The Blessings of the Animals with Piper, Buster, Buddy, and Meatball, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4

St. Francis of Assisi,1186 - 1226, is a much beloved saint. He has inspired a deep and gentle love in many individuals despite differences in religious beliefs. His love of all God's creatures captured in his canticles and legends continue to uplift us. Below you will find pictures and a recipe for making dog treats for your favorite canine.

Illustration from one of our favorite children's
authors Tomie de Paola from his book,
Francis the Poor Man of Assisi

Here is Piper, age 2, our son, Tom, and his wife, Meredith's, daughter celebrating the Feast of St. Francis by making, baking, and giving the family dogs some dog treats. The recipe is included in this post. We also include pictures from the Blessing of the Animals at St. Casimir Catholic Church, Baltimore, MD, where our daughter-in-law took their dog, Meatball, for his first blessings this weekend. We love our eleven grandchildren, and we love the three dogs that are included in our various families. We hope you will try this recipe for your family dogs or if you don't have one for your neighbors' dogs.

Yep, we are going to make some dog treats!

Ooo this is sticky!

Boy, do they look good!

Hey, Buster & Buddy look what I made you!

Blessing of the Animals at St. Casimir Catholic Church

Saturday afternoon, October 2, 2021

Meatball, Mike and Cogan's dog receiving a blessing

Peanut Butter Spice Dog Treat Recipe

 

INGREDIENTS                                                                                               EQUIPMENT

1 Cup pumpkin puree                                                                                Medium-size mixing bowl

2 Eggs                                                                                                            Large spoon

 1/3 Cup of peanut butter natural, NO                                                  Measuring cups

Xylitol or sugar substitute                                                                         Measuring spoons

2 Cups whole wheat flour, all-purpose may                                        Pastry mat or rolling board

be used. I used whole wheat.                                                                  Parchment paper

½ Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.                                      Baking pans

Check pumpkin pie spice that it has no nutmeg                                 Cookie cutters

in it. Can be toxic to some dogs. I used cinnamon.                            Rolling pin

 

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking pans with parchment paper.

1.      In mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter. Combine thoroughly.

2.      Add spice to flour, then add to pumpkin mixture stirring until just combined.

3.      Lightly flour pastry mat or rolling board. Break off baseball size amount of dough. Roll out, using extra flour if needed to keep from sticking.

4.      Using cookie cutters, cut out designs of your choice. I used dog bone cookie cutters. Repeat with remaining dough.

5.      Place shapes on the prepared baking pans.

6.      Bake for 20 to 40 minutes. I baked my dog treats for 30 minutes. The longer they bake, the crunchier they are.

7.      Remove from oven. Cool on cooling rack. They may be stored in an airtight container for one month or in the freezer for six months.

8.      This recipe makes 3 or 4 dozen treats depending on the size of your cookie cutter. 

Happy Feast of St. Francis, lover of all creation!

A Prayer for Blessing Animals 

Blessed are You, Lord God,

Creator of all that lives!

On the fifth and sixth days of creation

You called forth every kind of fish in the sea

and bird in the air,

and all animals on the land.

You inspired St. Francis

to call all creatures his brothers and sisters,

for he saw in them a sign of Your fatherly care for us.

And so we ask You to bless these animals (or this animal) +

By the power of Your love

enable them to live according to You plan.

And may we always do Your will

and praise You

for all of Your beauty in creation.

Praised be You, my Lord

in all Your creatures!

Amen.

Definition of Blessing: A blessing  or benediction is a prayer invoking God's power and care upon some person, (animal), place, thing, or undertaking. The prayer of benediction acknowledges God as the source of all blessing. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1671

Here is our  family favorite. It is still available on Amazon and in bookstores.

St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us and All Those Whom We Love