Pet sitter Daphne Templeton has a soft spot for every stray and misfit who wanders into Sylvan Creek. But even Daphne doesn’t like arrogant, womanizing Steve Beamus, the controversial owner of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy. When Steve turns up dead during a dog agility trial, Daphne can think of a long list of people with motives for homicide, and so can the police. Unfortunately, at the top of the list is Daphne’s sister, Piper—Steve’s latest wronged girlfriend.
Certain that Piper is innocent, in spite of mounting evidence to the contrary, Daphne sets out to clear her sister’s name—and find Axis, Steve’s prize-winning chocolate Labrador, who went missing the night of Steve’s death. Aided by Socrates, her taciturn basset hound, and a hyperactive one-eared Chihuahua named Artie, Daphne quickly runs afoul of Detective Jonathan Black, a handsome and enigmatic newcomer to town, who has no appreciation for Daphne’s unorthodox sleuthing.
Can a free-spirited pet sitter, armed only with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and her two incompatible dogs, find the real killer before she becomes the next victim?
PowerPup Breakfast
I’m calling this a breakfast, but it’s great to serve at any meal. It’s full of nutrients. If you have the time or inclination, make the chicken stock yourself. It’s even healthier that way. You can also adjust this recipe to make bigger quantities and freeze portions in plastic bags. It really makes sense. If you’re going to the trouble of cooking chicken, beef, and barely, you might as well make a lot.
Ingredients
2 chicken thighs
1 cup barely
½ pound lean ground beef
2 large carrots, peeled
2 apples, unpeeled
1 small head of broccoli
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
One 15 ounce can sweet potato puree
1 cup chicken stock
Arrange the chicken in a medium-sized pot, and cover with water. Bring the chicken to a boil over medium heat, and then lower the heat and simmer until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool
Meanwhile, in a separate medium-size pot, combine the barely and 3 cups water, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for approximately 40 minutes, or until the grains are soft but chewy. (Make sure to check the barely as it’s cooking. You may need to add more water if the pot gets dry.) Drain, if necessary, and allow to cool.
While the barely is cooking, fry the ground beef in a small pan over medium heat until it is fully cooked and crumbly, about 12 minutes. Drain off any fat and allow the meat to cool.
Slice up the carrots, apples, broccoli, and spinach enough to fit in a food processor. Process everything together until the mixture is roughly chopped.
Next, take the meat off the bones of the cooled chicken and chop it up. Discard the bones.
Mix together the chicken, beef, barley, and veggies in a large bowl. Using ¼ cup measuring cup, slowly and alternately add the pumpkin and stock for the next time. The proportions do vary sometimes, based upon things like how well the barely is cooked, how big the apples are, and so on. Use your judgement.
Place your dog’s usual portion size of the mixture in a bowl, set that on the floor, and give your favorite pup the go-ahead to dig in. save any leftovers in the fridge for up to our days ir freeze unused portions.
Makes about 8 cups.
“Doggone charming from start to finish!” —Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author
Pet sitter Daphne Templeton has a soft spot for every stray and misfit who wanders into the quaint, lakeside village of Sylvan Creek. But even Daphne doesn’t like arrogant, womanizing Steve Beamus, the controversial owner of Blue Ribbon K-9 Academy. When Steve turns up dead during a dog agility trial, Daphne can think of a long list of people with motives for homicide, and so can the police. Unfortunately, at the top of the list is Daphne’s sister, Piper—Steve’s latest wronged girlfriend.
Certain that Piper is innocent, in spite of mounting evidence to the contrary, Daphne sets out to clear her sister’s name—and find Axis, Steve’s prize-winning chocolate Labrador, who went missing the night of Steve’s death. Aided by Socrates, her taciturn basset hound, and a hyperactive one-eared Chihuahua named Artie, Daphne quickly runs afoul of Detective Jonathan Black, a handsome and enigmatic newcomer to town, who has no appreciation for Daphne’s unorthodox sleuthing.
Can a free-spirited pet sitter, armed only with a Ph.D. in Philosophy and her two incompatible dogs, find the real killer before she becomes the next victim?
Includes recipes for homemade dog treats!
“When murder is unleashed in the idyllic town of Sylvan Creek, it’s up to spunky pet sitter Daphne and her darling duo of misfit mutts to catch the killer. A doggone charming read from start to finish!”—Cleo Coyle, New York Times bestselling author
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