My dogs love these homemade dog treats...

After that dog food scare awhile back where some dogs were sickened or even died, Hubby & I made a decision that our dogs would no longer be fed commercial dog food, including their beloved dog biscuit treats.  This way, we’d know exactly what went into the food, and we’d also be able to easily steer clear of cornmeal, which is hard to avoid and seems to aggravate our dog’s allergies.

First stop: the Internet.  We looked at several sites that had dog treat recipes, and we gravitated towards these two:

Bullwinkle Free Dog Treat Recipes -- which has numerous free, printable recipes. 

The Poop Pantry -- they have dog recipes and treats you can cook for your dog.

We began with the Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers (very easy, only 4 ingredients) and Bacon Bits for Dogs (I never met a dog that didn’t like bacon) and Canine Carrot Cookies (my dogs adore carrots).

Then we set out to create our own homemade dog treats. We call our recipe: Peanut Butter Puppers.

I don't watch the Rachel Ray Show much but I'm glad I channel surfed to her show today, because I learned how to make Pooch Smoothies!

They are ice cube sized popsicle treats for your dog (minus the stick). You might also call them Yogurt Cups for Pups... or Puppy Popsicles.

The best part: They're made with all the same ingredients you would use to make a Fruit Smoothie for yourself!

Many of you know that I've been honing my skills in the kitchen lately, and experimenting with a lot of new recipes -- including Rachel Ray's.

Well, it turns out she has quite a collection of dog-friendly recipes, too!

I haven't tried any of them myself yet, but I have to say... I think my dog would be quite pudgy if I served up all of the delicious treats that Rachel Ray lists in her Pet Archives.

It's no secret that I love Kong toys.

I also highly recommend the Kong Company newsletter, and I would encourage you to subscribe to their FREE Kong newsletter, too.

I did. Each time it comes out (only 3 times a year), I find so much great info inside!

Here's what it's like...

How will your dog be spending Thanksgiving this year?

Chances are, most dogs will find themselves smack dab in the middle of the holiday festivities... and most will be on the prowl for Turkey treats and dropped food particles!

For the record, we don't give our dogs table scraps or people food except when they are ill and need a "special diet" to combat diarrhea or vomiting.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't include your pet in the day's activities. Here are some fun ideas & safety tips to keep in mind...

If you're dog is celebrating a Birthday, or some other special occasion... maybe Fido deserves an extra-special treat like these dog-friendly frosted cakes & treats that can be shipped to your door... or dog birthday cakes that you can make yourself!

Check out all these fancy treats for your dog and party guests.

Wondering what to stuff inside of your dog's Kong toy?

These dog recipes make delicious treats -- whether you decide to stuff them inside a Kong toy, or just serve them up as special homemade treats for your dog... anytime!

What do most people stuff inside their dog's KONG toy?...

While peanut butter is probably the most popular, it's not the ONLY thing.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Here are the foods to AVOID giving to your dog (human foods that are poisonous to dogs), as well as those which are OK for pets.

Plus, what you should know if you decide to offer table scraps and other people foods to your dog.