Here is a Heartwarming Tale to Read to Your Children this Christmas

The Legend Of Grace (An Old Indian Dog Legend)
by Klea V. Stilwell

There is an old, old legend,
Of how it came to be,
That dog forsook the wild to dwell,
With folks like you and me.

Now man and beast they lived on,
A common bit of earth.
Each species thought the other,
Of very little worth.

One day there was a rumble,
The earth began to quake,
It gave a mighty shudder,
And then began to break.

A crack began to widen,
BETWEEN the beasts and man.
Some watched the crevasse deepen,
  But most just turned and ran.

Now the DOG surveyed the distance,
And MAN beheld it too.
Between them sprang a yearning,
A feeling strange and new.

Then each one begged the other
To make the fateful leap,
Yet each one dreaded jumping
A crack so wide and deep.

So DOG compelled his courage
And told MAN he would try.
He eyed the fatal distance,
For if he failed, he'd die.

Then DOG prepared to jump across
His courage had decided.
That if he could but make the jump,
They'd no more be divided.

His muscles bunched beneath him;
His body left the ground.
The wind raced past his muzzle;
His heart began to pound.

His senses sought the purchase
Of land beneath his feet.
At last his forepaws met the ground.
His mission was complete!

NO! His hind feet have slipped and
He's falling off the side!
His gallant farewell look said,  
"At least, New Friend, I tried."

With disbelieving glance, Man
Beheld his falling friend.
He wouldn't let it happen;
It couldn't be the end!

Then flesh smote air in searching,
And hand met paw and fur.
Then Man pulled Dog to safety
As heart to heart they were.

MAN called and DOG responded,
And though the gulf was wide,
Man gained the loyal canine
Forever by his side!

When baking Goodies this season, don't forget your furry babies.........

Cleo’s Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 eggs
 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
 2 tablespoons dry milk
 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
 2 1/2 cups brown rice flour *  1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.

Directions:
In large bowl, whisk together eggs and pumpkin to smooth. Stir in dry milk, sea salt, and dried parsley (if using, optional). Add brown rice flour gradually, combining with spatula or hands to form a stiff, dry dough. Turn out onto lightly floured surface (can use the brown rice flour) and if dough is still rough, briefly knead and press to combine.

Roll dough between 1/4 – 1/2″ – depending on your dog’s chew preferences, ask first – and use biscuit or other shape cutter to punch shapes, gathering and re-rolling scraps as you go. Place shapes on cookie sheet, no greasing or paper necessary. If desired, press fork pattern on biscuits before baking, a quick up-and-down movement with fork, lightly pressing down halfway through dough. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully turn biscuits over, then bake additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on rack before feeding to dog.

* Brown rice flour gives the biscuits crunch and promotes better dog digestion. Many dogs have touchy stomachs or allergies, and do not, like many people I know, tolerate wheat.

Makes up to 75 small (1″) biscuits or 50 medium biscuits

“Pumpkin Squeaks” Dog Treats

Ingredients:
2 cups rice flour
 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
 1 cup pumpkin puree (one low in sugar)
 2 eggs (I used 3 for more moisture)
 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Read more: www.care2.com

Speaking of Treats.. How can you give these tasty treats SAFELY to over excited pups without getting bit? Here's a couple of ideas that work for us.....