Archives: Doggie Doors

Happy Chinese New Year, (or Lunar New Year). We are very excited to celebrate the Year of the Dog. It has been 12 years since the last Year of the Dog so this is the first for Red and second for Wallis.

We researched a lot of interesting facts about the Year of the Dog. For example, in the Chinese zodiac, the dog is symbolic of  loyalty, patience, and reliability (but we know that!). Have a look here for some more doggie facts.

Why not celebrate this special year and make fortune cookies for your pooch, doggie friends and their owners!

We have included a fortune cookie recipe and instructions (see below). The best part of making your own fortune cookies is making up doggie fortune messages. Here are a few ideas we came up with:

• A thousand walks
• Dreams of big juicy bones
• Every dog has it’s year! Happy 2018 Year of the Dog.
• Puppy new year
• Woof! Woof!
• Let sleeping dogs lie
• Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole
• Hours of sniffing and licking
• Shady area make good place to sit

We also loved giving the fortune cookies in cute packages using paper treat bags and Chinese red envelopes. We hope you have fun making and giving these Chinese New Year treats.

We wish you good luck, prosperity and much happiness.

x0x0 Wallis and Red

 

 

 

These fortune cookies can be eaten by dogs but remember they are TREATS – not a meal or permanent diet addition for dogs. Use in moderation and like all pet treats, gradually expose pets to new food items. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your veterinarian.

We based our fortune cookies on a simple recipe adapted from Paula Deen, but we reduced the sugar and we used olive oil.

Ingredients

2 egg whites
1/2 cup sifted all purpose flour (sifted)
1/4 cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
pinch of salt
3 teaspoons water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200C.

2. Place egg whites in a bowl and beat with electric mixer until frothy (but not stiff).

3. Add sifted flour, sugar and vanilla and mix.

4. Stir in 3 teaspoons of water to make a thin batter

5. Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter onto a Silpat* (or a tray lined with baking paper) and spread with the back of the spoon into a very thin 3-4 inch circle. Make 2 cookies per tray. It is important you only make 2 cookies per tray because you will need to work quickly with them once they are removed from the oven.

6. Bake cookies for 4-6 minutes, keeping an eye on them.

7. Once cookies are baked, you will need to fold and shape the cookie while they are hot and before they harden. Firstly, flip the cookie over then placed the paper message inside. Then fold the cookie to create a half circle. To form the fortune cookie shape, gently pull the edges downwards over the rim of a cup or small bowl.*
*You may want to use thin gloves when handling the cookies as they are darn hot!

8. Place the finished cookie in the holes of a muffin tray. This will help to keep their shape while the cookie cool down.

Enjoy!

 

 

PS: These cookies were actually a little more tricky than we anticipated. You definitely need patience! Also this video will help when you can see how the cookies are made.

 

 

 

We’re off to our favourite Groomer Murphy’s Paw – Masters of Styling in Port Melbourne. My brother Red and I decided we should look our very best the first time you meet us for The Doggie Door.

Alona is always there to introduce us to all our doggie play mates. It’s such a blast! The salon has great big windows where you can sit and watch the world go by. We see heaps of things we never see out of Mum’s bedroom window at home. Our Mum thought she would embarrass us by taking before and after shots – even in the bath! We just think it’s funny and hope you do too.

Hi it’s Wallis here, that’s me enjoying my makeover! First impressions are everything. I went for a neat body trim – big fluffy ears and pom pom legs (it’s called a Ballerina cut-very fancy). Sometimes kids in the park ask if I’m wearing Ugg boots. No idea what they’re talking about! By the way, at 16 and a half I have hardly any grey hair. When I get my hair cut you would think I was a teenager. I’ve heard people whisper in the park that they think Mum dyes my hair! Just jealous I guess.

xxx Love Wallis

Now it’s my turn. Like my sister Wallis I love going to the Groomer. Not because I worry about how I look, just because I love seeing my friends there and I love the bath. Sorry to say this darling sister but you have to try harder than me. I’m a stand out natural redhead that comes with brown nails and nose, perfect pink belly and the best red hair in town. However, I went for lean cut legs and body (I’m an athlete you know) big Pom Pom head and ears to show off my colour and big fluffy tail. The tail is great for flicking Dads glass off the coffee table. I’m a bit naughty sometimes.

xxx Love always Ready Red.

We are Wallis and Red Donovan and very pleased to welcome you to The Doggie Door. We’re going to have a lot of fun here. First we thought you’d like to know a little bit about us.

Red Donovan

Hello! I am seven years old, 29kg and an athlete. I was re-homed at 2 years old. I used to live in the bush with a couple of kelpies. Then I won Dog Lotto! My new Mum and Dad are the Donovans. WOW!! They call me Red because I am a true red head. My nick name is ‘Ready Red’ because I am always on the go.

Suppose I need to tell you I am a bit unusual. Slightly allergic to everything! I require a special diet, can’t go out when it’s hot. I need a Telefast (antihistamine) in the morning for Summer, I don’t eat meat, love bananas and tofu. Oh gosh, the list goes on and on! Just as well my mum and dad know about food. I don’t think I’m difficult, just ‘super special’.

TOP: Red’s favourite place to lounge  BELOW LEFT: Red shaking hands with Gail before receiving a treat  BELOW RIGHT: Cheeky Red on the couch taking Darryl by surprise!

 

Wallis Donovan

Hi, my name is Wallis Donovan, also know as Miss Wallis, Doodle Bug or Wally Gong. Yes I am a girl! Named after Wallis Simpson who stole the king’s heart. I am a black standard poodle and about to have my 17th birthday. I feel great and I’m a healthy 20kg.

Can you imagine how well we get looked after at home? I love sitting on the couch, I love parmesan cheese and chicken. Oops I forgot – I love my Mum and Dad Donovan and I adore my brother Red (although his manners can be questionable!)

ABOVE: Wallis and his favourite places to lounge at home