Doggy Frosty Treats

Our dog, Pericles, is a purebred Humane Society pup.  At 15 years old he still prances about and leaps with excitement when his leash is picked up.  Any movement around his leash indicates a W-A-L-K in the near future and that is what this dog lives for.  Surprisingly enough, you’d never know it to see him laying about the house.  His steps are slow and laborious, head hung low, when moving from one nap spot to another.  Perry’s sweet little face has evolved from chocolate-brown to wizened gray.  Prior to Perry’s birth and arrival we had another rescue pup, also from the Humane Society, named Tater.  Tater was part poodle, part terrier and part pain in the ass but, boy, did he guard this house.  It was horrible when Tater died of old age and to make it even more awful he died in our son, Jame’s, arms.  James was only 11 or 12 years old.  We all cried and cried and cried but maybe nine months later we were all grieved out and ready for another 4-legged, furry family member.  One Saturday morning James jumped in the car with me and off we went to Broward County Animal Care and the Humane Society.  We just knew James would be coming home that day with his new brother or sister!  It was not to be.  They had lots of kitties but we are NOT cat people.  I know James felt dejected and downcast… he didn’t realize it can take time to find the right fit.  The following weekend, and full of renewed hope, he and I made the same trip out to the Humane Society.  Up and down the aisles of runs we walked, looking with anticipation and fierce hope that our wish would be granted.  As we walked by a seemingly empty run we spied the slightest movement of a small, black ball of fur.  I asked the young volunteer helping us if we could meet this fat, timid pup and maybe get to know him a little better in one of the adoption rooms.  James and I looked at each other and smiled.  Maybe the chubby baby dog that had been named “Cameroon”, (how can you name a puppy “Cameroon”??), had found his forever home.  James and I sat patiently in a tiny meeting office waiting for the volunteer to return.  Minutes later the door opened and in her arms was the sweetest, shyest baby dog we had ever seen.  Poor thing wouldn’t even look at us.  She put him on the floor and precious baby tiptoed to a corner and tried to hide behind the metal leg of a chair.  As if.

I gathered him in my arms and felt his little body shaking.  Oh, he was so darling!  “Babe?”, I said to James as I passed Pericles to him, “What do you think?  He’s awfully timid so he ought to fit right in.”  In between petting the dog and murmuring gently in the dog’s ear, James looked up and gave me the happiest, sunniest smile.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is  what we call a done deal.  We drove home with James all buckled up in the front seat and “Cameroon” on his lap.  When we arrived home we realized we needed to give that dog a proper name.  I recall thinking of the great and noble statesman, general and architect of the Parthenon.  I yelled out, “Pericles!”  My husband, Jimmy, a full Greek-American, was more than happy to give the dog a solid, Ancient Greek name.  He has been a joy in our lives.  Perry loves long walks, Christmas morning squeaky toys and cookies.  He knows which stocking is his.  Perry’s a lover of sniffing, barking at lizards, falling leaves and anyone passing by.  Nothing makes him happier than when the entire family is home and talking away, catching up and laughing.  Oh, wait!  He does love a good belly scratch.  And doggy frosty treats.  Summer’s almost on top of us and when that dog comes back from his morning walk, it’s so hot out, he pants for.ever.  After a long, cool bowl of water he’s always ready to go back outside for a frozen doggy treat.  Here’s to ya, Perry.  You the dawg!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the easiest recipes ever.  When I first started making them I made the mistake of taking a taste from the blender to see it the batch needed any tweaking.  Big mistake!  Oh my gosh, it’s so good.  Tastes just like a smoothie, which, in essence it is… a frozen smoothie.  Any yoghurt is fine to use.  I found an inexpensive coconut yoghurt at the grocery store but you can tailor this recipe to fit your dog’s diet needs.  If your pup is super active and burns mega calories whole milk may be for him or her.  Goat yoghurt is wonderful for dogs with sensitive tummies as it’s low in lactose.  Feel free to add a handful of fresh blueberries, strawberries or raspberries.  The peanut butter called for in the recipe can easily be substituted with almond butter or cashew butter.  I pour the finished treat into small paper cups that I have placed on a small baking sheet.  When frozen solid I transfer the treats to a gallon freezer bag and pop them back into the freezer to give to Perry as needed.  I don’t use plastic cups as I try to keep the impact of my ecological footprint to a minimum.  And, yes, I use any plastic bags over and over.  I hope you’ll whip these up for your fur baby.  I know they’ll thank you forever!