Last week I decided to go home. Now, usually I consider Boise home. I’ve lived here going on 8 years. My friends are here, my job is here…I readily claim this city as my own. But every now and then, I still get homesick. For my real home. For the town I grew up in and to spend some time with my family. Even though I see them throughout the year, I hadn’t actually been home since Christmas. So you know what I did? I drove home.

Through gorgeous fields and hills after hills of golden wheat. It’s harvest season y’all! Just kidding. We don’t say y’all up here. It was harvest time though! Meaning it’s not uncommon to get stuck behind slow moving combines and grain trucks on the drive. I finally made it home. Safe and sound.

Then do you want to know what happened? My mom left me a list of chores. Yes…at 25, I still get chores. Things like do the dishes, water the plants, return some old fair ribbons to the fair office (which is not the same thing as the 4-H office…fyi…) and last but not least, make some dog treats for my puppy doggy!

Now I know Patches isn’t realllyyy a puppy anymore. But he’s my baby. So he still gets homemade treats. It’s weird not having Rookie around, but Patches doesn’t seem to notice. He’s pretty much completely deaf now and lives in his own little world. His nose still works just fine though, he’ll wake up if you’ve got treats nearby!

These treats are super easy to whip up. Plus you can feel a little better about spoiling your pet if you know exactly what you’re feeding them. The original recipe is from a pet cookbook called “Goodies for Dogs and a Few for Cats” from our local humane society. It has super cute recipes, all compiled from other humane societies. Think titles like Snickerpoodles and Peanut Butter Basset Biscuits. Adorable, right?? Don’t get too excited though, this one is just called Dog Biscuits. Sorry to get your hopes up.

As you can see, these treats are Patches approved! It’s not just our human friends that want baked goodies…our four legged friends do too! Plus this just goes to show you’re never too old to feel the need to go home. Or be too old for your mom to leave you chores.

~Stephanie

Homemade Dog Treats (adapted from The Peninsula Humane Society)

• 1/2 c cornmeal
• 2 c whole wheat flour
• 6 tbsp oil
• 1 egg + water to total 2/3 c

1. Using hands, combine all ingredients. Add a little water if dough seems too dry.
2. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into small shapes and place on greased baking tray OR press into parchment lined baking sheet until 1/4 inch thick, and using a knife score the dough into small squares.
3. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Once cooled, remove from baking sheet. If you scored the dough, now break or cut pieces apart.
5. Store in airtight container

*Note* Depending on how often you give your dog treats, you may want to keep some in the freezer in a ziplock bag. They will keep longer this way and you can thaw them as needed.