Difficulty Level Easy

I'm a big believer in buying good quality pet food for your animals, because it stands to reason, that just like people, if they eat crap, they won't be healthy. I have however, never gone past baking dog biscuit treats for my dog, Jasper.

I just received a package from The Honest Kitchen, a company based in San Diego. In addition to the cookbook they sent me to make dog (and some cat) food, they enclosed something called Healthy Kitchen Force, which is a packet of dehydrated raw dog food made from 100% human food grade ingredients. The first ingredient is dehydrated chicken, and then there is a huge list of fruits and vegetables. No salt, sugar, artificial preservatives or flavours are used in any of their products.

I looked through the book, entitled Made Out of Love by Lucy Postins for something that might appeal to Jasper. A number of recipes in the book can be eaten by people as well, in case you want to share your meal with your dog. I made something called Dream Drops, which actually calls for the use of Honest Kitchen Thrive, rather than Force, which I neglected to notice before I started the recipe. I can't say that I understand the difference between the two products, nor do I think Jasper would notice the difference.

As you know, I cook a lot, and normally Jasper accompanies me in the kitchen. He usually sits off to one side or snoozes while I work. This morning I ripped open the packet of Force and he was instantly at attention as he clearly smelled that this was something destined for him. His tail thumped the entire time I mixed the stuff and he sat in front of the oven while they baked.

He was so excited when they were cool enough to eat that he slobbered all over my camera trying to get to the treat in my hand. My husband fed them to him but the camera shutter wasn't fast enough to catch the actual cookie in his hand before it was in Jasper's gullet.

The products seem to largely provide for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies, and it is pretty pricy stuff, but Jasper gave it a hearty endorsement.

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