There is no doubt that Daisy’s dog, Thunder, is based on my own, Prophet.  I don’t know how I can add a doggie-welcome birthday party to any of my Daisy stories, but the concept is just too delightful not to record.

The invitation came by email.  My neighbor’s granddaughter was in town for a week, and a good deal of that time was going to be taken up with three special birthdays–my neighbor’s daughter and each of her two granddaughters had celebrations.  I would love to tell you the little girls’ names, they are so precious, but I try not to use even first names of people under 18.  I’m all about safety, even on the internet.

Anything for a doggie treat. Party on!

“Tomorrow is (my granddaughter’s) birthday and I was wondering if you could bring Prophet over for a short visit,” said the note. “We just thought it would be fun for (her) if Prophet was a surprise guest at her birthday party.  She just loves him and talks about him constantly!”

Hello toy store!  I love the excuse to go into a toy shop, see the latest goodies and pick up something “I always wanted” as a kid.  I picked up a little something for each of the children and headed over.  I tried to have Proph lug the packages, but couldn’t find his doggie hiking pack and so we walked over with the gifts in a terrific fold up shopping bag I have.  Just before ringing the doorbell, I stuck the bag of gifts around Proph’s neck.

Between the time the doorbell rang and they answered–all of about 10 seconds–Proph managed to get a paw stuck in the bag with the goodies.  Our first five minutes were spent in de-tangling Prophet from the toys. Luckily, nothing was damaged and everyone remained calm.

Then Proph realized he was in heaven.  Three little people were all over him and he knew he was the star of the event.  He laid down and let the little fingers run all over his body. Then, for all the hard work of laying down and not licking too much he got treats.  Lots of doggie treats. What dog could ask for more?

Soon we went outside.  Prophet played hide-n-seek, one of his favorite games, then lick whichever child wasn’t watching and eat one of the girls’ soccer balls–the pretty one in pink and black.  We scooped up the ball and put it into an old kennel that was at least two sizes too small for Prophet to fit in, and let the play proceed.

Prophet helped clean up in the yard of anything interesting to sniff.  He found an old steak bone, no doubt a treasure acquired by the fox who has been known to nest in my neighbor’s yard, and carried the thing around for all to see.  We took that away and he got more treats.

Later, Proph performed his tricks for the children–sit, bang! fall down, say grace, and an attempt at roll-over.  The last one was hard, as Proph is about twenty-five pounds heavier than an ideal 85.  Still, he got over once, and this was a party, so no watching calories for him on that day.  More treats.

At last, there were photos.  Even the littlest guy, a toddler who wasn’t quite sure about a beast who could look him in the eye laying down and has teeth as large as the pictures of the big bad wolf patted away and smiled for the camera.  And of course, you guessed it, Proph had to have payment for sitting still–surprise–more treats!

We went home, and Prophet fell right asleep. Parties are hard work, I guess, for good doggies like Prophet.

One time I had to make grain-free treats for my dog.  We were testing him for allergies, so the vet encouraged me to make my own version with oat flour.  I am not known as a great cook (that is a post all in itself), but my dog, picky eater though he may be–not!–loved this recipe I adapted from The Doggy Bone Cookbook:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup water
• 3 cups oat flour
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 3 tablespoons molasses

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl mix your wet ingredients, then slowly add the dry.  Pretty standard cookie steps. When you have an oatmeal cookie look going on in the bowl, scoop out melon-ball sized treats and stick ’em on a cookie sheet.  Pop them into the oven for about 35 minutes.  They taste rather bland for people, but my dog loved ’em, and the cooking makes the house smell nice and homey.

Have fun and happy party times with your own doggie.