How to Treat Your Dog
Friday is International Dog Day...treat your pupper to something special.
My three rescue dogs are my world. Roxie, Dora, and Luna are a motley crew — Roxie and Dora are two elderly Chihuahuas and Luna the Frenchie is a five-year-old rescue from a puppy mill that in no way resembles those petite Instagram Frenchies. This ragtag group of canines keeps me sane and gives me an endless bounty of unconditional love.
In return, there are treats. It may be the Jewish mother lurking inside of me — or the fact that I’m a food writer — but for me, food is love.
And, since this Friday, August 26, is International Dog Day, I figured I’m not the only one who plans on treating my fur kid to a little something, something.
Here are some favorite snacks and treats that will make any day International Dog Day.
Ben & Jerry's Dog Ice Cream
Everyone loves a good pint of Ben & Jerry’s — even dogs. That’s why the Vermont-based ice cream company has come out with ice cream made specifically for canines. Pontch’s Mix is a doggie ice cream made with peanut butter and pretzel swirls. Rosie’s Batch is a fall-friendly flavor made with pumpkin and mini cookies. The ice cream base is made with Fairtrade Certified vanilla and sugar, and all ingredients are non-GMO with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives — basically better than your dinner last night. Sadly, the doggie ice cream isn’t available at scoop shops, but it is available at Target and other major retailers.
Starbucks Puppaccino
This is the one that started it all — the original Puppaccino. Basically, an espresso cup filled with whipped cream, it’s a marketing dream. Puppaccinos are free and much appreciated (The Starbucks located in the same shopping plaza as my vet is a godsend).
Dairy Queen Pup Cup
Dairy Queen sees the Starbucks Puppaccino and raises it with a Pup Cup — a free small vanilla soft serve, served in a cup. This refreshing doggie delight is available at participating Dairy Queens, so be sure to ask first.
Shake Shack Pooch-ini
A favorite of bipeds, Shake Shack also has the Pooch-ini, a cup of vanilla custard festooned with dog cookies and peanut butter sauce. Or, get a Bag o’ Bones, a bad of custom-made dog cookies. (Note: unlike Dairy Queen and Starbucks, you’ll have to whip out your wallet to treat Fido to Shake Shack).
The Pet Winery
There’s a saying in my household that since the dogs are there, I’m never drinking alone — but why should my girls be relegated to water when I’m breaking out the bubbly? The Pet Winery feels like every dog should “wine” rather than “whine” so they’ve made a line of non-alcoholic beverages. These dog wines are actually bacon-infused beverages with salmon oil added to enrich your dog’s coat. Choose from FetchMe Grigio, FetchMe Noir, and (for special occasions) Dog Pawrignon. With football season coming up, you might want to stock up on some Bark Brew (in beef ale and chicken ale) so you can watch the game with your doggo.
Three Dog Bakery
No lie here — when I read Amazing Gracie, the origin story of Three Dog Bakery, I cried my eyes out. Gracie was a Great Dane puppy who was adopted by one of the owners. This deaf girl simply would not eat anything, so her owner, co-founder Dan Dye baked some cookies for the skinny, fragile puppy. When Gracie gulped them down, he knew he was onto something. Three Dog Bakery has expanded worldwide, with locations as far as Hong Kong. The bakery also ships anything from pumpkin cookies for fall to custom doggie birthday cakes.