Crafters for Canines
Browse unique items created for the health and happiness of you and your dog at a new site that showcases the artisans of ArtFire. It's a great place to shop for your 4-legged friends. We're now accepting new studios. Please check back often to see what new shops and handmade products have been added.
New ArtFire Studio for Better Bones!
Biscuit Mix Now Available!
Bake your own dog biscuits with my Oatmeal Cookie Biscuit Mix. Just add water to make 12 oz of whole wheat - oatmeal biscuits. If you wish, you can add your own touches such as peanut butter, carob, applesauce, etc. The kit comes complete with a 2 1/2" dog bone cookie cutter and instructions. Great as a gift for the dog lover! I'll even include 2 cello bags to package your treats for gifts. The ingredients in this mix are white whole wheat flour, oats, nutritional yeast and cinnamon.
A Dog's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper
.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest— and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
— Beth Norman Harris
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper
.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest— and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
— Beth Norman Harris
What is Spelt?
Spelt is an ancient form of modern day wheat. Spelt contains more protein than wheat, and it's protein is easier to digest than wheat because of it's high solubility in water. It's nutrients include vitamin B2, manganse, niacin, thiamin, and copper. Spelt flour can be substituted for wheat flour in any biscuit recipe. The natural nutty flavor of the spelt flour should be well accepted by any dog. Although biscuits made with spelt flour are not wheat free or gluten free, some wheat sensitive dogs are able to tolerate this relative of traditional wheat. You should be able to purchase spelt flour in the natural food section of your local grocery store. If you'd rather not bake them yourself, I offer Spelt biscuits on my ArtFire site.
Doggie Knows Best
With the Holiday Season right around the corner, I'd like to share with you these wonderful insites:
1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
4. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
5. Take naps and stretch before rising.
6. Run, romp and play daily.
7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
9. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
10. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run back and make friends.
11. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
12. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
Tips from my Dog on How to Enjoy the Holiday Season ...
by Rev. Jerome Blankinship
Sunrise Hospital Senior Chaplain, Las Vegas NV
1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
4. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
5. Take naps and stretch before rising.
6. Run, romp and play daily.
7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
9. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
10. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run back and make friends.
11. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
12. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough.
Specialty Flours
If you want to bake some special biscuits using flours such as oat, brown rice or barley, but can't find them at your local market, it's quick and easy to grind your own. Flour is simply a finely ground grain, so if you have a sturdy high powered blender you can make enough for a couple batches of biscuits in about 5 minutes. For oat flour, you don't want the husks, of coarse, so use any rolled oats you like. Your harder grains such as rice and barley are ground uncooked until they reach the powder stage. If you make too much, store the excess in your freezer to keep it fresh. Grinding your own grains is not only healthy for your dog, but you can experiment with all kinds of grains and it's a whole lot cheaper than buying all that flour.
It's only WATER..... But is it?
So you're being a conscientious dog owner and baking your own biscuits. You've combined wholesome, healthy ingredients and now it's time to add a liquid. So you head for the faucet and draw a cup of water. WAIT JUST A MINUTE! Do you drink that water? If you're lucky enough to live in an area with great water from the tap, then go ahead and add that water to your recipe. BUT, if you refuse to drink your tap water do to mineral content (or lack of), impurities, or off-flavor, why would you want to subject your dog to that same water? I use the same water that I drink to moisten my biscuit dough. Mine happens to come from purified water I get through home delivery, but you might also use water filtered at your tap or bottled water purchased at your local grocery store. For only a few cents a batch, give your dogs the healthiest ingredients and the best flavor by using a water you trust to drink yourself.
Biscuits for Cats?
This is by no means a scientific theory - but I've recently heard from two different sources that their cats are fond of the dog's home baked biscuits! Now I don't have a cat, so I can't experiment, but maybe you can. If you have a cat, try giving him a freshly baked small biscuit or piece of biscuit. If he likes it, when you bake your next batch for Fido, cut some tiny pieces to bake for the cat. And please, let me know what happens!
Easy Cheerios Dog Treats
There's a great i-Village video on making a healthy treat for you dog using Cheerios and peanut butter. The video also has recommendations for supplementing your dog's diet with vitamins. Check it out at http://video.intheloop.ivillage.com/player/?id=207797. I've never tried these treats, so come back and let us know how your dog liked them!
GINGER - good for troubled tummies!
Does your doggie pal get sick when you try to take him for a ride in the car? Ginger just might be the answer. Ginger has been used for centuries to alleviate nausea, motion sickness and indigestion in humans, and it may also work for dogs that get sick on car trips. You can even find pet tonics containing ginger specifically for Fido's tummy troubles. But the easiest way to give ginger is in a dog biscuit! Try feeding your pet a couple ginger biscuits before taking a car ride. Your dog will love them and they could prevent the upset stomach, salivating and vomiting that accompanies motion sickness. You can bake your own biscuits and add 1-2 tbsp of powdered ginger per pound of biscuits, or check out our Ginger Tummy Tamer biscuits. My research about dogs and ginger has not discovered any toxic responses to this spice.
Chocolate Chart
I've just discovered a really cool chart that shows you the toxicity of chocolate per weight of the dog and type of chocolate. Check out the Chocolate Chart from National Geographic.
Nutritional Yeast (Brewer's Yeast)
Nutritional yeast, usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a deactivated yeast and an excellent source of amino acids and B vitamins. It can be found in pet stores as a supplement for your dog in tablet or flake form and can be found in most health food stores. It has a nutty or cheesy flavor that most dogs love, and may also assist in flea control. Among other benefits, it's vitamins and minerals are thought to promote a healthy coat and reduce shedding. Often called brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast is not a by-product of the brewing industry because it is grown on molasses specifically for human consumption.
It is important to use deactivated yeast rather than live yeast cultures such as baking yeast in your dog's treats. Live yeast can continue to grow in your dogs tummy and produce excessive gas and bloating and even possibly prove fatal in extreme cases.
It is important to use deactivated yeast rather than live yeast cultures such as baking yeast in your dog's treats. Live yeast can continue to grow in your dogs tummy and produce excessive gas and bloating and even possibly prove fatal in extreme cases.
Easter and Chocolate
Easter is coming and I would like to warn everyone again about the toxicity of chocolate for dogs. Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine which can be fatal to dogs in sufficient quantities. Most dogs have a sweet tooth and will seak out and enjoy sweets, including chocolate, whenever they can. So be careful where you hide your Easter baskets this year. If Fido finds your basket first, it would not be unusual for him to devour all the edible treats, and that amount of chocolate could be fatal. Please be safe and keep the chocolate away from your pets. For symptoms of poisining and more information, see this article at The Dog Owners Digest.
All About Carob
Carob is the ground pod of the evergreen Carob tree, with an appearance and flavor similar to chocolate. It does not contain caffeine or theobromine, ingredients found in chocolate that are toxic to dogs. It is rich in Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin A, niacin, iron, calcium and magnesium. It has a lower fat content and higher natural sugar content than chocolate. Carob comes in both a powdered and chip form. I prefer to use the powder in my biscuits because there are no added fats or oils.
Baking for Fido
If you'd like to bake your own dog biscuits, there are lots of recipe books and websites available. But beware of some ingredients you may find in published recipes, especially those found on the internet. Too often, well meaning pet owners bake for their dogs and include ingredients not appropriate for Fido. And if you're taking the time and effort to bake, you might as well use the best ingredients you can. I suggest whole wheat flour instead of white flour, no soy or corn, and no added salt. You can use your own discretion for some other ingredients such as dairy. You also have the option of using rye, rice, barley or buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour. Experiment and have fun. Your dog will love you for it.
Unsafe Foods for Your Dog
Many foods that we humans enjoy are not safe for your dog. Some common foods that should never be fed to Fido include chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, alcohol, and large amounts of garlic. These foods cannot only make your pet sick, but could prove fatal. For a more detailed listing of toxic foods and their consequences, visit Foster & Smith's PetEducation.com .
Call Me SIBER Chef
No doubt about it, I am a dog lover. Thirty-five years ago, we adopted our first Siberian Husky. We lived in Buffalo, New York, and our little girl was very happy in the cold and snow. But you know how it is.. it wasn't long before she needed a playmate. Her brother soon followed, and since that time we have always kept at least one Husky. We are now living in Las Vegas, quite a change from Buffalo, but our dogs are still happy as long as they can stay in the air conditioned house in the summer! I started baking biscuits years ago, and found my dogs liked them so much, I decided to try different flavors. There wasn't a home baked biscuit my dogs wouldn't eat! It seems dogs, like people, appreciate freshness and quality ingredients. I've opened Better Bones Bakery to spoil your dog with natural goodness. Mine are spoiled already!
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