The following originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

My Adventures, Fears, Mishaps and Musings

By: Penny Doubman

Translated by Blaise Doubman

I guess you could say it all started when I was born, which is where it starts for most people right? The only difference here is I am not a human being; I am a Sheltie. I know, you are reading this and wondering what you are reading and what is going on. Right? But let me explain something to you, I love sharing my adventures with people and as long as Blaise can translate them for me, why not, right? There have been so many adventures that Blaise and I have shared together that I have to tell you all about some of them!

One of the funniest things that happened, right off the top of my head, that I have got to tell you about is the time when Blaise thought my tail was loose! Oh, my goodness, he will probably be so mad at me for telling you all this, but I have too! Blaise and his family were playing with me and someone, I can not remember who, grabbed my tail a little. Blaise let out a yell and said he knew for sure they had pulled my tail out of socket! He said my tail looked loose! Everyone was laughing, including me, but to him it was not funny! He just knew my tail was dislocated or something.

Another funny story off the top of my head was the time when Blaise and I went fishing with his brother Damon and his Mom and Dad, Jamie and Darla. You should have seen my nose curl up! It stunk out there in that fishing place! It did not at all smell like the salmon treats I love eating! Truthfully, just between me and you, I am scared of fish!

Blaise and I used to travel everywhere together before the virus hit! Blaise wondered if I should be wearing a mask, but I do not know how he thinks I would wear one! My snout is so big it would literally have to look like a sock to cover it up! When we would go out, we would always stop in at Starbucks and get me some of the best tasting water I have ever had in my life! And I loved shopping at Hobby Lobby too, especially. I love looking at the yarn area because it reminds me of when Blaise and his Grandma Barbra would take me shopping and she would spend forever there picking out different yarns of all kinds of colors and textures.

Speaking of Blaise’s Grandma Barbra, I really miss her. She passed away in November of 2019. Just ten days apart from Blaise’s Grandma Deloris. Grandma Barbra and Blaise and I would always go out shopping and lunching together! She was always so fascinated by me. Sometimes I would catch her looking and looking at me. I think she knew that Blaise and I really needed each other. Grandma Deloris was such a special woman too. She named me! She thought of naming me Penny and I am so glad she did. I really think the name fits me.

One of my favorite memories of myself with Grandma Deloris was when I was very first brought home into my new family and they took me over to see her at Glen Oaks. She loved holding me and I loved laying with her. One of the very first pictures that Blaise took of me was when I was laying in her arms and guess what? If you look really close in the picture you can see a flea on my stomach! Ha! Yes, true story, a flea and it is big! Blaise still laughs about that to this very day. I loved visiting everyone at Glen Oaks, it was a nice time.

I hope you have enjoyed a small glimpse into my life because I really love sharing it with you. If you are thinking about getting a pet to bring some joy into your life, go for it! I highly recommend sharing your love with a pet because so many animals out there need homes and so many are waiting for loving homes. I am so thankful and blessed and lucky and fortunate to be able to call Blaise my human and have him in my life. I really think I was born to be loved by him and to help him and I want to honor my life’s work to spread love and happiness.

Blaise Doubman, of Kennard, is an Indiana University graduate. He writes the food column, “CHEW THIS!” that appears in The Courier-Times and The Shelbyville News. He invites readers to visit his website at: TRAIL BLAISE (http://trailblaise.com). He loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted via the contact page found directly on his website. He credits his fur baby Penny with not only saving his life but also for teaching him about the important things in life. Penny loves sharing her adventures with Blaise though his social media and connecting with people. She loves barking, getting into trouble, eating salmon treats and watching TV.

RECIPE

Penny of Love Homemade Treats

Dogs love these perfectly delicious homemade treats! For a crunchier treat, microwave 4 biscuits at a time on a microwave safe plate for about 60-90 seconds. Let cool before feeding to your fur baby. You can also microwave all the treats, allow them to cool and store them crispy in an airtight container.

1 cup beef broth
¼ cup smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ cups white all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup cornmeal

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl mix together the beef broth, smooth peanut butter and olive oil.

Add in the white all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat germ and cornmeal. Be sure to mix everything until very well combined. Use clean hands for this if necessary.

Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, until the dough is about ½-inch thick. Using a lightly floured cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out desired number of treats. Place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature.