Happy Birthday to... my dogs

Yes, as if I'm not crazy enough, I do celebrate my dogs' birthdays. Today, "the twins" are 3 years old. (I joked earlier that since they are 21 in dog years that they should get an alcoholic drink; though, I think the fact that I am celebrating dog birthdays sounds like I have had an alcoholic drink too many, but... I digress.)

Tonight S and I are going to have a fun-filled "Scooby Doo" themed party with the pups at my parent's house. As I purchased the plates and napkins, I could tell that he was pondering at what age he would need to commit me. He did go with me to the grocery, the drug store, Whole Foods (as the grocery didn't have carob chips for their canine cake), and--ultimately--the pet store for treats, chewies, and squeakies which will be wrapped for the dogs to shred open. S did put his foot down when I couldn't find party hats. He said to have my mom grab those when she was out somewhere. I half-pleaded with him to go to another store and he adamantly refused. This made me laugh, on the inside, of course.

He said I was insane, which I couldn't argue, but I made the point that it is done not so much for the dogs as the memories we will have from it. Seeing him and my dad in party hats for the dog's birthday... talk about a memory! If I can actually get a picture of the dogs looking at the camera tonight, I will post it. Though, trying to get them both to look at the camera at the same time is like trying to nail jello to tree. We'll see.

For those other Dog Moms, Dads, and Grandparents, I will post the recipe for tonight's canine confection below.

I wonder if S is actually going to sing "Happy Birthday"... *snicker*

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Canine Carob Cake Supreme

1 1/2 c. Flour
3/4 c. Milk
1/4 c. Margarine, softened
4 Egg Yolks
2 t. Vanilla
1/2 t. Salt
2 oz. Carob, melted (*Do NOT use chocolate; it is toxic to dogs*)
1/4 c. Carob Chips

Block of Cream Cheese, softened
Mini-Colored Dog Bones, Chopped Jerky Treats, or Carob Chips for garnish

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan, 9x5x3. Beat all ingredients in a bowl, except the Carob chips. Once combined, fold in carob chips. Pour into pan. Bake 40-45 minutes until the top slightly cracks. Invert cake onto wire rack to cool. While it is cooling, whip cream cheese. Once the cake is completely cool, frost with cream cheese and then decorate. Enjoy! (Well, if you are the dog.)