It’s December, the most wonderful time of the year.
We would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
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by 
December
categories: Calendar
by by Tag: treats
by Happy 13th Birthday Oscar
categories: Oscar
WOW, today my boy is officially a teenager!! Thirteen of the best years have been spent with my baby Oscar. The love I have for him is unexplainable, kind of like your first love. He is my soul mate and my best friend! We have been on many life adventures together and somehow we always know how the other is feeling. I would say we are the perfect match 🙂
So what do you do for your fur baby’s thirteenth birthday…. Celebrate of course!
This year will be a little different because we have Zara who will be joining in the fun. So far they have eaten cake, opened presents and played a whole bunch of games together, and I have documented everything!
Here is how Oscar will be celebrating his thirteenth birthday:
Breakfast in bed:
Everyone deserves breakfast in bed on their birthday, so that is what Oscar got! I made all of us some yummy pancakes with greek yoghurt and frozen berries. The humans of the house got Nutella and berry pancakes… Here is the recipe-
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tbs melted butter
1 tbs honey
1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
Sliced banana
Frozen berries
Greek yoghurt
Directions
Whisk together all your ingredients in a mixing bowl. Heat up your pan and lightly grease it with cooking spray or coconut oil. Take a spoonful of your batter and place it in your pan to make small flapjack style pancakes. Take some slices of banana and press them into each pancake. Cook your pancakes on each side until golden and cooked through. You can serve as they are or take cookie cutters and cut shapes. Serve them on a platter with some drizzled yoghurt topped with frozen berries. These are so good the entire family can enjoy them.
ps: if you have any spare pancakes you can freeze them for convenient breakfast in bed days…
With a birthday cake:
Of course I have baked Oscar a gorgeous birthday cake for him and Zara to devour! I love baking for my fur babies and when it’s a special occasion like this one, I go all out! This year
Oscar and Zara got their own cake which is decorated with homemade treats! Here is the recipe-
Ingredients
1 cup Apple Sauce
1 egg
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup wholewheat flour
1/8 cup coconut oil
Frosting ingredients
1 cup Greek yoghurt
1 cup peanut butter
Directions
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix together all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then add your flour and beat well. Place your cake mixture into a greased cake tin and bake for +-30 minutes or until cooked and golden. Once cooked remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly, remove it from the cake tin and let it cool completely before you begin icing it. To make the frosting simply beat together the greek yoghurt and peanut butter until it is a yummy creamy and smooth consistency. Once your cake has cooled you can spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake and decorate as you wish with homemade treats. You can place it in the fridge for a couple of hours or over night to set the frosting. Let your birthday boy enjoy his special cake 🙂
For the homemade treats-
Ingredients
2 shredded carrots
1 shredded medium apple
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tbs coconut oil
1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour
A few drops of food colouring if you feel like making them a specific colour
Directions
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix together all the wet ingredients in a mixing bowl, add the food colouring too if you wish, then add your flour. If the mixture is too sticky simply add more flour, if it is too dry add more milk. Once you have the perfect dough, roll it out onto a floured surface and using cookie cutters, cut out the treats. Place them on a greased baking tray and bake for +-20 minutes or until cooked and golden in colour. Once cooked let the treats cool before decorating your pups birthday cake.
Opening presents:
Oscar is a very intuitive boy and he knows exactly what is going on around him! He know’s when it’s special occasions for presents such as his birthday, Easter or Christmas. He loves unwrapping his gifts and making a mess. This year he had a little helper and they both had a great time. Of course Zara got gifts too because I cannot give one without the other… That’s just me! So both babies were really spoiled.
Creating memories:
Photographs last forever, literally! And that is why Oscar is the most over photographed pup on the planet. On special occasions I like to go all out and take as many photos as I can so we can look back and remember those special moments. This year is no different, the camera came out the moment we all woke up and I won’t put it down until we all go to bed tonight! Oscar’s birthday is a huge day and I will document each and every moment of it. Have fun with your pup, get him to pose for you, add some props and take some snaps together! Selfie sticks were invented for a reason 😉
Having fun:
Everyday spent with Oscar is a fun day, but on his birthday I like to create extra fun by doing the things he loves to do most, like having a picnic in the garden, going for a walk, playing games and taking an afternoon nap together!
Oscar’s thirteenth birthday will definitely be one to remember…
We hope you enjoy celebrating your pups birthday as much as we do!
Thank you for reading
by Oscar’s dry skin.
categories: Oscar
We all know what it’s like to have dry itchy skin… not nice!! So when your pup experiences dry and itchy skin caused from the harsh winter weather, it’s only natural to want to try and help him! Oscar’s skin is definitely dryer in winter and I need to take extra care to make sure it clears up and doesn’t bother him. During the winter months I try to keep him indoors so that he stays clean. Bathing him too often in winter definitely contributes to his dry skin, even though I always use a conditioner. Oscar has no issues with staying indoors, he loves nothing more than all day snuggles on the couch under his duvet-who wouldn’t? If it is really cold I have to coax him outside with treats just so he can use the bathroom, and he lives in his pyjamas! When it comes to winter, Oscar absolutely hates it! Luckily for him spring is around the corner and he needs to be in tip top condition, here are some things I like to add to Oscar’s diet to keep his skin healthy and his fur shiny…
Olive oil: this is a great one because we all have olive oil in our cupboards. I just drizzle a tablespoon over Oscar’s dry food which of course he loves.
Coconut oil: I have already written about how amazing coconut oil is for your pup (to read about the Wonders of Coconut Oil, click here), so it’s time to include it in his daily diet! I love making frozen coconut oil drops or simply scoop small blobs and dot them over his dry dog food.
Tuna in oil: Oscar goes crazy for tuna! He knows exactly what I am about to open before I have reached for the tin opener-haha! For Oscar I always opt for the tuna in oil, I either give it to him as is in his treat bowl or I make yummy treats for him to enjoy. The fish oils, mixed with the added oils do magic tricks for Oscar’s fur. Give it a try!
Ingredients
1 tin tuna in oil
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 egg
Directions
Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. If the mixture is too sticky then add more flour until you get the right consistency. Roll the dough out and using cookie cutters cut cute treats for your pooch. Place them on a greased baking tray and bake for around 25 minutes or until cooked and golden. Once cooked allow the treats to cool before letting your pup enjoy. Store them in an air tight container.
Humidifier: a great room moisturiser is a humidifier. Oscar sleeps with us in our bedroom and we use a humidifier every night which helps keep Oscar’s skin moisturised too.
We hope that by using these easy tips, your pups skin will be summer ready in no time!
Thank you for reading.
by Hoppy Easter
categories: Holiday fun
In October last year, we decided to expand our family and we adopted two gorgeous bunnies! Valentine and Duchess are two super cute fluff balls that are always up to mischief. Duchess is the girl, the ringleader and the boss-but then most of us woman are… (hahaha).
Valentine by nature is quite a chilled little guy, he isn’t too shy and loves cuddles and kisses. Duchess on the other hand is quite shy and only comes to you on her terms, but when she does, she basks in the kisses and cuddles she receives. When she has had enough she lets you know and swiftly hops away. They are absolutely adorable and of course Oscar adores his babies too. Every morning there is a kissing and sniffing ceremony that is too cute for words! Valentine is more forthcoming in these ceremonies, but Duchess is slowly coming around. She is royalty after all and does things when and if she feels like it. Meal times are my absolute best. Watching them devour their daily salads and learning which greens they love and which fruits they are not too keen on is the perfect way to spend my morning. I grab a cup of coffee and Oscar and I just sit and watch them enjoy.
They are curious little creatures too. I am forever thinking of new ways to keep them entertained, giving them new toys to play with and things to gnaw on. They get bored quite easily so it is important to give them new things to throw around and investigate. Something as small and insignificant (to us) as a toilet roll holder can keep them entertained for hours. Bunnies, as I have come to realise are extremely clean pets. They are forever grooming themselves and each other. Duchess will sit and lick Valentine and make sure he looks in tip top condition, of course while he falls asleep!
Now I am most certainly not saying rush out and adopt a bunny for Easter! For 10 years I have wanted a bunny to love and cuddle, and now I have two. I am over the moon with happiness, but I did my research and made sure that I could provide the very best for Valentine and Duchess to keep them happy. It takes, time, dedication and money to raise any pet and bunnies are no exception.
I am so excited to spend their first Easter spoiling them and loving them, of course with Oscar and my human man too 😉 Here are some of Oscar’s Easter spoils this year as well as spoils for Valentine and Duchess. So if you have pet bunnies spoil them over Easter too…
Oscar’s Easter Box
Why not create a fun and exciting Easter box for your pup… Here are some goodies you can include that are available in the Stylish Paws online store. Click here to browse.
A new collar and leash set
A comfy and warm jacket
Non-slip doggy socks
An adventure harness
A doggy bowtie
Mini Donuts
Every pup needs Easter treats to enjoy! Now these are not the healthiest treats I have ever made, but they are oh so yummy. You and your furry love can enjoy these as a little Easter spoil…
Ingredients
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar (please do not use Xylitol!)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbp melted butter
2 eggs
Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
food colouring
sprinkles
Directions
Using an electric beater, beat together all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl for 5 minutes. Plug in your mini donut maker, or preheat your oven to 180 degrees and prepare your donut trays. Fill your donut trays with the mixture and place them in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until cooked and slightly golden. Remove your cooked donuts and gently place them on a cooling rack to cool. Repeat the process until your mixture is finished. I have a mini donut maker so I will be using that. Pour enough mixture into each donut ring, close the lid and leave it for 10 minutes or until cooked and lightly golden in colour. Once cooked, scoop the donuts out gently and let them cool on a cooling rack. Carry on making your donuts until your mixture is finished. Once all your donuts are cooled, they can be iced. Mix together the icing ingredients and add your food colouring to the desired colour you are looking for. Carefully dip one side of your donut into the icing and place back onto the cooling rack, sprinkle with some pretty sprinkles and let them dry. Once the icing is set you can enjoy these yummy treats with your furry love! Savour these moments in life, they are precious.
My real Easter Bunnies: Valentine and Duchess
Because we now have bunnies in our family, of course they need to get spoiled too! Here are some goodies that Valentine and Duchess will be enjoying this Easter…
Bunny Basket
Valentine and Duchess will also get an Easter box this year filled with fun things to keep them entertained as well as some yummy homemade treats.
Toilet roll holders filled with hay and their favourite fresh herbs.
Toilet roll balls filled with their favourite herbs. Bunnies love to toss things around and these can come apart and they can roll and throw the rings around. It is a real winner.
How to make them
Take a toilet roll holder and cut it up into rings. Carefully intertwine the rings so they eventually make a ball. Squeeze herbs into the crevices and let your bunny roll them around and have fun.
Homemade treats
Make something your bunny can enjoy over the Easter holidays.
Ingredients
1/2 cup rabbit pellets
1/2 cup oats
1 ripe banana
1/4 cup butternut
Directions
Cut up the butternut and dry roast it in the oven until soft. You can also boil it until soft. Grind the dry ingredients using a food processor so they become fine and of a flour consistency. Once the butternut is cooked, mash it using a potato masher.Mash the banana and add both the banana and butternut to the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly so a dough forms. Roll your dough out and using small cookie cutters cut out your bunny treats. Place them onto a greased baking tray and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked. Once cooked, turn the oven off and leave the treats to cool and dry out in the oven. Once cooled you can let your fluff ball enjoy his homemade speciality! Store them in an air tight container.
Easter hunt
Oscar’s favourite game is ‘find it’, so what better time to play than on Easter morning! You can hide the contents of your pups Easter box around the garden or just opt for hiding his treats like I do. Watch his excitement as he races around searching for his hidden treasures…. It is the most wonderful thing to watch. If you, like me, have bunnies to love, you can include them in the Easter hunt too. You can hide their homemade treats around their hutch and places they are allowed to run and play. This will provide excellent entertainment for them and for you 🙂 Don’t forget to get your camera out and snap away so you can always remember these wonderfully happy moments!
Have fun with your furry loves, of all kinds! Enjoy giving them gifts and baking them special treats, I know I will 🙂
Thank you for reading
by Frozen Pup Treats
categories: Recipes
Summer is here and we hope you are having as much fun as Oscar and I! Having pool parties, picnics in the garden and late evening walks. When temperatures are extreme, Oscar doesn’t enjoy being active. And that includes getting up to drink his refreshing water! So I came up with a solution that not only keeps him cool and hydrated but entertained too. He gets to enjoy delicious frozen treats and he doesn’t need to move from his comfy spot under the tree.
We all love popsicles and frozen yoghurt…. So why not make some that your furry love can enjoy too. Here are 10 really easy recipes that your pooch will love!
Strawberry ice:
Ingredients
A few strawberries chopped up small
Distilled water
Ice tray
Directions:
Place a few pieces of chopped up strawberry in each compartment of the ice tray. Fill with the distilled water and freeze. Oscar loves this one! Keep them frozen.
Rooibos tea ice pops:
Ingredients
2 Rooibos tea bags
2 cups of boiling water
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
squirt of honey
Ice tray or popsicle maker
Directions
Steep the rooibos tea bags in hot water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the cinnamon and honey. Stir and place into an ice tray or popsicle maker. Freeze for a few hours and let your pooch enjoy. Keep them frozen.
Peanut butter and banana frozen snack:
Ingredients
1 banana
Natural Greek yoghurt
Smooth peanut butter
Silicone cupcake moulds
Directions
Thinly slice the banana. Place a dollop of the natural Greek yoghurt into the silicone cupcake mould and place a slice of banana on top. Then place a dollop of peanut butter on top of the yoghurt and banana slice. Freeze for a few hours. Let your pup enjoy his snack! Keep them frozen.
Rooibos tea and mint ice:
Ingredients
2 Rooibos tea bags
2 cups boiling water
Fresh mint leaves chopped up
Ice tray
Directions
Steep the rooibos tea bags in boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove the bags. Place a few pieces of chopped up mint into each compartment of your ice tray then fill with the rooibos tea. Freeze for a few hours. Keep frozen.
Apple and parsley:
Ingredients
Unsweetened applesauce
Fresh parsley
Fresh mint
Ice tray
Directions
Sprinkle the freshly chopped up parsley and mint into each compartment of the ice tray, then place a dollop of the unsweetened applesauce on top. Freeze and let your furry love enjoy. Keep frozen.
Banana and coconut:
Ingredients
1 can coconut milk
1 banana
Silicone cupcake moulds
Directions
Slice the banana. Pour the coconut milk into the silicone cupcake moulds until they are half way. Place a slice of banana into each one, then fill them to the top. Freeze for a few hours. Your pups will love this one! Keep frozen.
Frozen watermelon
Ingredients
Seedless watermelon
1 cup fat free milk or coconut milk
Popsicle maker
Directions
If you can’t find seedless watermelon, make sure you remove all seeds from the fruit! Place the chopped up watermelon into a blender, add the milk and blend on a high speed until the ingredients are nicely blended. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds or an ice tray and freeze. Keep frozen.
Strawberry frozen yoghurt
Ingredients
Strawberry yoghurt
Natural Greek yoghurt
Ice tray
Directions
Place a dollop of strawberry yoghurt in each compartment of the ice tray, then place a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Freeze for a few hours and let your pup enjoy-this is one of Oscar’s most favourite frozen treats!
Peanut butter frozen yoghurt
Ingredients
Peanut butter
Natural greek yoghurt
Ice tray
Directions
Place a dollop of peanut butter in each compartment of the ice tray, then place a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Freeze for a few hours and let your furry love enjoy.
Giant frozen treat:
Ingredients
Cubed fruit (watermelon, apple, strawberries, blueberries etc)
Distilled water
Big bowl
Directions
Fill your bowl with distilled water and simply add all your fruit and freeze. Your pup will have fun licking and enjoying the fruit surprises that pop out every now and then!
We hope these frozen treat recipes keep your pup cool, hydrated and entertained this summer 🙂
ps- All these recipes are as yummy to humans as they are to our furry loves!
Thank you for reading.
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