Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!

Oh boy! I mean...

Oh girl! Oh girl!

In honor of the new addition to my dear friends' family,

I've decided to put together my list of essential puppy supplies.

The must haves for every family with a new puppy member.

When I adopted Murphy, I hadn't had a young dog for 16 years. 

It was a bit overwhelming to pick out things for him,

and I ended up spending a lot more money than necessary.

So, I will help save you some money by giving you my list of must haves. 
But first..meet Daisy. Isn't she the cutest?!

Though I'm sure you'll find many cute things to also purchase...I did.

 
 
 Top 10 Puppy Supplies
These supplies are in addition to the basics; food, kennel, bedding, and collar. Though you can go over to my blog post entitled, Top 10 Dog Products, for other ideas about those topics.

1. Feeding Mat by Platinum Pets- Dogs are messy eaters, and though this isn't a fancy supply you will love it! Unlike other mats, this one has a little lip so that all of the water drips and spilled food stays in one location and off of your floors.

Amazon Price: $14.95

2. Puppy Primer by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. and Brenda Scidmore:

 

This is the first book to purchase and read.  Though once you begin reading advice from Dr. Patricia McConnell you will want to read more because she's AMAZING! Dog training and behavior can be complicated, but she gives simple and sound advice for seasoned and beginner dog owners.

Amazon Price: $13.46

3. Puppy Kong:

This is the toy that will help keep you sane and your puppy busy.  Stuff it with treats, or even better line it with peanut butter and your sweet puppy will be licking it clean.

Amazon Price: $6.40

 

Treats and lots of them- Here are my favorites.

4. Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats- These little, soft treats will entice your pup to practice her manners and training.

Amazon Price: $7.99

 

5. Natural Balance Beef Formula Dog Food Roll, 4-Pound- This is an economical way to always have high-quality natural treats on hand. Chop the rolls up into small bite-sized pieces and you're ready to train and reward positive behavior.

Amazon Price: $12.78

 

6. RC Pet Products Doggie Bag with Me Love Treats Pattern- You'll want to keep the treats in a handy spot and a treat bag is the perfect way to perfect sit, down, and stay. Plus, it's cute and who doesn't like cute?!

Amazon Price: $6.53

7. Roamer™ Leash from RuffWear

It's a hand-held, waist-worn, and bungee extending leash...perfect for an active pup and times when you need your hands free. This is our newest product purchase from Paws on the Beach in Lincoln City, Oregon. I was tired of the extend-a-leash and loved that this had a bungee-cord in the middle.

Amazon Price: $34.95


8. Kyjen Plush Water Bottle Buddy Dog Toy- This is a crunchy...crunch, crunch toy that will keep your pups chompers busy while you make dinner, chat with friends, or write your blog post.  Crunch! Crunch!
Amazon Price: $5.99

9. Premier Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harnesses for Dogs- No one enjoys walking a pup that tugs and tugs and tugs.  Other harnesses might be fine, but if your dog is as strong and determined as mine, than you definitely need a harness with a d-ring in the front.  That way when he or she tugs, it turns them around and away from whatever is catching their attention and bring their focus back to you.  Perfection.
Amazon Price: $15.87

10. Premier Pet Waggle Dog Toy- Wiggle-waggle, wiggle-waggle, this is a fun toy to help keep your puppy busy, again.  Keeping your pup active and their brain engaged will help them stay out of trouble and your furniture in one piece without teeth marks. The Busy Buddy toys will help on all fronts.

Most of all, enjoy the time with your puppy.  Run, prance, skip, and play! The time that they're so young is short and so important.  Help them become the best possible dog that they can be.

Remember, a happy and tired puppy, makes for a happy human.

Love,

Lori and Murphy

"Ring! Ring!" It's for you Murphy!

Woof! Woof! or Bark! Bark!

Every dog has his day,
and today was that day for my sweet Murphy.

I wasn't sure if it was actually going to come this month

since I signed up late on the 10th of June.

But today when the mailman came to the door,

he knew that this delivery wasn't from Amazon...

and the contents were definitely not for me.

No, it's not his birthday.

But every furry companion should be treated special

and this is a fun way to make that happen.

Before the box was even opened there was a

wiggly-waggly nose sniffing the edges like a crazy dog.

Since Murphy isn't a "food driven" dog,

I knew there must be something extra tasty in there.

That was definitely the case.

Beer Murphy?  Really?! Fine...you can have a sip since it was made just for you.

So what is this fabulous box with Bowser Beer, you ask?

None other than the "BarkBox" of fun!

I had seen advertisements for this company,

but I really didn't know if it would be worth it.

Then, I learned that there was a Groupon for a 3-month trial membership

and figured that it was worth a shot!

At least from the first box, I can tell that it's going to be totally worth it.

And from the excitement and eager anticipation from Murphy...I think that I was correct.

What was in his box besides the doggy beer?

Wonderful things!

1. Heartland Premium Bone: Murphy has been chewing on this bone since the box was opened!
2. Bowser Beer:  They suggested putting it with crushed ice for a pup slushy and that's exactly what I plan to do.  He'll love it on a hot and steamy day.
3. Puppy Cake: Paptato Chips made from dried sweet potatoes...Murphy adores sweet potatoes!
4. Whole Life Burger Treats:  Oh man, we cracked this bag open right away and even a Murphy who isn't that into food, loved 'em.
5. Dale Edger's Calm K9:  I know that these are going to be good because they were made right her in Portland, Oregon.  It says that it will help to soothe frighteded nerves and help pups with anxiety...I can't wait to see if it will help my sweet but fearful Murphy.  Good thing it arrived right in time for the 4th of July!

So how does it work and how can your pup get fun treats too?

From BarkBox website:
"When you sign up for BarkBox, every month you will receive a box in the mail with four or more carefully selected products and presents for your dog – anything from toys, bones and all-natural treats to hygiene products and innovative new gadgets!
If your dog is begging for more or you want to gift a favorite item to a friend, we’ll give you exclusive opportunities to order more products at a great rate.
A portion of proceeds from each box will go to help doggies-in-need. To learn more about our causes, read about our giving program.
Whether you’ve known your furry friend for years or have a new special canine in your life, BarkBox is the monthly necessity for keeping your pup entertained and feeling well loved.
To get a better idea of what's in the box (and to see some cute and happy dogs), visit our Facebook Page."

Pretty easy, huh?!

I can't help but spoil my best

furry friend every once in a while.

He saved my heart initially,

and continues to make my life

complete each day.

Happy Un-Birthday Murphy!

From me and BarkBox

Woof! Woof!

 

Snowball in June

You remember these, don't you?
Ah, the snowball.
As a kid you probably snuck one into the grocery cart and hoped that your mom wouldn't notice it until after checkout.
Or you had them when a parent brought in treats for a classmates' birthday.
Either way, though as an adult you wouldn't admit that they're delicious...they are delicious!

But it's not going to make the adult palette happy in the little plastic wrapper, so I figure that it needs to be made much, much bigger.  Since this is an adult cake, I'm also changing up the classic chocolate center to a sweet little champagne cake.

A Happy Snowball Cake!

To make this happen I combined two different recipes from two of my favorite cookbooks; Vintage Cakes, and The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook.

Champagne Cake
Slightly Adapted from Vintage Cakes by Julie Richardson

2 cups sifted cake flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
4 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup canola oil (I only had vegetable oil- totally fine)
1 cup dry sparkling wine

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Sift flours, baking powder, and salt- I sift twice to make it extra smooth.
2. In a stand mixture, combine eggs, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed for one minute.
3. Slow the mixer to low and add the oil, pouring down the side of the mixer until it's well blended.
4. Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, with the wine in 2 parts.  Make sure you scrape the sides between each addition.
5. Be careful not to over mix it!
6. Divide batter into two pans that are greased and lined with parchment paper on the bottom.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.  My oven baked this cake much faster, so I suggest checking it at 25 minutes.
8.  Cool cakes in the pans for 30 minutes, then remove and let them completely cool.

Frosting and Filling:
Buttercream, Triple Berry Buttercream
slightly adapted from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Makes about 6 cups
1 cup butter (2 sticks) at room temperature
6-7 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 milk (I used whole milk)
2 tsp vanilla extract



Berry Jam- I used my new favorite homemade triple berry jam- made by ME :0)
3 cups Coconut- tinted pink or whatever color you would like!

Making the Buttercream:
1. Cream butter on medium speed in a stand mixer for 3 minutes until fluffy and light.
2. Slow the mixture to low speed and add 4 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Mix until creamy.
3. Add 3 more cups of sugar and combine until smooth and creamy- about 3-5 minutes.
4. Divide frosting into thirds.  In 2/3 of the frosting add 4 oz. of jam- mix well and adjust to taste. This will be used as the filling.

Constructing the cake:
1. Trim the edges of the cake to the size that you want.  I like to take the outer edge off before putting the cake together. 
2. Slice each cake into two halves.
3. Place one half on your serving plate, then add a layer of berry buttercream.  Turn one cake top over, and then add another layer of berry buttercream. Continue this process, then use the top dome to finish the stack.
4. Place the cakes into the refrigerator for a half an hour.

5. Remove cake from the refrigerator and use some of the buttercream to lightly ice the cake. 
This will help to stabilize the layers.
6. Place cake into the refrigerator again for a half an hour.

7. Remove the cake, and add the final layer of buttercream icing.  Don't worry about being to smooth...you're adding the tinted coconut around the entire cake.
8.  Take the coconut and press it into the icing until in is completely covered.  Beautiful!



Now if this isn't a fun way to have a snowball in June, then I don't know what is!  All you need now is an amazing group of friends to enjoy this cake with.  Lucky for me, I do.

Happy Baking!
Lori