| This is the story of Spunky, a shetland sheep dog, who | | | | cup cornmeal1 apple, chopped or grated1 egg, beaten1 |
| was an early victim of pet food poisoning. Spunky | | | | 3 cup vegetable oil1 tablespoon packed brown sugar3 |
| survived to tell the tale and his doting owner began to | | | | 8 cup water |
| research recipes for dog food recipes that can be | | | | Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray cookie sheet with |
| made at home for a dog food cookbook. | | | | vegetable oil spray. Lightly dust work surface with |
| My dog, Spunky, was put on a new diet last fall by our | | | | flour. Blend flours and cornmeal in large mixing bowl. |
| veterinarian who sold us the food. After five days | | | | Add apple, egg, oil, brown sugar and water. Mix until |
| Spunky became very ill. He was vomiting, eating less, | | | | well blended. On work surface, roll dough out to 7 |
| became listless and staggered when he tried to walk. | | | | 8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters of desired |
| His veterinarian refused to admit that the new food | | | | shape and size. |
| was causing his illness. Spunky became so ill that he | | | | Place treats on prepared sheet. Bake in preheated |
| was hospitalized for five days and came to the point | | | | oven 35 to 40 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave door |
| where we were told he was dying. | | | | closed for 1 hour to make the treats crispy. Remove |
| I insisted that we try to feed him some of his old food | | | | treats from oven. Store baked treats in airtight |
| before we gave up on him. We visited the animal | | | | container or plastic bag, and place in refrigerator or |
| hospital and fed him small amounts of his old food. | | | | freezer. |
| Within hours his bloodwork was back to normal and he | | | | Recipe makes 24 servings. |
| recovered very quickly. Some damage to his liver, | | | | Pet owners who love their pets will no doubt be |
| kidneys and gallbladder remained but these are | | | | searching for new food sources. Remember that |
| problems that can be monitored. In my anger and | | | | when changing your dog's diet (no matter what the |
| despair I decided to publish an all natural cookbook of | | | | food source) that you need to introduce the new food |
| dog food recipes. Several months later the very food | | | | carefully and in small amounts before actually making |
| that made Spunky ill was added to the recall list and | | | | the switch. If you have any concerns about allergies |
| this only served to make me more aware that pet | | | | and food sensitivity please consult your veterinarian |
| owners need to consider feeding their pets human | | | | before introducing human grade food. |
| grade food. | | | | (c) 2007, Davis Virtual Assistance. You may reprint this |
| An Apple A Day Dog Treat | | | | article so long as you keep it intact with the resource |
| 2 cups whole-wheat flour1/2 cup unbleached flour1/2 | | | | box and make all links live. |