We here at Woofles and Meowz are famous for our dog biscuits and I often get asked for the recipe or if I have a recipe book strictly for the treats.
We make over thirty different kinds of treats.....everything from Peanutbutter/Parsley dentabones with finely ground lava rock for fantastic teeth maintenance to our signature "Woofles waffles" with granola,parsley,cranberries, yogurt and carob topping.
One of our most popular yet simple to make biscuits is our Peanutbutter and Banana biscuits.
Here is the recipe for that one:
**we use organic ingredients but you can use what you have**
COMBINE IN A MIXER---
2 cups organic whole wheat flour
2 cups organic spelt flour
2 cups organic white flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
2 med to large bananas
2.5 cups peanutbutter
1/3 cup flax seed
MIX UP WET INGREDIENTS OF:
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
approximately 2 cups *or so* of water
MIX WET INGREDIENTS INTO THE DRY IN THE MIXER USING A DOUGH HOOK ADDING SMALL AMOUNTS OF WATER AS YOU GO TO MAKE A NICE PLIABLE MIXTURE.
WHEN COMBINED, ROLL OUT MIXTURE AND USE YOUR FAVOURITE COOKIE CUTTER TO MAKE SHAPES.
PLACE ON COOKIE SHEET AND BAKE IN OVEN AT 275DEGREES FOR 75 MINUTES. THIS LOWER TEMPERATURE WILL COOK THE BISCUITS AND REMOVE ALL WATER FROM THEM SO THEY CRISP UP AND LAST LONGER.
KEEP IN A COOL DRY PLACE...THEY SHOULD LAST 2-3 WEEKS DEPENDING ON STORAGE CONDITIONS(THE FRIDGE IS NOT THE BEST PLACE).
There you go..simple and healthy treats for your dog...and if you are feeling too lazy you can always visit us!!
cheers!!!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Honeysuckle, the new catnip!
As a cat toy and treat store we sell ALOT of yummy things for your feline friends and the new hit has been for a while...HONEYSUCKLE!!!
Most cats will respond to catnip though not all will do so in the same way and honeysuckle has one common trait that makes for an interesting response: coveting the toy.
Many people have told of how honeysuckle prompts a protective response with drooling and carrying of certain toys around the house like Linus's blanket from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
My friend's cat "Purzz" does just that...a small pillow filled with the wood chips of the honeysuckle plant gets carried around and slept on everywhere...not so much drooling (yay)
Wikepedia defines it as:
Honeysuckle
Cultivation and uses
Wood cuttings from the species Lonicera tartarica, native to Eurasia, are sold as cat toys. The wood contains nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient found in catnip. Many breeds of cats react to the scent of the wood and will paw, lick or rub against it.
Honeysuckles grow best in partial sun to partial shade.
Lonicera japonica and Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle) are considered invasive weeds in the United States and in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two-week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or thorough grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.
Honeysuckle is also edible; removing the blossom, one may suck at the sweet nectar in the center.
Cordage made from honeysuckle was used in the construction of Seahenge.
Honeysuckle flowers can be used to flavor wine, syrup, sorbet, and other sweet dishes.
Another name for honeysuckle is woodbine; and eglantine is used in Milton's L'Allegro.
...........there ya go...we learned something new...well at least some of us did. Give it a try and see how it goes..and let us know your experiences!
Most cats will respond to catnip though not all will do so in the same way and honeysuckle has one common trait that makes for an interesting response: coveting the toy.
Many people have told of how honeysuckle prompts a protective response with drooling and carrying of certain toys around the house like Linus's blanket from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
My friend's cat "Purzz" does just that...a small pillow filled with the wood chips of the honeysuckle plant gets carried around and slept on everywhere...not so much drooling (yay)
Wikepedia defines it as:
Honeysuckle
Cultivation and uses
Wood cuttings from the species Lonicera tartarica, native to Eurasia, are sold as cat toys. The wood contains nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient found in catnip. Many breeds of cats react to the scent of the wood and will paw, lick or rub against it.
Honeysuckles grow best in partial sun to partial shade.
Lonicera japonica and Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle) are considered invasive weeds in the United States and in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two-week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or thorough grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.
Honeysuckle is also edible; removing the blossom, one may suck at the sweet nectar in the center.
Cordage made from honeysuckle was used in the construction of Seahenge.
Honeysuckle flowers can be used to flavor wine, syrup, sorbet, and other sweet dishes.
Another name for honeysuckle is woodbine; and eglantine is used in Milton's L'Allegro.
...........there ya go...we learned something new...well at least some of us did. Give it a try and see how it goes..and let us know your experiences!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Canada Day at Woofles and Meowz
Apparently Canada day is way bigger than most people know...at least it is here on Granville Island!
There will be a False Creek ferries ballet for free...Glass blowing demonstrations,free tattoos of the temporary kind from a few places including Woofles and Meowz, KVOS TV will be here as well,face painting,paper making demos and for what will probably go pretty fast a chance to dip into the chocolate fountain at Rogers chocolates...and way more. Who knew?!?!?
Have a great one and come'on by for a visit! All dogs and cats are welcome too!!!
There will be a False Creek ferries ballet for free...Glass blowing demonstrations,free tattoos of the temporary kind from a few places including Woofles and Meowz, KVOS TV will be here as well,face painting,paper making demos and for what will probably go pretty fast a chance to dip into the chocolate fountain at Rogers chocolates...and way more. Who knew?!?!?
Have a great one and come'on by for a visit! All dogs and cats are welcome too!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Woofles and Meowz: Love in any language
A few days ago I had the most interesting and rewarding sales experience. A lovely lady, her husband and what seemed like their adult daughter came into the store looking for some interesting or unusual dog equipment.
Now they spoke not one word of English and I not one word of the language they utilyze every day. They were from China and here on a vacation.
The conversation lasted about 12 minutes and in that time I learned through expressive body language,facial expressions and hand gestures that they were indeed visiting...they had a small to medium fluffy dog in need of a harness because he would walk well on the lead already but they needed to pick him up quickly in an emergency as traffic where they live is increasingly busy. It was a girl dog so they liked pink and she was a real chewer and often destroyed items close to her out of boredom. They were also looking for something that was unique and Canadian.
Bingo! Within the 12 minutes they were set up with exactly what they needed themselves and for their gift needs.
I wonder why it is that the communication was so easy in this case when sometimes getting a point across in so many other situations can be so arduous...the only thing I can think of is that a pet was the common denominator and that precipitated a friendly exchange. We all love our pets...right?
Now they spoke not one word of English and I not one word of the language they utilyze every day. They were from China and here on a vacation.
The conversation lasted about 12 minutes and in that time I learned through expressive body language,facial expressions and hand gestures that they were indeed visiting...they had a small to medium fluffy dog in need of a harness because he would walk well on the lead already but they needed to pick him up quickly in an emergency as traffic where they live is increasingly busy. It was a girl dog so they liked pink and she was a real chewer and often destroyed items close to her out of boredom. They were also looking for something that was unique and Canadian.
Bingo! Within the 12 minutes they were set up with exactly what they needed themselves and for their gift needs.
I wonder why it is that the communication was so easy in this case when sometimes getting a point across in so many other situations can be so arduous...the only thing I can think of is that a pet was the common denominator and that precipitated a friendly exchange. We all love our pets...right?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Vancouver dogs and cats.
Here at Woofles and Meowz on Granville Island we get the opportunity to meet literally thousands of people who have pets of the dog/cat variety. Its always funny and cute when someone whips out their phone where the wallpaper is of their pet. People are often ready to tell a quick anecdote of their pet followed by a quick peek at their digital camera that has more than a few pics of Fido at home where they are hanging out.
People from other parts of the world are quick to remark that "there are alot of dog friendly people here in your city" or simply "there are alot of dogs here in Vancouver aren't there".
We are quite lucky here to have the dog parks and available facilities that make for a pretty sweet deal with regards to having a dog here and I often respond with :yeah its great and did you nitice that there is NO dog poop everywhere?!" Vancouverites really do a great job of picking up da poo!
Now if we could just get rid of all the damn PANHANDLERS!!!!!
People from other parts of the world are quick to remark that "there are alot of dog friendly people here in your city" or simply "there are alot of dogs here in Vancouver aren't there".
We are quite lucky here to have the dog parks and available facilities that make for a pretty sweet deal with regards to having a dog here and I often respond with :yeah its great and did you nitice that there is NO dog poop everywhere?!" Vancouverites really do a great job of picking up da poo!
Now if we could just get rid of all the damn PANHANDLERS!!!!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Pet Peeves at Woofles and Meowz
So I was chatting with a lady in the store a few weeks ago who I saw drive by not 5 minutes earlier with her dog perched on her lap. She came into the store and purchased some treats and a shiny new dog tag that said "princess". She obviously thought much of her dog with its gorgeous t-shirt and perfect grooming.
Except.....and here is the obvious "BUT" in the next sentence. Where was the safety equipment......where was the well being of the dog.....where did the needs of the "Mommy" end and the real needs of the dog start?!?!??
I casually mentioned our best selling "3 in 1" vest harness that we carry that is perfect for taking the pooch in the car. How it is really easy to use and how it saves lives of both doggy and other passengers.
"Oh she won't let me put that on her" was the response.
I waited......said nothing and just looked at the woman. I balanced the probabilities of whether she was just being lazy, stupid or was so entranced by the idea that she be loved by her dog at all costs that the welfare of said dog be damned that I was unusually silent.
Then.........I pulled out the picture of a woman in the operating room with bones of her dog being pulled from her chest as the airbag had pushed her "baby" into her fake boobs popping the inserts and puncturing one lung. The dog died.
Then I gave her a pic of a dog flying out of a half open window as a car made a quick left. The dog died.
Then I showed her the crash results of what a 10 pound projectile will do to the occupants in the event of a crash even at slow speeds. The driver usually suffers neck and head injuries as does the passenger. The pet will usually catch a leg in the steering wheel breaking it or catch itself on the shift lever often resulting in massive internal injuries...and....the dog usually dies.
"Sooooo.how about you lemme try one on your dog" I said. I think she was so grossed out by the pics that she just handed me her ball of fluff with legs.
"There!...easy peezy" I smiled as we watched the cute pink harness run around on the pooch in the store...."no problemo.......will that be cash or charge?"
"Do you take Visa?" she murmered.
"For you I do" I smiled.
I ALMOST felt quilty for what was an obvious and manipulitive manoever but nahhhhh!
She had to learn somehow.
.............now HERE'S the kicker!!!!!! two weeks after the conversation in walks Miss Thing with a broken nose and blacker eyes than Liza on a bender.
"IT WORKS!!! IT WORKS!!!!! THE HARNESS WORKS!" was the scream as she stumbled into the caboose..."Gabby (Gabrielle her dog) was saved!!"
"WOW..thats wonderful...and you just thought I was being an asshole didn't you" I laughed.
..."wellll maybe a little..but THATS OK!!!
"How's the car?" as I remembered it was a gorgeous 3 series beemer.
"Totalled!"
"What happened, girl?...spill!!"
"I slid off the road....they say it was gravel on the offramp" she said in a slowing tempo.
"But you only hurt one thumb from the airbag....Lucky you!!" I gave her.
"Oh I was on the phone".....and as soon as she said it, and looked at me..looking back at her....we both knew........she was indeed.........an idiot that really needed a safety harness for her dog.
A sweet idiot..........with a living dog...but an idiot nevertheless.
I swear if the dog could have given me a "high five" it would have.
True story!
Except.....and here is the obvious "BUT" in the next sentence. Where was the safety equipment......where was the well being of the dog.....where did the needs of the "Mommy" end and the real needs of the dog start?!?!??
I casually mentioned our best selling "3 in 1" vest harness that we carry that is perfect for taking the pooch in the car. How it is really easy to use and how it saves lives of both doggy and other passengers.
"Oh she won't let me put that on her" was the response.
I waited......said nothing and just looked at the woman. I balanced the probabilities of whether she was just being lazy, stupid or was so entranced by the idea that she be loved by her dog at all costs that the welfare of said dog be damned that I was unusually silent.
Then.........I pulled out the picture of a woman in the operating room with bones of her dog being pulled from her chest as the airbag had pushed her "baby" into her fake boobs popping the inserts and puncturing one lung. The dog died.
Then I gave her a pic of a dog flying out of a half open window as a car made a quick left. The dog died.
Then I showed her the crash results of what a 10 pound projectile will do to the occupants in the event of a crash even at slow speeds. The driver usually suffers neck and head injuries as does the passenger. The pet will usually catch a leg in the steering wheel breaking it or catch itself on the shift lever often resulting in massive internal injuries...and....the dog usually dies.
"Sooooo.how about you lemme try one on your dog" I said. I think she was so grossed out by the pics that she just handed me her ball of fluff with legs.
"There!...easy peezy" I smiled as we watched the cute pink harness run around on the pooch in the store...."no problemo.......will that be cash or charge?"
"Do you take Visa?" she murmered.
"For you I do" I smiled.
I ALMOST felt quilty for what was an obvious and manipulitive manoever but nahhhhh!
She had to learn somehow.
.............now HERE'S the kicker!!!!!! two weeks after the conversation in walks Miss Thing with a broken nose and blacker eyes than Liza on a bender.
"IT WORKS!!! IT WORKS!!!!! THE HARNESS WORKS!" was the scream as she stumbled into the caboose..."Gabby (Gabrielle her dog) was saved!!"
"WOW..thats wonderful...and you just thought I was being an asshole didn't you" I laughed.
..."wellll maybe a little..but THATS OK!!!
"How's the car?" as I remembered it was a gorgeous 3 series beemer.
"Totalled!"
"What happened, girl?...spill!!"
"I slid off the road....they say it was gravel on the offramp" she said in a slowing tempo.
"But you only hurt one thumb from the airbag....Lucky you!!" I gave her.
"Oh I was on the phone".....and as soon as she said it, and looked at me..looking back at her....we both knew........she was indeed.........an idiot that really needed a safety harness for her dog.
A sweet idiot..........with a living dog...but an idiot nevertheless.
I swear if the dog could have given me a "high five" it would have.
True story!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Woofles and Meowz or Woofles and Meows either way its ALL good!
As the webbing between my fingers and toes gets more dramatic with each passing rainy day I wonder when we are gonna see some sunshine here on Granville Island. The good thing is that people are purchasing alot of raincoats for their dogs as well as a variety of other equipment items for their pets.
Here in Vancouver we usually cling to the bragging rights to the best weather during the month of June however they are calling in "Juneuary" this year as it is freaking cold!!
A good thing to remind people is to keep the cold weather and wet protective clothing close at hand for those early morning walks. We sometimes forget that our pooches are closer to the ground and on a day that is wet and 8-12 degrees the heat loss is substantial especially if Fido is torqeing around the dog park for any length of time.
Speaking of the dog parks I have found a great item that rivals the "chuckit" brand of ball launchers in one that flings a ring..reaaaallllllyyy far. This is good for me as I can throw like a nine year old girl so this way there is at least some distance for the dog to run.
On the topic of chase toys our tip of the day is for those who like to toss the frizbee for their four legged pals: use an item that is not hard edged for midflight catches as this can put out a tooth and you'll not notice untill several hours after the adrenaline stops flowing through Spot. The other important tip is to make the toy easier to pick up. This is done by using specialty discs that use a soft rubber edge (good for the precious tip)or a flying item that is concave of has lifted edges like the "Flying Squirrel" brand that will allow the dog to pick up the disc once it is on the ground and not scrape his lower lip off on the cement of dirt. Nobody likes to have dirt on their faces...not even Woofles!
Here in Vancouver we usually cling to the bragging rights to the best weather during the month of June however they are calling in "Juneuary" this year as it is freaking cold!!
A good thing to remind people is to keep the cold weather and wet protective clothing close at hand for those early morning walks. We sometimes forget that our pooches are closer to the ground and on a day that is wet and 8-12 degrees the heat loss is substantial especially if Fido is torqeing around the dog park for any length of time.
Speaking of the dog parks I have found a great item that rivals the "chuckit" brand of ball launchers in one that flings a ring..reaaaallllllyyy far. This is good for me as I can throw like a nine year old girl so this way there is at least some distance for the dog to run.
On the topic of chase toys our tip of the day is for those who like to toss the frizbee for their four legged pals: use an item that is not hard edged for midflight catches as this can put out a tooth and you'll not notice untill several hours after the adrenaline stops flowing through Spot. The other important tip is to make the toy easier to pick up. This is done by using specialty discs that use a soft rubber edge (good for the precious tip)or a flying item that is concave of has lifted edges like the "Flying Squirrel" brand that will allow the dog to pick up the disc once it is on the ground and not scrape his lower lip off on the cement of dirt. Nobody likes to have dirt on their faces...not even Woofles!
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