Day 119.5 - Homemade Dog Biscuits - Rock Your K9-Companion's World

This is my dog. I love him. I-love-him. He's the only male in my house (and I'm out-numbered 7-to-1- including the leopard gecko and turtle) who does exactly what I ask him to without whining about it. Not only that, but he does it for the purest reason: to please me. Every girl should be so doggone lucky.

Since I started this cooking project, he has been by my side every step of the way. He accompanies me everywhere I go, and gives me mad props when I'm cooking something he likes. In fact, as I write, he's sitting by  my feet giving me unfailing moral support. Working as I do from home, I could feel isolated, but not so. My Buddy Boy (that's his name), hangs out all day in my office, looks interested when I talk to him and remains calm when mayhem reigns supreme. All he asks for is a few nice long walks in the woods, 2 meals a day and a good belly rub now and then. I could never repay him his loyalty.

Original Painting, Chris Harford

It seemed only right, then, that I cook something special for him. No more of those dry and boring dog biscuits for my boy. These are healthy, relatively tasty (of course I sampled one), and contain no preservatives, chemicals or fillers. And really, how would you feel if you had to eat the same thing every day of your life, twice a day, out of a metal bowl on the floor -  point taken?

For a little added detail, I used rubber stamps and pressed names into some of the biscuits, because I'm pretty sure my dog can read.

Buddy Boy Biscuits (Adapted from cooks.com)

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup dry milk
1 Tbsp. wheat germ
1 tsp. beef or chicken bouillon or soup base
pinch of powdered garlic
1 tsp. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. bacon fat or peanut butter
3 Tbsp. canola oil
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup ice water

Mix together flour, dry milk, wheat germ, bouillon, garlic powder, and brown sugar until well combined. Add bacon fat (or peanut butter) and canola oil and mix, then add egg and water and continue mixing until mixture forms a ball.

Roll dough out on an oiled surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into doggy bone or any shape you like using a cookie cutter. Reform scraps and cut again until all the dough is used.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 25-30 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Store in an air-tight container or tin.