Yellowdog’s Christmas Guide (12 Days of Christmas 2010)

Yellowdog’s Christmas Guide (12 Days of Christmas 2010)

You may not realize it, but Yellowdog (my yellow lab) is quite the accomplished writer.

When we were first married, we couldn’t think of anything to write in a Christmas letter to our friends and family. After hours of writing and re-writing the letter, with little to say, we ended up scrapping our version entirely. Instead, as a joke, we started writing the letter from Yellowdog’s perspective.  After all, she’s part of the family, and her take on things is always more exciting than ours. We’ve been married for over 5 years now, and Yellowdog just finished writing her 6th Christmas letter!

So, today, I thought I’d let her take over and share a few of her favorite holiday tips, from the doggy perspective, of course!

Season’s Barkings!

This is a busy season for me… There is dog-nog to drink, cookies to snatch from the kitchen when my mom’s not looking, and, of course, gift bags to inspect.  A dog’s work is never done. On top of all of that, my voice is a bit hoarse from barking at the mailman… And the UPS man… And the FedEx man… Apparently this is also the season for deliveries!

Since I am the official taste tester and sous chef in the My Kitchen Addiction test kitchen, though, I thought I should take some time out of my busy schedule (i.e. afternoon nap by the fireplace) to share a few of my favorite holiday tips.  Your doggies will thank me!

For a dog, gift giving is no easy feat… Not only do I have to exchange gifts with my doggy friends, but I have to keep all of my favorite people happy, too.  This year, though, I’ve got it covered with some homemade gifts.  Everyone loves the time and thought that I put into my gifts.  I work hard sitting in the kitchen watching my mom bake all of my Christmas gifts!

For the doggies on my list, I can never go wrong with some homemade dog treats.  Just toss them in a paper lunch bag and fasten the top with some ribbon.  After all, I assure you that we dogs aren’t too concerned with gift wrapping.  We just like sticking our noses into a bag. Here are a few of my favorite recipes…

  • These Roasted Squash and Peanut Butter Cookies are some of my favorite cookies.  My best buddy Bowser (a big ol’ hound dog) has also tasted and approved these cookies!
  • You can’t go wrong with anything from Doggy Dessert Chef.  I’m looking forward to trying these Apple Cranberry Biscuits!
  • My mom is a big fan of King Arthur Flour… I know this because I inspect the boxes that she receives from them on a regular basis.  I was thrilled to discover that they cater to dogs, too. Check out these tasty looking Best of Breed Dog Biscuits… Yellow lab approved!

The people on my list like cookies, too… But not the same cookies that we dogs like.  Though all of my favorite dog biscuits are perfectly edible for my favorite people, it seems that sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are a safer bet. This year, I decided to add my personal touch to to my people cookies by decorating them to look like me. What more could anyone want? I am pretty cute, after all.

Since people are more concerned about the wrapping, I leave that up to my mom. Otherwise, I’d be tangled in a giant ball of curling ribbon, and I’d probably shred all of the wrapping paper if I got my paws on it.  She usually wraps my cookies in clear little bags and ties them with ribbon.  I just think that’s a lot of work standing between me and a tasty cookie. Though, maybe that’s why she does it… I have been known to snack on people cookies from time to time.

(Shhh… Don’t tell my mom! I’m pretty sure she doesn’t notice. I’m careful to lick up all of the crumbs from the floor.)

Well, now that I have shared all of my holiday gift giving tips, it’s time for me to get back to work. Santa Paws will be here soon, and I need to practice my best doggy behavior so I don’t get any cat litter in my bone-shaped doggy stocking this year (much worse than the coal my parents talk about!).

Merry Christmas and puppy kisses to all!

20 comments

  1. My dog loves getting homemade dog treats for Christmas…

  2. Jen, the yellow dog cookies are too freaking adorable. You’ve got some serious cookies skills my friend. Happy Holidays.

  3. Tracey says:

    Those dog cookies are so adorable Jen! You did an amazing job on them.

  4. Paula says:

    Hi Yellowdog! When my Mom (Vanilla Bean Baker) told my that you were guest posting here today I was so excited. I could hardly wait to finish my morning walk to be able to log on and read your post. BOW WOW WOW, you did not disappoint! I’m definitely paw-marking the recipes to have my Mom bake for me and my buddies sometime (maybe she will even bake me ones to look just like me too). Your Mom did an awesome job decorating yours and everyone will be so dog-gone excited to get them.
    I’m real happy that you are feeling so much better and hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

    Maximus

    P.S. You really should think about doing your own blog, bet you’d have a lot of loyal followers…maybe even some cats! LOL

  5. Mags says:

    I’ve loved Yellowdog’s name since I first read it months ago and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those Yellowdog cookies! Very cute and clever post Jen!

  6. Jen,

    Yellowdog’s cookies are adorable! What a great post. I look forward to reading hopefully more from Yellowdog in the upcoming new year. Happy Holidays to you all!

  7. Flavia says:

    Great post, Jen! What a sweet way to write your annual Christmas letter. I’m going to try the KA “Best of Breed” dog biscuits this year for my dog and my family member’s dogs as well. Thanks for providing such great links! And I love your “human” dog cookies too–you have some serious cookie decorating talent! Happiest of Holidays to you!

  8. Tracy says:

    Haha, what a cute post! The cookies are adorable. Give Yellowdog a pat on the head for me! :-)

  9. Kathia says:

    I love, love this post, the best ever.
    Happy Holidays!!

  10. megan says:

    I need to make my dogs some treats too!

  11. Maria says:

    I love Yellow Dog! The cookies are too cute! You are a great dog mom:)

  12. Merry Christmas Yellow Dog – you have brightened my day!!

  13. Jennifer says:

    What a sweet post. Your dog is very smart and adorable. Those yellow dog cookies are just as cute.

  14. Oh my god. this has to have been my favourite post ever. I grew up with a yellow lab too! She is beautiful!! Next year…can I be the lucky recipient of a yellowdog Christmas Card!?

  15. Teanna says:

    AH!!!! I LOVE THOSE! My fiance would flip if I ever made dog cookies that look like our dog! Haha and I love writing notes from my dog… my fiance even created her own email address – the password is peanutbutter. And instead of the signature saying “sent from my BlackBerry” it says “Sent from my BlueBerry.”

    I know. he’s nuts.

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