If there is anyone on the naughty list this year it is my dog, Tide. In fact, Santa probably wrote his name on there in all caps, bolded, italicised, and underlined it, then highlighted it with a flourescent yellow marker. There is without a doubt this pup should be receiving nothing but coal this year but somehow I find myself making him these Christmas treats. While they were baking I started thinking of all the reasons I should not be. Actually, I came up with 38 good reasons:

my Uggs

Ipod headphones

my nursing diploma

my Costa del Sol sunglasses

several pairs of Old Navy flip-flops

a baby bird

antique wicker chest

the corner of my coffee table

the egg crate from inside his doggie bed

Jimmy’s John Deere hat

Water for Elephants, a novel

cedar shake siding off a corner of the house

his name emboidered collar

an extension cord

an entire Carrot Cake

Allie’s Mint Choc Chip Cupcakes

Ipod headphones (2nd offense)

motorized air pump used to inflate rafts/small boats

an outdoor patio chair

my hope chest

wooden spoon

Better Homes and Gardens, volumes April-July

an underground electric wire to lamppost

my Living Room carpet

my sister’s Living Room carpet

molding from my sister’s kitchen wall

a stack of my sister’s mail

a pair of my sister’s boots

my sister’s outdoor grill cover

gate in my sister’s backyard

lesson plan book for my sister’s 7th grade English class (a crime worthy of the electric chair, in her eyes)

a comforter

my truck’s cup holders

pack of gum, approx. 2

underwear, approx. 3

bananas from kitchen counter, approx. 5

dish towels, approx. 10

beer koozies, approx. 20

earplugs from Jimmy’s nightstand, approx. 50

the trash, countless times

Not to mention in the mere 9 months he has been alive he has also chewed up a full bottle of Fruit2O overtop of my driver’s seat, peed in my parent’s pool, brought what I think was a dead animal into the house and up onto my bed, and has destructed, destroyed, and partially digested every single toy he has ever owned. Oh yeah, and he eats goose poop.

Most of you will read this post and think what is she crazy baking cookies for a dog that acts like that! But, some of you (suckers like me) will turn to your own dog, look at that cute little face, your heart will melt, and you’ll understand just where I’m coming from. Merry Christmas to all the pampered pups out there!!

Recipe

1 apple, shredded

1 large carrot, shredded

2 T. molasses

1 egg

1 c. flour

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. water

Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Drop Tbsp-fulls onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes.