Doggy Desserts. Cheryl Gianfrancesco

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      CompanionHouse Books™ is an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing, Inc.

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      Director of Product Development and Editorial Operations: Christopher Reggio

      Editor: Amy Deputato

      Design: Mary Ann Kahn

      Copyright © 2007, 2017 Fox Chapel Publishing, Inc.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Fox Chapel Publishing, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Names: Gianfrancesco, Cheryl, 1966- author.

      Title: Doggy desserts : homemade treats for happy, healthy dogs / Cheryl

      Gianfrancesco.

      Description: East Petersburg, PA : Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd.,

      [2017] | Reprint of: Doggy desserts / by Cheryl Gianfrancesco. -- Irvine,

      Calif. : BowTie Press, 2007. | Includes index.

      Identifiers: LCCN 2017007319| ISBN 9781621871712 (softcover) | ISBN

      9781931993807 (original print)

      Subjects: LCSH: Dogs--Food--Recipes. | Desserts.

      Classification: LCC SF427.4 .G5294 2017 | DDC 636.7/0852--dc23

      LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017007319

      Original Print ISBN-13: 978-1-931993-80-7

      This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. The techniques and suggestions are used at the reader’s discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem, consult your veterinarian.

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      Introduction

      I will never forget the first time I saw Kooper: a ball of golden brown fur with a wet spot on his forehead from the water bottle in his cage and the sweetest brown eyes I have ever seen. I knew instantly he was the dog for me. I was so excited to finally have a dog of my own. As a young puppy, Kooper was very ill; he could not eat store-bought dog food, and he was on a very strict veterinary diet, which did not include treats. Like any new pet owner, I wanted to spoil my new puppy rotten, and to me, not being able to toss Kooper a much-earned reward was unacceptable. I searched pet stores and any dog treat recipes I could find, but most included salt, sugar, and artificial colorings. My frustration motivated me to make my own treats for Kooper. The treats had to be healthy and tasty as well as easy to make. I have often shared these treats (against Kooper’s wishes) with friends who have dogs. After six years, I have decided to share my recipes that were only for Kooper and his friends. I hope your special loved one enjoys these treats, which will be homemade with your love.

      Baking Notes

      Allergies. Some animals may be allergic to some of the ingredients in these recipes. If your dog has not been exposed to any of the ingredients listed, I suggest that you pick a recipe that has very few ingredients. Give your dog half the treat and wait an hour. If you notice increased scratching, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, or any strange behavior, contact your veterinarian or emergency animal facility immediately. If you observe no reaction, increase the amount of the treat you originally gave your dog. Again, wait an hour. If you observe no reaction, give your dog a larger piece of the treat.

      Treats, Not Meals. These recipes make wholesome treats for your dog because they contain no artificial coloring, preservatives, flavorings, fillers, or chemicals. However, they are treats only and are not intended as a complete diet.

      Ingredients. When purchasing ingredients, choose the best quality you can find and afford. Organic and non-organic ingredients are both fine, so use whatever you prefer.

      Any type of flour can be used in these recipes, especially if your dog has a wheat allergy. If you use white flour, I suggest buying unbleached white flour.

      When deciding what cheese to use, the choice is yours. In my recipes, I suggest low-fat cheeses. And purchase all-natural, unsalted peanut butter with no sugar added; most grocery stores carry natural peanut butter.

      Mixing. Cakes and muffins can be mixed with a fork. Cookies and frostings should be mixed with either a hand mixer or stand-alone mixer. When mixing, if your dough does not seem firm enough, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Mix or knead in the flour until the dough is firm. If your dough is too stiff and crumbly, add more water, one tablespoon at a time.

      Yield. The yields for the recipes provided are just guidelines; your yield may be more or less, depending on the cookie cutter you use and the thickness of your dough. Be creative when baking, and use cookie cutters with a variety of shapes.

      Oven Temperature. Variations in oven temperatures are common. Your oven temperature and the thickness of your dough may cause your desserts to bake quicker or take longer than expected. Check all items periodically during baking. All temperatures listed refer to degrees Fahrenheit. If your dog does not like hard, crunchy treats, eliminate the suggested oven drying time of one to two hours. The drying time removes the moisture from the cookie, making them hard. If you do not dry the cookies after baking, they will be chewy instead of crunchy.

      Storage. These recipes do not have any preservatives to extend their life, so store them accordingly. I normally store treats in an airtight plastic container in a cool dry place, although I do refrigerate cakes, muffins, and treats that contain meat or cheese. The estimated average shelf life of most of the treats is approximately three weeks for cookies and one and one-half to two weeks for cakes and muffins. The longevity of the treats depends on the freshness of ingredients used and the climate in which the treats are stored. As a final note, be sure to cool all food items completely before serving them to your dog.