DIY Dog Treat Puppy Piñata

DIY Projects 19 Apr

It really doesn’t get much more fun than a DIY Puppy Piñata. And frankly, now that I’ve had one, I couldn’t imagine a dog birthday party without it!

Combining the fun of a treat ball, with the glitter of a disco ball, our DIY Puppy Piñata kept Soda entertained throughout the day.

Follow these easy step by step instructions to make your own in no time…

YOU’LL NEED:
Paper Mache Numbers or Letters – to spell out your dog’s name or age* (I got mine from Lincraft)
Non-toxic craft glue
Crepe or tissue paper (I used metallic gold tissue)
Scissors
Acto Knife
String/Twine
Small dog treats

* Good luck to you if your dog’s name is Sir Winston the Hound of of Essington

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Using your acto knife take each paper mache number/letter and cut 1-2 small holes in the base. This is the entry/exit point for the dog treats.
2. Using your acto knife, punch two small holes in the top of each letter and thread through your twine for hanging.
3. Grab your tissue paper. Leave it folded as it comes in a fresh package, and cut off a 3cm wide strip. On the strip snip the fringing about 1cm apart and halfway up the strip. Unfold, and you should have one full strand of fringed tissue. Repeat this step until you have enough fringing to cover your numbers/letters.
4. Take your fringing and start gluing it piece by piece to your number/letter starting from the bottom and working your way up. Glue the un-fringed part down then overlap the tissue paper so that the only portion that shows is the fringe. Repeat this step until your number/letter is fully covered. Leave to dry.
5. Once dry, take your completed piñatas and fill with dog treats, shaking them throughout the inside.
6. Hang your piñata and let your dog use their snout and paws to shake the treats free. Enjoy!

HANDY HINTS:
* Due to the smaller nature of the puppy piñata, you may need to cut smaller pieces of fringing to cover corners.
* If you can’t thread string through the top, just use a stapler to attached the hanging string to your completed piñata.
* Always supervise your dog with the puppy piñata. It is designed for your dog to use their snout and paws to shake the treats free as they would with a treat ball. Do not allow your dog to bite the piñata.
* Unlike regular piñatas, the puppy piñata is designed to stay intact and not break apart. Have fun!

Black and White Cookie Dog Treat Recipe

DIY Projects 18 Apr

As a long time fan of the Black and White cookie, I knew when I decided on a Black and White theme for Soda’s birthday there was one sweet treat I wanted to make for the occasion.

Enter the Black and White Cookie Dog Treat Recipe. Made of human grade ingredients, it’s the perfect special occasion snack for your furry friend. The best part? They’re a breeze to make. Jerry Seinfeld would be proud.

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 Cup Rice Flour
1 Free Range Egg
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
50g Natural Carob Drops
50g Plain Yogurt Drops

TO MAKE:

COOKIES
1. Preheat oven to 175C. Line a flat baking tray with baking paper.
2. Whisk egg and vegetable oil in a bowl.
3. Add the rice flour to the wet ingredients and mix well to form a dough.
4. Roll dough onto floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Using a large round cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place on lined baking tray. Repeat until dough is finished.
6. Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Place on baking rack to cool.

ICING
1. Melt the yogurt drops in a small heat safe bowl over boiling water.
2. Once melted use a spatula to spread over one half of each cookie. Allow to set.
3. Melt the carob drops in a small heat safe bowl over boiling water. Once melted use a spatula to spread over the second half of each cookie. Allow to set then serve.

HANDY HINTS!
* Makes 6 Large Cookies.
* Make sure the first side of icing has set before adding the second, to ensure the sides set evenly.

** The above recipe is for treats only and should not replace your dog’s regular meal plans. Always check with your vet about any major changes to your dogs diet.

Black + White Dog Birthday Party

DIY Projects 17 Apr

This year I decided to celebrate Soda’s 12th birthday with a little at home party just for her.

A black and white party just for my black and white pup. Yes. I am that kind of person that celebrates their dog’s birthday. Did you expect anything different?

Completely ignoring catering to guests of the two-legged variety (myself and my long suffering husband), I instead whipped up a batch of Doggie Black and White cookies.

As a long-time fan of this New York trademark cookie I’ve been dying to make a puppy version for my very own black and white sweet. Did Soda like them? Well considering she stole one in the middle of taking these photos, I’d say that answer was a rousing YES.

What do you get the dog that has everything? Why you make them a ‘Puppy Piñata’.
OF COURSE. Filled with treats that dropped from the sky, it was a gold fringed version of every dog’s treat ball dream.

The only thing that was missing was margaritas and then this party could have gotten all Lindsay Lohan on us. Actually – maybe it’s a good thing we stopped at the piñata.

Happy 12th Birthday Soda!

For full tutorials on how to make your own Puppy Piñata and Doggie Black and White Cookies stay tuned to Pretty Fluffy. I’ll be sharing all the details this week.

Do you celebrate your dog’s birthday?

Merry Christmas from Serena + Sarah

Gift Guides 25 Dec

Merry Christmas Pretty Fluffies! From the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and every one of you for joining me here over the past year. I’ve had so much fun crafting new posts for you every week to bring that little bit of extra sweetness into you and your dog’s life. And guess what? Our plans for 2013 are bigger and better than ever before. There is SO much to look forward to! Wishing you all a happy holiday season filled with hugs and woofs!

Serena + Soda xo

Happy Pawlidays! I want to give the biggest thank you to Serena and all of the Pretty Fluffy readers for the warm welcome this year. I feel so lucky to be included in such a great community. I have truly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the fun 2013 has in store for all of us. Coco Bean and I want to wish you, your pups, and your families the happiest of holidays. May your hearts be filled with joy and your treat jars filled with goodies!

Sarah + Coco Bean xx