I had this go round with Whole Foods last year. I asked them about stocking a brand of meat substitute that is made here in the US - has been in business for 60+ years making high quality meat substitutes with nary a recall. I got a bunch of blather about standards and supporting developing countries. I'm all for supporting developing countries - I'll happily pay for a hand made scarf made from hand sheared and hand spun wool from somewhere if that is what I want. I simply see no sense in paying inflated prices for "exotic" foods that are manufactured without any kind of standards or controls. The whole "organic" thing makes me crazy. What does "organic" mean anyway - it means whatever the vendor wants it to mean - it doesn't necessarily mean its better for you, but it always means its more expensive. I love our farmer's markets - only locally grown produce. I love the stands the farmers set up out on the little roads to sell their produce. I love that they know my name because they see me every week. I'm a lot more comfortable with that than I am with something imported from China (or other places). Okay, I'll quit ranting. So far so good on the pet foods for me, but I'm giving real thought to making their food myself.

One day I was looking for a place to tie my 70 pound mix up outside the Office Depot. The cashier motioned to me to bring him inside. So for about 18 months we both went in the store instead of just me. He never let out a peep, just slowly wagged his tail, usually got petted by the dog friendly customers and employees. One time as we waited in line to check out, the person ahead let out a shriek that everyone in the store heard. The dog did not react at all. The next time we went in the store manager said dogs were not allowed unless they were special needs dogs. I did not get upset with the store, maybe they changed their animal policy (and maybe they didn't have one). But I noticed with some amusement that while the dog was calm outside the store before; after his inside visits he barked at most people who went into the store while he had to wait outside. Seems like most folks who want to pet dogs don't know how to safely pet one (IMHO). I try to get the neighborhood kids to learn properly how to pet older dogs, but the folks at the nearby Petco just bend over and pet dogs like the average person does.

This one has it all: rot iron, chester drawers, lots of helpful ideas for fixing up all the broken pieces, even the reason she is selling her stuff. You really feel like you know her by the time you read to the end. Here is a link that might be useful: She must be blonde LOL

I made the Molasses Onasis last week(minus the garlic but with chopped up fresh parsley) ..and need to make another batch this week. Jilly loves them! These were posted years ago by Marlen. Fido's Favorite Treats 1 c. Rolled oats 1/3 c. Margarine 1 c. Boiling water 3/4 c Cornmeal 1 tbp. Sugar 2 tsp. chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon 1/2 c. Milk 4 oz (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese 1 Egg, beaten 2 c. To 3 cups whole wheat flour. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough. On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness, cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes on until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 1/2 dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits. ***************** Molasses Onasis 2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 cup white flour 1/ Tsp Salt 2 Tbs Vegetable Oil 1/4 Cup Milk 1/4 Cup Cornmeal 1 Tsp Garlic Powder 1/4 Cup Oatmeal 1/4 cup molasses 2 large eggs Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix dry ingredients. Add oil, molasses, eggs and milk. Add more milk as needed to make firm dough. Roll the dough so that it is 1/4" thick and cut into shapes. Bake on lightly oiled cookie sheet for 25-30 minutes. ***************** Here's some more I collected from folks at the Cooking Forum. I've made the below Scones and they were a hit too. I added Rosemary and thyme to them. I don't use garlic in dog treats. Scrumptious Scottie Scones Makes approximately 25 sweet and savory scones Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2 cups white flour 2 tsp baking power 1 tbsp honey cup vegetable oil 1 egg, beaten ½ cup skim milk (I used 1 % because thatÂs what I had) 1 clove garlic, minced Combine flour, baking power and honey in a bowl. Add oil, egg, milk, garlic, and then stir until mixed thoroughly. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to ½ inch thick, cut into 2 inch squares and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, allow to cool on a rack, and then serve. Store in an airtight container, and enjoy! Snickerpoodles Dog Treats 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup honey 2 eggs 3 3/4 cups white flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup cornmeal 2 teaspoons cinnamon Mix vegetable oil, shortening and honey together until smooth. Add eggs and beat well. Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Knead dough until mixed well. Shape dough by rounded teaspoons into balls. Mix the cornmeal and cinnamon together in a bowl and roll balls in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with a nonstick spray. Press the balls down with a fork twice going in 2 different directions or press with your favorite stamp. Bake 8 minutes at 400. Remove from baking sheet and cool on a rack. DOUBLE GINGER DOG BISCUITS 2 ½ c Whole wheat flour ½ c powdered milk ½ t salt ½ c butter 1 T sugar 2 T ground ginger 3 T chopped crystallized ginger 1 egg ½ c water Put first seven ingredients into food processor, pulse until mixture looks like cornmeal. Add egg and water, process until dough forms a ball (you may need a little more water). Roll to 1/3  1/2 inch thick on floured board, cut to desired shapes, gather together and re-roll scraps. Place on cookie sheet with non stick foil on it or spray sheet with Pam. Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes until firm and dried out. For biscuits to keep well they must be baked until dry and hard. You can also leave them overnight in the oven with door ajar to dry out further. BACON CHEDDAR BISCUITS 2 c Whole wheat flour 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped ½ c bacon fat 2 c shredded cheddar cheese 4 strips cooked bacon cut in small pieces 1 egg ½ c milk Put first three ingredients into food processor, pulse until mixture looks like cornmeal. Add remaining ingredients and process until dough forms a ball. Roll to 1/3  1/2 inch thick on floured board, cut to desired shapes, gather together and re-roll scraps. Place on cookie sheet with non stick foil on it or spray sheet with Pam. Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes until firm and dried out. For biscuits to keep well they must be baked until dry and hard. You can also leave them overnight in the oven with door ajar to dry out further. Dog Treats (Marilyn) This is the one that Dana loves: 1/2 cup cornmeal 1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons low sodium beef, vegetable or chicken stock (regular bullion and canned stock has way too much salt). 2 tablespoons Oscar Meyer Bacon Crumbles 6 tablespoons olive oil 2/3 cup water (approximately) Mix together well. Roll out to approximately ¼ inch thick and cut out with dog biscuit cutter. Bake at 350° for approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Cool completely. Tip: Recommend cooking your own bacon as you will be able to baste the biscuits during baking. One or two pieces of cooked, crumbled bacon should do. If you would rather not cook bacon, use Oscar Meyer Bacon Crumbles. Bacon Bits have tons of red dye in them as well as too many chemical ingredients. DOGGIE TREATS 1 cup rolled oats 1/3 cup chicken fat (or shortening) 1-1/2 cup boiling chicken broth 3/4 cup cornmeal 1 t. sugar 2 t. instant chicken bouillon 4 oz. (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese 1 egg, beaten 2 to 3 cups whole wheat flour Heat oven 325 F. Grease cookie sheet. In large bowl, combine rolled oats, chicken fat, and boiling stock, let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, cheese and egg. Mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup, level off. Add flour, 1 cup at a time, mix well after each cup to form a stiff dough. On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2-in. thick. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake at 325° F. for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3-1/2 dozen large, or 8 dozen small biscuits. PET PARTY MIX 2 cups Cheerios 2 cups spoon-size shredded wheat cereal 2 cups Crispix cereal 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine 2 Tblsp. dry gravy mix 1/2 cup Kraft grated American cheese powder 1/2 cup Bacon bits 1 cup Dog jerky/Pupperoni/Snausages Preheat oven to 250° F. Pour melted butter into 13 x 9 baking pan. Stir in cheese powder, bacon bits and gravy mix. Add cereals and stir well until all pieces are coated. Heat in oven for 45 minutes. Meanwhile cut doggie meat treats into 1/2-inch pieces. Remove cereal from oven; add doggie treats. Store in airtight containers. May be frozen and keeps well.