Fat Tuesday is a time to eat and be merry – don’t leave your hungry hound out of the mix! Spoil your pup on this celebration with some delicious meat cakes that are not only nutritious for your furry friend, but a treat that you can both enjoy.

Prep Time: 35 Min.
Cook Time: 1 Hr. 15 Min.
Ready In: 2 Hrs.
Serving Size: 4

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. and 2 tsp. of brown rice
2/3 cup water
¼ large potatoes, grated
½ large carrots, grated
¼ large celery stalks, chopped
11 ounces ground beef
7/8 eggs
1/8 dash salt
1-1/4 tsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. and 2 tsp. regular rolled oats

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 4 cups of large muffin tins.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, uncovered, and cook 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool several minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, ground beef, and eggs. Mix ingredients together using your hands or a sturdy spoon. Add salt, olive oil, rolled oats, and rice; mix well.

4. Fill each muffin cup with some of the meat mixture, and pat down to make it firm. Bake 45 minutes, or until surface feels set. Cool on a rack 10 minutes or longer.

5. Remove the meat cakes by turning the muffin tin upside down over a sheet of aluminum foil. Tap each muffin cup to release the cake. Refrigerate or freeze in sealed plastic bags. NOTE: Do not feed to dogs while still hot.

Pet owners receive unconditional love from their furry friends, and Valentine’s Day is a great time to show appreciation while keeping it safe. Here are some tips (and treats) to offering your pet the best Valentine’s Day yet:

Safety First!

Chocolate, Cellophane, Decorations – Many of us will be spoiled with chocolates on Valentine’s Day, but chocolate is a fatal hazard to dog’s and should be stored in a safe place. If you indulge in sweets that are wrapped in plastic cellophane, be sure to dispose of the wrapper immediately to avoid risk of your pooch mistaking it for a tasty treat. Likewise, any balloons, ribbons, or other various decorations should not be accessible to your furry friend.

Flowers – Place floral arrangements out of your puppy’s reach; different plants and flowers can make your pooch sick if ingested, or even be fatal, so admire your flowers from afar.

Candles and Cocktails – Candles are a great mood setter for a relaxing night, but don’t forget to blow out any candles before leaving the room. Leaving lit candles unattended can burn your buddy or create a fire. Beverages containing alcohol should be enjoyed safely and then cleaned up; alcohol consumed by pets can lead to comas and respiratory failure.

Love Always, Your Owner.

1. Essence Dog Harness B – This soft, heart patterned jacket style dog harness is not only festive (and adorable year round), but it’s comfortable on your pooch during walks. (We also carry an Essence Dog Harness A style and a separate matching Essence Dog Lead to complete the look)

2. Heart Felt Moppy Tug Dog Toy – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a pink heart toy that is perfect for pulling, tugging, snuggling, and chewing.

3. Love and Rock Thermal Dog Tee – This adorable dog shirt features a cool heart tattoo print with a studded double felt heart appliqué that will have them looking as loved as they feel!

1. Volkswagen “Slim Dog” – Volkswagen did it right this year, coming in number one with over 100,000 votes and featuring Bolt the dog, a chubby canine who notices the new Volkswagen Beetle outside and loses weight in order to chase the car. The ad ends with Star Wars characters viewing the commercial from a galaxy far, far away.

2. Doritos “Bribe” – The second favored Super Bowl commercial went to Doritos, which also featured a dog as the product’s selling point. In this ad, the family cat, Fluffy, goes missing and a large dog uses Doritos chips to bribe a man on keeping quiet, stating, “You didn’t see nuttin”.

3. Bud Light “Weego” – This clever commercial by Bud Light featured a dog named Weego who fetched beer on command to anyone who said “Here Weego”, which is a play off the product’s catch phrase “Here we go”.

Be kind to your wallet and your pooch!

1. Minty Dog Ropes – Soft braids of rope are infused with mint to give dogs a delectable chewing experience and fresh breath. Chewing rope helps dogs clean their teeth, and the mint scent encourages them to continue chewing.

2. Fuzzy Monkey Dog Toys – These plush monkey toys for dogs are tons of fun at playtime. Each monkey is made with brightly colored plush and features a big smile and a squeaker inside.

3. Gingham Bandanas – Our Aria Gingham Bandanas feature classic gingham patterns in three bold colors. Soft cotton bandanas are sized to fit most dogs and feature fray-resistant stitched edges. Perfect for adding a fresh touch to any outfit, and they also look great on their own!

4. Filled Pork Bone Dog Treats – Twice the meat, and twice the flavor! Each flavorful authentic pork bone is stuffed with delicious porn or salmon jerky to give dogs a tasty, long-lasting chew.

5. Rubber Curry Dog Brushes – Curry Brushes remove dead, loose hair and massage the dog’s skin. Helps distribute natural oils in the coat. Improve the effectiveness of shampoo. It also has high-quality rubber construction.

Canines are miraculous creatures with quite an abundance of fascinating facts. Here are five fun doggie facts for all of you dog lovers to enjoy:

1. A one-year-old dog is as physically developed as a fifteen year-old human; this means exercise is vital for dogs. Provide daily walks and playtime for your energetic pooch.

2. Brushing your pooch three times a week during the spring time will conclude in a summer free of shedding; not only will grooming your pooch help keep shedding to a minimum, it will attribute to a healthier hound.

3. If teaching your dog to catch a ball is harder than it should be then switch the tossing item to something softer, some dogs find it easier to catch softer items; invest in one of our plush dog toys for a softer playtime.

4. Typically, when a dog howls in the wild it is to bring the pack together. If you notice your pooch howling it may be because they are lonely and instinct kicks in. To avoid a lonely canine companion, be sure to show much love and attention. When you aren’t at home, keep the television on for sound.

5. Dogs have been loyal pets to people for the past 12,000 years!

Hooking your hungry hound up with a hardy homemade dog meal can be quick and simple. Providing a healthy meal from home is helpful in monitoring what your canine is taking in, processed commercial dog food is never a good option. Instead cook up a meaty, cheesy meal that your pooch will drool over.

Ingredients:
3 lb. protein (pork, chicken, turkey, or beef)]
1 c. cooked green beans or peas
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 c. cooked brown rice

Directions:
1. Cut meat into bite-sized pieces, sauté over medium heat until no longer pink.
2. In large bowl, stir together meat and cheddar cheese. Let cool.
3. Once cooled, add rice and veggies, mix together.

Feeding Guidelines:
Small dogs: A portion is about ¾ cup
Medium dogs: 1 ½ cups
Large dogs: 3 cups