Puppie Parties. Day 3 The Birthday "Cake"

The "Cake" is the most exciting part of the "Paw-ty"!

Whether you make a whole "Cake" or individual "pupcakes",

These recipes will surely please all the Pups! You may want to add another cake or some dessert for the Human guests".

Serve in paper bowls, decorated in your pawty theme.

This recipe makes a real layer cake! Chicken, bacon and yogurt provide aromas that drive dogs crazy for this cake.

Bacon Chicken Layer Cake
3 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 cup margarine, softened
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup corn oil
2 jars strained chicken baby food
2 cups finely shredded carrots
plain or vanilla yogurt
2 or 3 strips of bacon, fried crisp, then crumbled, or use bacon-flavored jerky strips, cut into bits.

Generously grease and flour two 8" round cake pans; set aside. Combine flour and baking powder; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat softened margarine until smooth. Add eggs and corn oil; mix well. Add strained chicken, and shredded carrots and mix until smooth. Add flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour batter into the 2 prepared 8" cake pans.

Bake at 325° for 60 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Place one layer on a serving plate and spread yogurt over top. Place second layer on top, then spread yogurt on top and sides of entire cake. Sprinkle crumbled bacon or bits of jerky strips over top. Use "Pupperoni" sticks for candles.

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Naturally sweet, colorful and flavorful, this cake is simple and easy to make. Great for Fall.

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Cottage Cheese as "frosting"

Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8" round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots.

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Pupcakes

Individual cakes for all the guests

1 large apple

1½ cups whole wheat flour

¼ cup oatmeal

2 teaspoons of baking powder

½ teaspoon of baking soda

½ cup plain yogurt

½ cup water

¼ cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons of honey

2 eggs

1 cup grated cheese

FROSTING:

18oz lowfat cream cheese

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

2 tablespoons of honey

Preheat oven at 375 degrees Grease muffin tins.
Core, slice and mince the apple. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix flour, oatmeal, baking powder and baking soda together.
In a medium bowl, blend the yogurt, water, oil, honey and eggs together. Then stir in the apple and cheese. Add to the flour mixture and stir until mixed. Spoon into the muffin tins, filling each cup about three quarters full.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Let rest in the muffin tins for a few minutes, then remove and set aside.
For the frosting, combine the cream cheese (at room temperature), honey and yogurt until smooth. Spread on the pupcakes. Can add Pupperonies cut in half as "candles"
Makes about 16 pupcakes.

This Week is Puppie Parties! Dog Parks for Day 1

Let's all "PAW-TY"!
Brought to you by Pets Adored

Birthday parties for your pooch is "all the rage" & why not? He or She IS a part of the family! They greet you every day with a waging tail & a sloppy kiss, they snuggle up when you are feeling down. They ARE a best friend!

So celebrate their Birthday OR just as a "thank you" for being there.

This week I will be posting some great ideas & links to make your next Pawty a success!

First decide on when & WHERE you want to have your Puppy Party! If you live in the country & have alot of running space.... you could have your party at home. Just be sure you have the area fenced in. Even though YOUR dog may not be a "runner", your guests might.

The best place to have a Pawty are Dog Parks. Check out this Nationwide list of dog parks in your area... http://www.usadogparks.com/

The term "dog park" generally is used where the design of the park, and its amenities make it clear that dogs are invited, not just permitted. Most people, however, use "dog park" to mean a place dogs can play off leash.

When Choosing a Dog park for your Party.... Consider the following:

Is the park enclosed?
Some are, some are not. Some are as small as a quarter acre; some are 50 acres or much more.

Is there an entrance fee?
Sometimes. In many states "recreational use immunity" protects landowners from liability only if no fee is charged. It pays to check this out. Sometimes fees are assessed on an annual instead of a per use basis. Fees are most common with privately owned parks.

How are dog fights avoided?
Dog fights can and do occur. The most successful dog parks are the ones with an active user group. An active users group can reduce the risk of dog fights significantly. They step in and encourage or demand (as the case requires) leashes or removal of aggressive dogs.

Most dogs are not aggressive because they are not on their own territory. The dogs that use it most successfully are dogs that were socialized very young and had good experiences as they visited. Depend upon and learn from the dog savvy people to see indications of an impending squabble. Redirecting the dog's attention at exactly the right moment can make all the difference. Your tone of voice and your body language will also make a big difference. Keep calm, don't praise fearful or aggressive behavior by "soothing" the dog with petting and cooing sounds.

Are the parks privately owned or public property?
Some are public, some are private. Insurance can be a problem for private parks. Public resistance to spending taxpayer money is a problem for public parks.

What Amenities are included at the park?

Water fountains, Feces disposal stations, tables or benches for the Owners. All of these are important to check out.

Come back tomorrow & for the next few days for more ideas & recipes for your PUPPY PAWTY!