Her skull was fractured, and they had to piece it together along with numerous other wounds. We’re hopeful for a full recovery.”
Angel was expected to return home as early as Tuesday to a hero’s welcome and a thank-you present purchased especially for her by her best friend.
“I bought her a big, nice juicy steak,” Austin told Lauer.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Last Chance Ranch
I caught an episode of Rachel Ray over the Holiday break. She was holding a contest for animal shelters. The $25,000 runner up (or 2nd place winner) was Last Chance Ranch.
Last Chance Ranch (LCR) started as an all volunteer Equine Rescue. Recently LCR has decided to join the ranks of small animal rescue and save at least a few of these "kill shelter" pets from such an undignified ending to their lives. With the acquisition of an additional 25 acres, LCR plans to build a 10 run kennel to house pets that are awaiting their forever families. This will also allow Last Chance Ranch to house small animals in emergency or humane seizure situations.
As stated on their website "neglect, suffering, and death often occur through ignorance rather than outright cruelty. One of our goals is to provide the new or potential pet owner knowledge so they can properly care for their new pet. We are here for questions and instruction and are willing to teach anyone the proper care for all equines and small companion animals, especially those in their senior years.
LCR has rescued hundreds of horses and saved many from slaughter. Some have needed special care and veterinary help. Many need TLC, rehabilitation, and sometimes all they need is time - time to heal...more time than their former owners were willing to give. "LCR" provides vet care, farrier care, dentistry, nourishing foods, rest and most importantly lots of love. Our horses have gone on to enjoy new and improved lives that include riding, driving, showing, and companionship."
Last Chance Ranch (LCR) started as an all volunteer Equine Rescue. Recently LCR has decided to join the ranks of small animal rescue and save at least a few of these "kill shelter" pets from such an undignified ending to their lives. With the acquisition of an additional 25 acres, LCR plans to build a 10 run kennel to house pets that are awaiting their forever families. This will also allow Last Chance Ranch to house small animals in emergency or humane seizure situations.As stated on their website "neglect, suffering, and death often occur through ignorance rather than outright cruelty. One of our goals is to provide the new or potential pet owner knowledge so they can properly care for their new pet. We are here for questions and instruction and are willing to teach anyone the proper care for all equines and small companion animals, especially those in their senior years.
LCR has rescued hundreds of horses and saved many from slaughter. Some have needed special care and veterinary help. Many need TLC, rehabilitation, and sometimes all they need is time - time to heal...more time than their former owners were willing to give. "LCR" provides vet care, farrier care, dentistry, nourishing foods, rest and most importantly lots of love. Our horses have gone on to enjoy new and improved lives that include riding, driving, showing, and companionship."
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Chaining Laws
I saw on the news that Durham County, N.C. passed a law that prohibits tethering except when on an attended leash. That got me to wondering how many other places have a similar law. Here's what I found:
Fairhope, Alabama
May 12, 2003
It shall be an unlawful act if any person violates any provision of this ordinance and it shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
October 16, 2007
This ordinance prohibits dogs from being chained to a fixed point. Under this ordinance, dogs are allowed to be confined by a trolley system, provided the owner is on the premises.
Jonesboro, Arkansas
March 17, 2009
This ordinance prohibits dogs who weigh more than 20 pounds from being tethered to stationary objects. Adult dogs weighing less than 20 pounds may be tethered for no more than two hours at a time.
Little Rock, Arkansas
October 7, 2003
Tethering dogs to any stationary object or point is prohibited.
Maumelle, Arkansas
June 6, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs.
Miami, Florida
May 8, 2008
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs. When tethered, the responsible party must be outside with the dog. The tether must be five times the length of the dog, be connected to a buckle collar or harness, be on a swivel, and weigh no more than one eighth the dog’s weight. Pulley/trolley systems must be at least 15 feet in length.
Miami-Dade County, Florida
October 7, 2008
(effective April 7, 2008)
Tethering is banned unless the responsible party is located outside with the dog and certain other conditions are met.
Okaloosa County, Florida
November 11, 1992
Tethering dogs and cats is prohibited
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
November 7, 2007
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of dogs to stationary objects.
Chatham County, Georgia
August 12, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs and cats to any object, stationary or otherwise, in unincorporated areas of the county.
DeKalb County, Georgia
July 12, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs to stationary objects. Dogs may be restrained by a running cable or trolley system for a limited amount of time, provided that the system meets certain conditions.
Carthage, Missouri
December 8, 1992
Tethering dogs is prohibited.
Asheville, North Carolina
September 22, 2009
This ordinance prohibits animals from being unattended and restrained by tether in any manner that prevents them from having access to food, water or shelter.
Cumberland County, North Carolina
February 2, 2009
This ordinance prohibits the chaining of dogs outdoors except under certain circumstances, such as if tethering is necessary for the dog's safety and a guardian remains with the dog while he or she is tethered.
Clayton, North Carolina
August 4, 2008
(effective October 4, 2008)
Tethering is banned. No animal shall be tied, chained, fastened, or otherwise tethered to any stationary or inanimate object.
Durham County, North Carolina
September 8, 2008
(effective January 1, 2010)
Tethering is prohibited except when on an attended leash.
New Hanover, North Carolina
1978
Chaining or tethering dogs is prohibited. A chain or rope is not to be used in place of a leash when walking dogs.
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
June 13, 2006
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs.
Lawton, Oklahoma
This ordinance specifies that a dog may not be chained in his or her own yard.
Big Spring, Texas
July 13, 2004
This ordinance prohibits dogs from being chained or tethered to any inanimate object. Dogs may only be kept on a tether held in the guardian’s hand, such as a leash.
Dallas, Texas
July 1, 2008
Tethering is not allowed unless the dog is in the immediate possession of the owner.
Electra, Texas
June 11, 1996
Tethering is prohibited, but dogs may be controlled by the hand-held use of a rope, leash, or chain.
Fort Worth, Texas
January 22, 2008
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs. An offense under this Section is a Class C misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $2,000.
Georgetown, Texas
June 24, 2008
(effective December 24, 2008)
Irving, Texas
November 1, 2007
Dogs cannot be tethered and left alone for any period of time.
To find legislation in other communities Click here.
Fairhope, Alabama
May 12, 2003
It shall be an unlawful act if any person violates any provision of this ordinance and it shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
October 16, 2007
This ordinance prohibits dogs from being chained to a fixed point. Under this ordinance, dogs are allowed to be confined by a trolley system, provided the owner is on the premises.
Jonesboro, Arkansas
March 17, 2009
This ordinance prohibits dogs who weigh more than 20 pounds from being tethered to stationary objects. Adult dogs weighing less than 20 pounds may be tethered for no more than two hours at a time.
Little Rock, Arkansas
October 7, 2003
Tethering dogs to any stationary object or point is prohibited.
Maumelle, Arkansas
June 6, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs.
Miami, Florida
May 8, 2008
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs. When tethered, the responsible party must be outside with the dog. The tether must be five times the length of the dog, be connected to a buckle collar or harness, be on a swivel, and weigh no more than one eighth the dog’s weight. Pulley/trolley systems must be at least 15 feet in length.
Miami-Dade County, Florida
October 7, 2008
(effective April 7, 2008)
Tethering is banned unless the responsible party is located outside with the dog and certain other conditions are met.
Okaloosa County, Florida
November 11, 1992
Tethering dogs and cats is prohibited
Athens-Clarke County, Georgia
November 7, 2007
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of dogs to stationary objects.
Chatham County, Georgia
August 12, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs and cats to any object, stationary or otherwise, in unincorporated areas of the county.
DeKalb County, Georgia
July 12, 2005
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs to stationary objects. Dogs may be restrained by a running cable or trolley system for a limited amount of time, provided that the system meets certain conditions.
Carthage, Missouri
December 8, 1992
Tethering dogs is prohibited.
Asheville, North Carolina
September 22, 2009
This ordinance prohibits animals from being unattended and restrained by tether in any manner that prevents them from having access to food, water or shelter.
Cumberland County, North Carolina
February 2, 2009
This ordinance prohibits the chaining of dogs outdoors except under certain circumstances, such as if tethering is necessary for the dog's safety and a guardian remains with the dog while he or she is tethered.
Clayton, North Carolina
August 4, 2008
(effective October 4, 2008)
Tethering is banned. No animal shall be tied, chained, fastened, or otherwise tethered to any stationary or inanimate object.
Durham County, North Carolina
September 8, 2008
(effective January 1, 2010)
Tethering is prohibited except when on an attended leash.
New Hanover, North Carolina
1978
Chaining or tethering dogs is prohibited. A chain or rope is not to be used in place of a leash when walking dogs.
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
June 13, 2006
This ordinance prohibits the tethering of dogs.
Lawton, Oklahoma
This ordinance specifies that a dog may not be chained in his or her own yard.
Big Spring, Texas
July 13, 2004
This ordinance prohibits dogs from being chained or tethered to any inanimate object. Dogs may only be kept on a tether held in the guardian’s hand, such as a leash.
Dallas, Texas
July 1, 2008
Tethering is not allowed unless the dog is in the immediate possession of the owner.
Electra, Texas
June 11, 1996
Tethering is prohibited, but dogs may be controlled by the hand-held use of a rope, leash, or chain.
Fort Worth, Texas
January 22, 2008
This ordinance prohibits the chaining/tethering of unattended dogs. An offense under this Section is a Class C misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $2,000.
Georgetown, Texas
June 24, 2008
(effective December 24, 2008)
Irving, Texas
November 1, 2007
Dogs cannot be tethered and left alone for any period of time.
To find legislation in other communities Click here.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
How to Train Your Dog to Play Frisbee
The only thing better than a dog is a dog that can play cool games with you. Playing with a flying disc with your dog is loads of fun, great exercise for doggy and an awesome trick to show off at the park!
Things You'll Need:
•Many flying discs
•Treats
•Your dog's favorite food
Step 1 - First you must introduce doggy to his new toy. Some dogs can be enticed just by being shown a new toy, or having it waved temptingly. Some require extra incentive to want to play. You can associate the disc with a treat by giving doggy a treat just for touching the disc, putting a treat in the disc or even putting some peanut butter on the edges of the disc.
Step 2 - Once doggy likes the disc it's time to make it a toy. Use it for tug-of-war for a day or two in order to increase doggy's desire to have the disc for herself. Make sure to give doggy a treat or another form of praise for playing with the disc. After this step is completed do not give doggy a treat again for trying to keep the disc.
Step 3 - Having taught doggy to grasp the disc, now he must be taught to release it. Teaching the "Give" command is fundamental. Give doggy the disc, then hold a treat and command, "Give." Take the disc and give doggy a treat. Give doggy the disc back, and repeat this step. If doggy will not give up the disc, do not give him the treat and let go of the disc. This can not resemble tug-of-war. Once doggy gives up the disc without hesitation move on to the next step.
Step 4 - Now to teach doggy to catch and return! Take doggy outside and have her sit. Toss doggy the disc from very close and praise her greatly for catching it, then have her come to you and give her a treat for giving up the disc. Be sure to give a treat only for returning the disc. Until this becomes a game the treat will be the reward for giving up the disc, and that's how doggy will learn to bring the disc to you to be thrown again.
Step 5 - Gradually increase the distance you throw the disc, waiting to throw it farther until doggy consistently catches it in his mouth. You are now playing Frisbee with your dog!
Things You'll Need:
•Many flying discs
•Treats
•Your dog's favorite food
Step 1 - First you must introduce doggy to his new toy. Some dogs can be enticed just by being shown a new toy, or having it waved temptingly. Some require extra incentive to want to play. You can associate the disc with a treat by giving doggy a treat just for touching the disc, putting a treat in the disc or even putting some peanut butter on the edges of the disc.
Step 2 - Once doggy likes the disc it's time to make it a toy. Use it for tug-of-war for a day or two in order to increase doggy's desire to have the disc for herself. Make sure to give doggy a treat or another form of praise for playing with the disc. After this step is completed do not give doggy a treat again for trying to keep the disc.
Step 3 - Having taught doggy to grasp the disc, now he must be taught to release it. Teaching the "Give" command is fundamental. Give doggy the disc, then hold a treat and command, "Give." Take the disc and give doggy a treat. Give doggy the disc back, and repeat this step. If doggy will not give up the disc, do not give him the treat and let go of the disc. This can not resemble tug-of-war. Once doggy gives up the disc without hesitation move on to the next step.
Step 4 - Now to teach doggy to catch and return! Take doggy outside and have her sit. Toss doggy the disc from very close and praise her greatly for catching it, then have her come to you and give her a treat for giving up the disc. Be sure to give a treat only for returning the disc. Until this becomes a game the treat will be the reward for giving up the disc, and that's how doggy will learn to bring the disc to you to be thrown again.
Step 5 - Gradually increase the distance you throw the disc, waiting to throw it farther until doggy consistently catches it in his mouth. You are now playing Frisbee with your dog!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Going to the Dogs—in a Good Way
If Duval County, Fla., Judge Emmet Ferguson has his way, there will be a dog in every courthouse across the country.“Dogs put smiles on people’s faces, and there usually aren’t a lot of smiles in a courthouse,” says Ferguson, who works out of Jacksonville.
Ferguson is working to establish a service dog program in the Duval County court system. His effort reflects a small but growing international trend of using trained dogs in a variety of courthouse settings to reduce the tension inherent in the adversarial process.
Advocates say the dogs are used most often to calm witnesses and victims, especially children. But, they say, having a dog in the courthouse helps everyone.
“A dog can be a bridge between defendants and prosecutors, between defense counsel and prosecutors,” says Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney and the force behind a courthouse dog program in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Washington state.
The ABA Journal profiled O’Neill-Stephens’ program in a July 2007 story, “At This Prosecutor’s Office, a Furry Soft Spot for Kids." Since then she has founded Courthouse Dogs, a nonprofit organization promoting the use of trained dogs in both the civil and criminal justice systems.
O’Neill-Stephens and Celeste Walsen, executive director of Courthouse Dogs, say they are kept busy with requests for information and guidance on establishing similar programs both nationally and internationally. There are currently 13 states that have courthouse dog programs or are trying to obtain them, according to O’Neill-Stephens.
The group recently traveled to Chile to help develop a program there.
The growing interest in the use of dogs in courthouses is not surprising to O’Neill-Stephens, who says their mere presence can be highly effective. She sometimes brings an assistance dog to plea negotiations. “When you have a defense attorney down on [his or her] knees patting the dog before negotiations, that starts everything off in a friendlier way,” she says.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Cute Pet Pic of the Week
How cute does Marley look in his birthday hat?Pets are an increasingly important part of the family, and giving them a party is a fun way to celebrate one of our least-complicated relationships.
A simple, quick and easy way to make a dog birthday cake is to open a can of their favorite food. Then slide the contents out in one piece and put it on a plate. Now cover with bacon strips and maybe a few small biscuits treats around...Voila, one very simple doggie cake!
You can also make an even yummier dog birthday cake by exerting a tad more effort:
Doggy Layer Cake
Ingredients: 3 cups flour, 1 T. baking powder, 1/2 cup margarine-softened, 6 eggs-beaten, 1/2 cup corn oil, 2 jars strained chicken baby food, 2 cups finely shredded carrots, plain or vanilla yogurt, 2 or 3 strips of bacon-fried crisp, crumbled, or bacon-flavored jerky strips, cut into bits.
Preheat oven 325F
Generously grease and flour two 8" round cake pans. In a mixing bowl, beat softened margarine until smooth. Add eggs and corn oil, mix well. Add strained chicken and shredded carrots, mix until smooth. Add flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly, (mix should resemble light batter). Pour batter into the 2 prepared 8" cake pans. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Let the dog birthday cake cool for a few minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
Icing the cake: Place one layer on a serving plate and spread yogurt over top. Then add a second layer and repeat for each layer. Spread yogurt on top and sides of entire cake and sprinkle crumbled bacon or bits of jerky strips over top. Why not use "Pupperoni" sticks for candles.
Thanks Jana for sending in this fun pic!
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