February is a month that has a celebration for just about anyone. For sports fans, there’s the Super Bowl. For party-goers, there’s Mardi Gras. For foodies there’s National Pizza Day – and National Chili Day for good measure. For the health-conscious, it’s National Heart Month. For the history buffs, it’s Black History Month, as well as Iwo Jima Day and Presidents Day.
And of course, there’s Valentine’s Day. But there’s also Random Acts of Kindness Day and, one of my favorites, National Love Your Pet Day.
More than 60 percent of Americans own a pet, and studies have shown that owning a pet can reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
I’ve had a variety of pets throughout my life, though unlike President Calvin Coolidge, I never did have a pet pygmy hippo. As a child I talked my parents into practically every kind of pet, including a German Shepherd, a cat, many fish, mice, guinea pigs, parakeets (One bird actually chose us by landing in our front yard.) Oh – and did I mention the gerbils that I was assured were both female? Thirteen babies later proved the pet store sales clerk didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.
I like cats though they make me sneeze, but they love me. A friend told me her shy cat had never approached any stranger other than me. Most of all, I absolutely adore dogs. There’s nothing quite like the enthusiastic tail-wagging they greet you with, no matter how many times during the day you leave and come back. Their entertaining antics keep me smiling, while their love of play keeps me active and healthy.
Piper is my husband’s co-pilot as they fly over Puget Sound! She eagerly jumps in his plane but doesn’t have her solo license — yet.
I love my cairn terrier Piper every day, but Love Your Pet Day – February 20 – gives me a chance to shower her with extra time and attention.
One thing I’ll do every now and again is make these super easy, only three ingredient, dog treats.
3-Ingredient Dog Treats
Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour (or 1 cup oat flour)
1/3 cup natural peanut butter (ground peanuts should be the only ingredient) **
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix together.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on your counter. Roll out dough ¼ inch thick.
- Cut with a cookie cutter or simply into bite-sized squares and place the pieces on a nonstick or foil-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes depending on the desired crunchiness of the treats.
**Remember to double-check that your peanut butter does NOT contain Xylitol. This sweetener is highly toxic to dogs.
If you’ve read any of my books, you know how much I adore dogs, especially Piper, my cairn terrier. No surprise that all but one of my books have a dog as a pivotal character. I’m working on the final editing of my latest manuscript, which has a loyal and sweet Pembroke Welsh corgi named Bonnie.
I recently read Annie Rains’ latest book, The True Love Bookshop. A sweet romance, with a satisfying ending, and yes, there’s a much-loved cute dog running around.
She’s ready to start a new chapter in her life…
For Tess Lane, owning Lakeside Books is a dream come true, but it’s the weekly book club she hosts for the women in town that Tess enjoys the most. The gatherings have been her lifeline over the past three years since her husband’s mysterious death. Tess has tried to move on, but when River Harrison shows up on her doorstep, all her lingering questions come rushing back.…
When secrets surrounding her husband’s death are finally revealed, can Tess find it in her heart to forgive the mistakes of the past … and maybe even open herself up to love again?
If you don’t have a pet, you can still share some love by making a donation or volunteering some time to your local pet rescue.
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Please enter my Giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card plus a copy of my latest novel, A Lancaster Family Secret, or your choice of any of my books. US and Canada only. Winner will be announced Tuesday, February 21, and has three days to respond to my email.
We have a Tucker. He is a sheepadoodle. He is 100% my husband’s best friend even though he was to be mine. Lol I do know what we would ever do without him. He brings so much joy in our lives.
Would love to win! Love your books !
Dogs do seem to choose their owners, not the other way around. I’m glad Piper chose me!
We have a Tucker. He is a sheepadoodle. He is 100% my husband’s best friend even though he was to be mine. Lol I do know what we would ever do without him. He brings so much joy in our lives.
We have a 120 lb Airedoodle who is such a big part of our family. Bo loves long walks through the wooded trails which is great because he keeps us moving. I need to try the healthy recipe for the doggie treats.. I am sure Bo will love them.. ❤️
Piper keeps me moving too!
We have bloodhounds they take of mommy being I am disabled
Bloodhoundw? How marvelous!
We are looking for a pet, but haven’t found one yet.
It is certainly wise to take your time until you find the right one!
We have four fur babies. They are like my children. I tuck them in at night and spoil them rotten. They love me unconditionally as I also love them unconditionally. Some people doesn’t like dogs and that is fine with me, they can just stay away. I’m not putting that as being mean. But everyone that knows me, knows that when someone comes in I put them in another room. My dogs are my babies.
You sound like me!
I haven’t got a pet of my own but my grandchildren have a mini pincher Have a great day!
I haven’tt gotten a pet yet. I’d like to get a shelter pet soon….if i could have a kitten and a puppy that would be what I’d like to do but i am in an apt., so probly only a medium to small dog for me or a cat. I haven’t decieded which yet
Thank you and good luck in the giveaway!
No hurry. When the time is right …
I have two wonderful cats . They make me smile everyday and make me happy. Life would be so boring without my boys, Hamilton and Jefferson.
I adopted a 10 lb Shih Tzu named Coco. The Rescue told me she was very timid and would need a patient owner. Well, she actually ran to me and graced me with many kisses. They were shocked, and Coco was home. ❤️
I used to make “people friendly” doggie biscuits for my Max. Complicated recipe with unysual ingredients. This recipe soubds so much better & yummier!
That was unusual ingredients. Thx autocorrect!
Pets…..one day sitting on the swing on my deck, I thought…”Every pet on this property is because of Taylor, our first grandchild…..the first pet, a Beagle, Bailey….she was brought in to help Taylor pull her grades up (2nd grade)….hmmm every hear of a dog tutoring??? Then we have her two cats……I said lets get chickens … so that when we moved UP to the Ga mts 8 years ago, and our daughter and 2 grands moved up, we could show them a “bit of farm life”….Then I wanted a bunny….to run thru the yard and I could throw carrots or lettuce out for when they ran by….one night Taylor, then a teen, and her boyfriend, bring in a big cage, 2 bunnies and all the accessories…..Yeah I guess Im a pet person….haha Would love to win this contest…..thanks…
I have a cat named Beau! He is 11 years old and is never far from my side. We had dogs when the boys were young but now I just enjoy the grand dogs when I go to visit!
I Love Your Books & Will Read Your New One. My Dog Will Love Her New Treats. Thanks For The Recipe
My daughter has a black lab named Daisy. She’s by my side the entire time I’m visiting !
We have a fur baby as well. Her name is Bella and she is rotten to the core. She has been a life saver for our family. We got her six years ago after my mom passed away. She is a very important part of our family. She has chosen the entire family as her own especially me and my son.
Piper the co-pilot! I love it! It sounds like a children’s picture book title. Emma Lou has never been on a plane, but she enjoys bike rides in a backpack, boating, kayaking, hiking, and generally going wherever we go.
Yesterday was her observed 8th birthday. She got to go to the store for treats and new toys.
There’s nothing like the love of a pet. They give back way more than we give them. Sadly our precious chihuahua furbaby crossed the Rainbow Bridge on June 30, 2022 after 17 years, 7 months and 17 days. He was our life and to say there’s a huge void is a vast understatement.
We revolved our lives around Snickerdoodle’s needs and wants. We planned vacations around where he was welcomed and then decided if it was a fit for us. When we got a long dreamed of Goldwing trike, we had a custom little sidecar complete with windshield so that he could ride with us right beside me on the back seat. He was a comfort and companion with my parents during some difficult times until they went to their heavenly home. He become a diabetic on insulin twice a day and was on heart medication. We would travel several hundred of miles to take him back to “his” doctor when we moved. We cooked him homecooked meals and then he’d give you those eyes to where he’d end up with some of what you were eating. Even with all of this, we would have given anything to still have him with us pain free and just as loving as he was from when we got him at barely 6 weeks to the very end.
This all boils down to the fact that some pets aren’t pets — they are members of our family that we love wholeheartedly and miss they greatly when they pass on.
Give Piper some extra loving today because one day you will miss those wet kisses.
Love the recipe & story! Thank you!
Tater and I love all you messages and trips to the beach. would love any of your great books .
I love this day. Of course like you, every day is Love Your Pet day for me. Love the photo of your husband. I grew up on a farm and we had all kinds of animals. Personally I had a horse, cow and pig. I had them all in 4-H. Goldie my palomino and I rode all over the desert. We did barrel races and the two of us loved each other so much. If I fell or was slipping she would stop until things righted. Burgandy Rose was my short horn. I would lean against her and read. She wouldnt move until I did. One time at a fair, I fell asleep on her side. My three brothers were all too happy to tell these two newspaper men about Burgandy and I. Yup we were in the newspaper. We won the trophy for AZ CA NV then went onto nationals. And then there was Squeak. I rescued him. He was the runt of 13 piglets, my dad was going to put him out of his misery. NOOOOOOO !!! Mom let me save him and he slept in a box in my bedroom. Until he got big enough that when he rubbed his nose up and down the sliding glass door to go out or come in, mom said that was enough. He had to stay outside. He thought he was a human. He became an 800 lb boar and gave wonderful litters. I love all animals. They each have something different to give us.
I have a pet cat named Trouble and my hens all have names and like to be held.
I would love to win this.. Thank you so much.. We love our fur babies too. We have 3 ..
Bocephus chose us, he showed up 4 years ago, and no one claimed ownership, so he moved in, he’s an escape artist, every time I find his escape hatch, he figures out a new one, but a few minutes and he’s back at the door wanting inside..
Shadow is a Chihuahua Minature Pincher mix, showed up at my daughter’s house almost 2 years ago, with no chip and no one claimed her, so I was fostering her, count me a foster failure even though she didn’t like me. For the first 6 months, the only thing she wanted from me was food. Now she is a lap warmer.