Keep jar of all-natural dog biscuits

Dear Uncle Matty: I was wondering if you might have a recipe to make dog cookies or biscuits. I read your column . . . and find it interesting. —Sophie K., Big Bay, Mich.

Dear Sophie: More and more pet owners are cooking up special treats for their pets because they can prepare all-natural goodies that are healthier and taste better. Most pets seem to really enjoy the flavors of home cooking. Of course, making cookies and biscuits using pet recipes is important. People food is never a good idea. Rose and I keep a biscuit jar on our kitchen counter especially for doggy cookies made using the following recipe, which we got from comic impressionist Fred Travalena and his wife, Lois.

DOG BISCUITS

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup powdered milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

8 tablespoons meat, bacon drippings or margarine

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons beef or chicken broth

1/2 cup ice water

Bacon, crumbled (optional)

Cheese, grated (optional)

Combine flour, wheat germ, dry milk, salt, garlic powder and brown sugar. Cut in margarine or meat drippings until mixed. Add beaten egg, broth and any other favorite ingredients (bacon, cheese, etc.). Add water as needed to form mixture into a ball.

Pat or roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness on wax paper. Cut with dog biscuit cutter or any cookie cutter that makes the right size biscuit for your dog.

Cover cookie sheet with foil and a little oil. Place biscuits on sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until brown at the edges.

There are a number of cookbooks full of recipes for pets. One that we enjoy is "Gourmet Dog Biscuits From Your Bread Machine," which is available on my Web site and in many bookstores. Our dogs especially like the Crunchy Crunchers and the Lip Smackers. Most of these recipes can be made without a bread machine. Yummy!

Dear Uncle Matty: You said oil of oregano kills fleas — it doesn't. —P.M.