The Dog Days of Summer Homemade Biscuits
Easy blueberry-carrot treats for the original food lovers who lavish us with unconditional love
This week is all about celebrating the dogs (and a cat) that have shaped our lives.
The term ‘Dog Days of Summer’ comes from the Romans, who noticed that this period coincided with the rising of Sirius in July and August. They associated it with heat, storms, and bad luck. Even though the weather is challenging, I prefer to focus on how this time reminds us of our dogs’ positive influence.
Bottom left to right - Negra the Brave, Storm the Sunny, Jena the Happy & Jackie, Negra, Licorice the Shirt Pocket, Jena. Center: Mushy the Tolerant.
Pets enrich our lives and deserve to be remembered. To highlight the impact they’ve had on our family, I’m sharing memories of some of our dogs and one cat. These stories show why recording pets’ histories matters. Perhaps each deserves a post of their own!
Chocolate, a cocker spaniel, was our first dog when we were kids (not pictured). Years later, Mushy—Grandma Blair’s sweet, fluffy cat—would visit us from time to time. Moving forward in time, Jena, an Australian Shepherd, spent July 4th in the backyard with her sire and got knocked up, producing Licorice and a few others that found loving homes. Licorice was very small when she was born, so my parents carried her around in their shirt pockets and hand-fed her.
When my sister Julie was studying Law in Vermont, she found Holden, a retriever who loved to cuddle and play in the water. When I lived in Budapest, my friend’s family’s pet rabbits produced babies. I adopted the smallest one, Negra, who crawled onto my lap. She loved to run away, through creeks, up and down the tallest mountains; she loved her freedom. We’re a lot alike. My sister Jackie adopted Stormy, a retriever, who groaned when her mama gave her a banana.
After Holden passed, my sister rescued Roxy, a shepherd mix, sweet as can be, who loves to stand on two back paws to reach your face to kiss it. Not long after, my mom rescued Lucky when he lost his human parents and was found running the streets of the Coachella Valley. He quickly became part of the family and was known for being a welcoming sofa for the grandkids whenever they needed a place to plop down. Continuing the tradition, Julie later rescued Max, a retriever, who is a comedy show of joy and jubilance, especially when in the water.
When Storm passed, my sister adopted Maui, a retriever with poise and stunning good looks, who also loves to lick your feet. A year later, sweet Ben joined Maui’s family after his elderly human parents passed away.
Most recently, about a year and a half ago, I rescued Archie, a 120-pound shepherd mix. He’s a gentle giant but can also be imposing and protective. His fear of abandonment stems from being returned to a shelter by the family he lived with for five years. Once he gets to know and trust you, he’ll settle right at your feet and take a nap.
Since pets are truly part of our family, I believe Ancestry should allow us to add pets to our ancestral trees. Their stories, photos, and favorite treats deserve to be preserved alongside our own family history for future generations.
Cheers to the dogs and cats whose joy and love transform our families. Thank you for bringing laughter, comfort, and boundless affection into our lives.
The Dog Days of Summer Homemade Biscuits
A simple recipe for true food lovers who enjoy anything you serve them :)
Yield: 20
Cooking Time: 40 to 45 minutes; 10 minutes for prep, 30 to 35 minutes to cook.
Kitchen Tools
Ingredients
20 blueberries
1/2 carrot
2 cups flour
1 large egg
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 ºF.
Slice the blueberries in half. Cut the carrots into small, thin slices.
Put flour in a medium bowl.
Combine the egg with your applesauce, then add it to the flour.
Add water and mix until the dough forms.
Sprinkle flour onto a cold surface. Roll the dough, then cut the biscuits. While the cookie is still in its biscuit cutter, push a blueberry and a carrot piece into the top of each biscuit.
Place the cookies onto a sheet pan, then slide them into the oven. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until the biscuits are bone dry. Cool on a rack.
Biscuits will last for 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Notes:
You can use all flour or a combination of flour and oats for your dry ingredients.
Make your own applesauce. Slice, core, and remove the seeds of 3 apples. I used Pink Lady’s because that’s what I had in the fridge. Add to a Vitamix or food processor with 1 tsp. of water. Mix until smooth or to the consistency you like. Store surplus in the fridge or have it for a snack.
You can use water or broth as your liquid ingredient.
You can try pumpkin puree instead of applesauce or replace the applesauce with 2 tbsps. of peanut butter (no xylitol) and 2 tbsps. of vegetable oil.
Thank you for showing these beautiful and wonderful dogs who have been in the family for many years. They have supported the kids and adults though good time and bad and are very much apart of the family
They never asked for a lot but always there when needed Thank you for sharing these wonderful animals