Howling Hounds Happy Hour January 27, 2010

We all love a good happy hour!  Active trail dogs do too!  With Trail Dog Treats on hand, you too can host your favorite hounds for tasty snacks and bowls of ice cold water to wash it all down. 

Tatum recently invited over a few of her furry friends for happy hour…  Bowser, Peachy, Lucy, and Cooper.  Not only are play dates important for socialization, but more importantly it’s a great way for Tatum and gang to blow off some steam!  These gatherings also for me to have a break in my day, with free time to work in the kitchen and bake up new recipe ideas.

Favorite happy hour treats include savory and zesty ingredients like cheese, garlic, and beef… available in mini squares, crackers, and bone shaped treats.

Another successful happy hour with Tatum!  The sign of a good play date…

           

Labs Labs Everywhere! January 18, 2010

Sunday hike with the three musketeers!

This week’s visitors include Bowser and Peachy, two loving Labs who were very excited to hit the trails with me and Tatum.  We made our way up the snow packed and somewhat icy trail to Maxwell Falls in Evergreen; a moderate and beautiful hike.  The Yak Tracks came in handy to avoid slipping and sliding along the way… easy to carry and a staple in my pack.

Cracking through the thin ice that covered the brook along the way, the dogs enjoyed fresh water whenever they needed to hydrate.  Very important for dogs to stay hydrated, even in the winter.  As I read in an old issue of Just Labs magazine, it’s important for your dogs to drink lots of water on long hikes, even in the winter.  Snow isn’t a substitute for the real thing, so be sure to pack water for the pups or take advantage of natural running spring water!

Treat of choice: Crispy Granola Balls — yum!!

This Week’s Taste Testers January 9, 2010

Emma & Lenny, siblings (back row) - Cooper & Tatum (front row)

Tatum and I have been entertaining house guests all week.  Cooper, Emma and Lenny needed a place to crash while they’re parents were out of town, so they came to stay with their favorite dog sitter.  What a perfect opportunity to do some baking and try out new recipes!  Cooper was so excited he actually put his tennis ball down long enough to run through the kitchen and poke his nose in the oven, while Lenny, the smallest of the bunch swept in like a mop licking up any crumbs he could find.  Tatum and Emma were the perfect students as they sat quietly, tails wagging furiously, waiting for me to offer up a sample. 

The newest menu item… Crunchy Granola Balls!  A big hit with all the pups.  These can be served as a mid morning snack or for an energy boosting treat on the trails.  Now that I got the “paws up” from my taste testers, Crunchy Granola Balls are now offered in the Trail Dog Treat variety pack. 

Time to head out to the local dog park to burn off the treats…

First Hike of 2010 January 3, 2010

Yesterday Tatum and I summited Bergen Peak for our first hike of 2010.  Great way to start off the New Year…  crisp, clear winter day with a nice layer of snow on the groud for Tatum to romp thru!  I’ve hiked this mountain many times, but haven’t been up at this altitude for a couple of months so my lungs were talking to me.  Looks like I have my work cut out to prepare for upcoming snow shoe races and events.

As we made our way up the trail to 9,700 ft. I had plenty of time to think up some new recipe ideas. 

Can’t wait to start baking up tasty new treats to offer my customers in the coming year… thinking of granola energy bars… stay tuned for updates on new menu items!

In between batches of biscuits, Tatum and I will continue to get our inspiration in the hills and on the trails!

    Happy New Year!