*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Before You Were Mine By: Maribeth Boelts* Illustrated by: David Walker
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
Having had two rescue dogs, I always wondered what their life was like before they came to live with me. Though one has passed away, both were and are such loving dogs, it was hard to believe that no one wanted them. This thought provoking children’s book puts it all into prospective and stresses the importance of adopting dogs from shelters. What an important message to share with children. Reader, beware! You may need a box of tissue as you read this lovely story.
*The author, Maribeth Boelts, is donating part of the profits from this book to the Humane Society of the United States.
Tips for Reading:
- In this story, we don’t know the dog’s name. After reading, ask the child to think of a good name for the dog.
- After reading, ask the child to reflect on how the dog in the story must have felt before he was adopted and then after he was adopted.
- After reading, discuss with the child why it is important to adopt a dog from a shelter.
Additional Books:
- Buddy Unchained By: Daisy Bix and Joe Hyatts
- Can I Be Your Dog By: Troy Cummings
- Rescued by Love By: Lindsay Jouet (7 years old)
*All of the books listed can be found on Amazon and most can be found at your local bookstore or library.
Cooking Time:
Puppy Dog Salad
This fun and healthy fruit salad really looks like a puppy. Children can help assemble the puppy and then enjoy.
1 lettuce leaf
1 canned pear half
1 prune half
2 mandarin orange segments
1 red maraschino cherry
1 raisin
- Place lettuce leaf on a plate.
- Place the pear cut side down on the lettuce.
- Place the prune on the wide end of the pear to form the ear.
- For the collar, place the orange segments along the bottom of the pear.
- Place the cherry at the narrow end of the pear for the nose.
- Add the raisin for the eye.
Puppy Chow
This popular snack is fun and very easy to make. Children can add the cereal and powdered sugar and will love to shake the bag. The whole family will enjoy this sweet treat.
8 cups rice cereal ( We used Crispix.)
1 stick butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
Brown bag
- Put the cereal into a large bowl.
- In a pan on medium low to low heat, melt the chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter. (Stir constantly.)
- Pour melted chocolate mixture over the cereal.
- Stir gently until all of the cereal is coated with the chocolate mixture. (Be careful not to break up cereal.)
- Place the cereal mixture into a brown bag.
- Add the powdered sugar and shake until the cereal is coated with powdered sugar. (Children love to shake the bag.)
- Pour into a bowl and enjoy.
Pumpkin Dog Treats
We can’t forget the dogs in our lives. My rescue dog, Jake, has attended daycare at a wonderful place called LaBest Pet Resort. They have a party almost every month and Jake loves to attend. As a take home treat they make homemade items for each of the attendees. They were kind enough to give me this recipe to share.
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup real pumpkin (not pie filling)
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 to 5 Tablespoons water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Put all ingredients into a large bowl, except the water, and mix together. (Hands work the best.)
- Add the water, 1 Tablespoon at a time to make the dough workable.
- Dough should be dry and stiff, but still holds together.
- Using a rolling pin, roll the dough about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut into 1/2 inch pieces or use cookie cutters to make shapes.
- Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Let cool on rack before removing from tray.
