Yesterday was National Dog Day, a fact I was not aware of until I saw the hashtag blow up on instagram. It got me thinking about my sweet pal, Koda.
Since the girls were born, she’s fallen to the bottom of the pecking order. That’s reality unfortunately, but it doesn’t mean we love her any less.
Seeing everyone’s pictures with their dogs made me feel a little soft about my furry friend and loyal pack member. Sure she may be a little rambunctious as times and not listen as well as she used to, but that’s our fault for slacking on our training. I get frustrated when she eats gross things in the yard or shakes her ears so loudly right next to the sleeping baby, but she’s been here since before David and I were even engaged. She’s watched our family grow and has taken it all in stride. She has the sweetest demeanor and is so gentle with the girls. When I get to thinking about it, I really really love that pup, though I don’t always get to show her like should.
So yesterday afternoon I went out of my way to show her a little extra love.
We covered 2.5 miles together, then I came home to make her a little something special.
Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs
– 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast
– 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
– 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Place chicken breast, olive oil and parsley (which helps freshen doggie breath!) in a ziplock bag. Shake it around to coat it well and let it marinate in the fridge for an hour or so,
Then place the bag in the freezer for 45 minutes to an hour. You don’t want it to freeze solidly, but it will be easier to slice if it firms up a little in the freezer first.
Slice chicken so it’s about 1/4 inch thick.
Place in dehydrator at 140-150 for about 4 hours depending on how chewy or tough you want it.
Then tell your dog how much you love her and make her day with these jerky strips!
You can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks… if they last that long.
Are you a dog lover?
If you have a dog, tell me his/her name! Is there a story behind it?
Koda got her name because I really loved the name Dakota. Being that I love to abbreviate names, I knew I’d never call her Dakota and would inevitably shorten it to Kota. When I said it out loud, I found a ‘d’ just sounded better than a ‘t’ and thus, KODA was created.
Not the world’s best story huh? HA! But we sure do love her!
Katie says
We have a yellow lab, Paisley who we adore. She’s the best! She is named after Brad Paisley, the country singer. My hubby and I met at a Kenny Chesney concert so we were bouncing “Chesney” around as a name for her when my hubby suggested Paisley since he is also one of our favorite artists. It stuck and it suits her so well!
Brittany Dixon says
Sounds like we have the same taste in music! I love Kenny and Brad almost as much as I love the name Paisley- so cute!
Ann says
My shih tzu’s name is Panda. she was named after Pablo Sandoval, a SF Giants baseball player who’s nickname is Panda. it also helps that she looks like a panda bear too!
Kris says
Our Italian greyhound is Spook and the name directly references my husband’s career. Unfortunately, it’s a fairly accurate name for my skittish (but super sweet) pooch.
Lizzie says
My yellow lab is named Macy! I was having trouble deciding on a name until I was reminded of a trip to Chicago where I was so focused on getting to the Giant Macy’s there! So my dog is named after a department store, haha. The name tends to morph into Mace-Face, Face-dog, etc. so it’s ended up doing well for nicknames!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I didn’t know it was national dog day either but I loved it! It was so sweet seeing everyone’s pups. Koda seems like such a sweetie girl. Not sure how I came up with Ryder’s name. I just randomly picked it after David brought him home. I thought it sounded good and fit him.
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Is there anything you do not do? You are superwoman! You make jerky treats for your dog. Wow!
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
Love this idea – I might just have to make them for our dog Dexter – we ‘adopted’ him from a friend…they named him (they are a pharmacist) after a long drug that shortens into dexter – and it was an anti anxiety drug…they though dog was perfect anti anxiety treatment! I AGREE
Cassie F. says
We have a Vizsla as well, and his name is Fynn. I have always loved the name Finn and would have loved to use it as a baby name, but our last name is Flynn, and Finn Flynn just seems like a goofy name…for a human! 🙂 So I convinced our husband that Finn would be a great dog name, and he agreed as long as he got to choose how we spell it, so from that is how Fynn Flynn got his name. The vets office always gets really confused we we tell them his name. But we sure do love our pooch!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my gosh I love the name Finn Flynn! Similarly, I love the name Mason, but with my last name being Dixon, it would never work for a human. I’m totally considering it for any future pets though 😉
Katy Mc says
I love this and want to try those doggie treats…..but what if I dont have a dehydrator at home? Is this my excuse to buy one?
Brittany Dixon says
Excuse to buy one- YES! I bought mine used for $30 and have loved it.
However, with no dehydrator you can put your oven on as low as it will go (175ish) and put the jerky on tinfoil on cookie sheets. Place them in the oven and keep the oven door cracked open. Check after two hours (and up to 4-5) until it’s as ‘done’ as you want it to be!
leslie says
We have a redbone coonhound named Luke. He looks an awful lot like a bigger version of Koda, just with a black nose. Luke got his name after “Cool hand Luke” the movie and because he was chill when my husband first got him. He is no longer quite as cool, and is super high energy. He is amazing with my 1 year old though, even if he’s a little over enthusiastic sometimes and knocks her over.
Beth says
I always feel bad for the pups now that we have 2 real babies. Our furbabies were our first!!
We got our lab, Cooper Dale a week after my Dad died, so his middle name is the same as my Dads. Not sure where Cooper came from.
Our boxer, Stella, got her name from our favorite beer 🙂
Dukebdc says
Our lab mix (mostly yellow lab with a dash of mystery mutt) is named Barney. Not after Barney Fife or the purple dinosaur, but after Barney Ross, a highly decorated WWII Marine. My husband is a Marine (not active duty anymore) and wanted the dog to honor one of the heroes of the Corps. And Barney is a good dog name. 🙂
Fiona says
Aww Love this post! We got our dog three years ago and he is a boxer/american bulldog mix. He looks fierce so we thought Hercules, or Thor would match his look but all of a sudden Hank just seemed to fit. We got him from a farm and ever since, when people meet this 80 lbs solid happy go lucky pup..they always say ‘Hank, that totally works! ‘ Love my pup and love National Pup Day!
Belinda says
Ah! I know it’s late but just had to comment! Had no idea it was National Dog Day. It’s amazing coz my husband and I just picked up our new puppy a couple of days prior. I’ve never had a pet and now I have my little pug, Norman. We’ve been talking about getting him for about 8 years so it’s a long time coming. Lots of pee and poop to clean up, and crying during the night, but it’s worth it for that little face 🙂
Jen Clark says
We have two dogs. Max our golden retriever and Lucy our dachshund. There is no special story behind Max’s name, we just liked the way it sounded. Lucy’s name though does have a special story. When we got her my husband had a horrible name picked out for her. While we were sitting with her watching I Love Lucy! she did something silly and we decided to go with Lucy. The name fits her perfectly! Her personality, at times, reminds me on Lucy!!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
We just got a Vizsla and I just read your update about poor Koda 🙁 I’m so sorry to hear that for your family. I will make these treats sometime soon and think of you guys!
Alex paul says
Hello there….First and foremost thing I want to write is thank you so much for sharing such a wonderfull anf informative post us. I do belive that all the tips and tricks that you have mention is quite good to follow and it will bring a postive result. Keep posting and keep gr9.
Olivia Jenkins says
My yellow lab is named Ni. My dog is the name your one. Perhaps they are a couple. I am very glad. I like your blog. Hope you will share more.