Chicken/Chicken Garlic Treats

Blogging Friends.... Boy, have I become the world's worst Blogger lately!! And truth be told? I miss Blogging twice a week!! Here's the thing. I planned to post on Saturday, September 13th {I really did!!} but then my plans were thwarted by a minor mood swing-infused pity party the day before!! Ugh. More shall be revealed. For I am still processing everything nine days later!! {Do not worry!! I am completely recovered!!} Love you later.

Today is September 21st!! And that can only mean one thing. It is Rose's fourth Gotcha Day!! Wow. Just. Wow!! Four years?! Where does time escape to.... Outer space?! I think it does!! I decided years ago with Shadow that I would not count the passing of time with how old my dog is. But rather. I would count the passing of time with how many Gotcha Day anniversaries we have been blessed with!! It feels far less depressing, as I cannot evade Rose's inevitable death. That being mentioned. I've completely lost track of how old Rose is!! Whenever people ask, I literally count on my fingers to determine it!! Is that bad?! And honestly? Rose's age--like her mix--is anybody's guess, anyway!! Why? Because the shelter where I adopted her guessed that she was four years old. Then we drove Rose to our veterinarian. He guessed two and a half or three years old!! So!! We rounded Rose's age down to three years old!! Which means. Rose turns seven years old today!! There, I wrote it!! Rose turns seven years old today!! I think!! Four Gotcha Days. Seven years old. Either way, in honor of Rose's big day, I, of course, baked a batch of dog cookies!! Although, I must mention. This recipe was originally planned for Independence Day!! But what with switching up bedrooms and writing a fictional children's book? I did not have the time!! Better late than never?! As per usual, I gave Rose tastes of the ingredients as I mixed everything together. Most of which she loved!! Except for garlic powder. Because like with honey and maple syrup, Rose could not even get past its strong smell!! Go figure!!

Rose would rate this recipe four 'paws' way, way up!! {Yes, she got a pre-Gotcha Day sample!! Two, actually!!}

Chicken Performance Cookies

This protein- and fat-rich biscuit {They are more like cookies!!} would be a good one to bring along on an excursion with your dog (like a hike). If you'd like, you can substitute 3/4 cup of Simple Liver Puree for the baby food.

2 cups whole wheat flour, plus extra for rolling

1/2 cup rye flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg

1/2 cup safflower oil {We do not have that ingredient. So I, being a rebel, used vegetable oil!! It worked!!}

2 tablespoons chicken broth {Rose loves this ingredient!!}

2 (2.5-ounce) jars of chicken baby food {What did I use? Gerber chicken and chicken gravy!! Rose love, love, loved her taste of that ingredient!!}

For the egg wash:

1 egg

Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the flours, baking powder, and garlic powder in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, beat one egg. {I just whisked it!!} Add, oil, broth, and baby food to the egg and blend together. {I just stirred it!!} Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon, then knead to incorporate all the dry ingredients. The dough will be soft a somewhat oily. {It was crumbly!! The dough kept peeling like a terrible sunburn!! And it seemingly dried very fast!! I added a little water to my dough!!} Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. {I always just eyeball it!!} Cut into shapes with cookie cutters {I used twain bones. One heart. Twain dogs. And one paw print!!} and place on a baking sheet covered with greased or non-stick foil. {I sprayed my pan!! But some of the cookies still stuck to it!!} Beat the other egg {Again, I just whisked it!!} and add a pinch of salt. Brush a little of the egg-and-salt mixture on top of each cookie, to make an attractive glaze. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes {All ovens are different. But I baked two separate batches for 20 minutes!!} or until the tops {are} brown. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. {I baked 21 cookies!! Therefore, I needed twain airtight containers!! But I will freeze some in a plastic bag to prevent them from developing mold!!}

Happy, happy, happy fourth Gotcha Day, Rose!! Here's to many, many, many more!!