Today is our dog, Arlo’s very first birthday! Last January, my husband and I decided it was time to once again fill our home with the pitter-patter of puppy paws. We went down to the Humane Society just to ‘look’. However, I knew we weren’t there just to peruse the pups – I knew I couldn’t leave without a new little ball of fur! We walked down the row of puppies, petting each of them and wanting to take every single one of them home! My husband stuck his hand into a bin and one little guy literally wrapped himself around my husbands arm and started to cry. This little pup instantly melted our hearts and we knew he was the one.
My husband and I have always had big dogs and thought this time we would go with a medium-sized one. He was SO tiny when we first took him home, I could easily pick him up with one hand. I can’t believe there was a time when I thought he may end up being a small dog. WRONG! Arlo grew like a weed and he is now an 85 pound bull in a China shop!
When I was making these cookies, Arlo must have somehow known these treats were for him. He is usually very well-behaved when I’m cooking. However, this time he sat right beside me the entire time, looking intensely at what I was making – in fact, he practically crawled in the damn oven with the cookies! After the birthday treats cooled, I gave one to Arlo. At first he dropped it on the floor and just nosed it. I was thinking – ‘oh great, he hates them! ‘ However, after some inspection he finally bit into the cookie and scarfed it down! I gave him a couple more and then I placed the extras in a tin and set them on the counter.
I walked into our office, took a seat at the computer, and began working. Shortly thereafter, I heard soft little barks coming from the kitchen. I know exactly what that bark means, ‘Oh momma, PA-LEEEZE!!!!’ I walked into the kitchen and found Arlo sitting in front of the counter desperately trying to appeal to my soft side. Big eyes, ears back, head tilted – he was pulling out all the stops! These cookies were like doggie crack!
It was his birthday after all, and so I gave in… just a little bit. Happy 1st birthday, Arlo!
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what an adorable story 🙂 it is now one year later so i am thinking arlo is wiser and cuter and sweeter because we all know furry sugar has no limits, right? i pinned his photo with the treats because i could not resist… look at his face wondering if he is going to get another… made me giggle. i titled the pin: arlo “bull in a china shop” birthday treats. i am making about ten different cookies for my dog gift boxes this year; my own boy is the taste tester. thank you for the recipe, arlo and mom!
Oh my gosh! Such a sweet comment! And you know what’s so funny, we call Arlo ‘the bull in the china shop’!
I’m so sorry I’m just getting back to you now (I’m at the Food Blogger Central Conference). Arlo actually just had his 2nd birthday a few weeks ago – we took him to the dog beach and he seriously had the time of his life! I hope your pup likes these cookies as much as Arlo does!
Hi Kathleen! I make dog cookies for our two Border Collies on a regular basis! l always had BIG dogs and decided to down size about 15 years ago to the borders. Well, they are not huge but they each weigh about 60 pounds! BTW, Arlo is gorgeous!
Hi, Dorothy! Thanks so much for stopping by! My husband and I had plans to down size as well (we always had really big dogs too). Arlo was so small when we got him, we thought he’d be a nice medium-sized dog… he’s now 85 pounds! I guess there’s just more of him to love 🙂 Actually, it’s his 2nd birthday on Monday. I think I’ll make a cake this year.
Oh my gosh I love dogs, I have two. Tomorrow I am making these treats, I’m sure Snoopy and Leone will love them. Thanks
What cute names for your pups! Snoopy was always my favorite, as a kid… and still is 🙂 I hope they like them as much as Arlo!
These are awesome. Period.
Thanks! 🙂
Oooh, this was such a cute post! I can just imagine your doggie sitting there with his big doggie eyes begging for these biscuits. I think I would have found it hard not to give him every single one!
Thanks, Helen! I did end up giving him quite a few… well, maybe more than a few 😉
Awww! Happy Birthday Arlo! Our dog Champ turned 14 in September 🙂 … and she loves her treats! I’m going to have to try this!
Wow – 14 is great! Happy birthday to Champ as well! I hope he enjoys them as much as Arlo 🙂
You just melted my heart with this post. Being the puppy lover that I am. I am SO glad you included a photo of Arlo at the end because otherwise this comment would be filled with “WE WANT ARLO, WE WANT ARLO!” instead of just raving about the recipe.
When I opened my emails at 5.35 am this morning and saw this new recipe, I literally started grinning from ear to ear. Your blog is like a shoe shop to me. Because I didn’t realise I NEEDED aqua strappy flats with silver beading until I saw them. Just like seeing this makes me realise immediately that I need to make doggy treats for my pup!
PS Go the big dogs. Mine is 80lb. I love him to bits. Sickening adoration.
PPS Happy birthday Arlo!! Give him a big hug and kiss for me. And I’m sending you a photo of what I would deliver to him if I lived in the US 🙂
Aww, thanks Nagi! I can’t tell how happy it makes me to know how much you enjoy the recipes in this blog! I will certainly give Arlo a hug and kiss for you… as if he doesn’t get those all the time anyway 😛
Happy Birthday Arlo, what a cute puppy. I hope he enjoyed his dog biscuits.
Thank you! Yes, he enjoyed them immensely! 🙂
Happy Birthday Arlo! He is so cute! What yummy looking treats you’ve made him. I would have to try them, like that you used sweet potatoes! I recently made peanut butter treats for our dog and he loved them (he likes everything “food”)!
Aww… thanks, Mira! 🙂 Those peanut butter treats sound good – lucky dog!