Summertime and the living is hot and sticky and most likely uncomfortable if you are covered in fur.

Why not cool things off by making some healthy dog ice cream? It’s easy and fun! But most important your dog will love you for it. And if your dog likes Frosty Paws then we are pretty sure they will love this 3 ingredient recipe.

YOU WILL NEED:

1 1/2 cups plain 0% Greek YOGURT (ice cream base)
According to the AKC, dairy based yogurt is high in calcium and protein and healthy for dogs. We’re talking plain, unsweetened yogurt here with no additives.

3/4 cup PEANUT BUTTER
Yes, dogs love peanut butter. Use unsweetened natural peanut butter. Extremely important to point out, not to use any peanut butter containing xylitol. Natural peanut butter is the way to go here, but do read the peanut butter ingredients list. Xylitol highly toxic to dogs and other pets.

1 ripe BANANA
Can be optional but it does add some structure and a little sweetness. Or you can also swap out with pumpkin or anything else your dog may enjoy.

Now, lets put it all together and make some ice cream for your dog!

1. PUREE THE INGREDIENTS
Place all ingredients in a food processor, blender, stand mixer, or in a mixing bowl and blend until smooth.

2. DIVIDE INTO INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS
For easy serving, we love putting the ice cream in an edible cone or portion into individual servings in cup cake papers placed in a cup cake pan, An ice cream scoop works great for this. You could also use dixie cups or a silicone ice cube mold, or scoop mounds onto a cookie sheet. Some dogs have been known to try and choke down the whole thing in one bite, so do not leave your dog unattended while enjoying their cool treat

3. FREEZE
Freeze your homemade ice cream. For soft serve, freeze for about one hour. For a more firm ice cream, freeze for about two hours or more.

Once frozen solid, store in a freezer bag. Ice cream will keep for up to 3 months, but please don’t let this yummy treat sit around that long!

Interested in adopting a pet? Homeoanimals.com (as in homeopathic) Ultimate Guide to Pet Adoption is a series of 12 articles worth checking out,

Being pro rescue/adoption, their series topics include the benefits of adopting an animal, the myths that are all too often associated with pet adoption, what one should consider before and during a pet adoption process, and also tips for taking care of the new member of the family.

Here is the link to the articles: https://www.homeoanimal.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-pet-adoption

Here at Small Dog Mall, we LOVE that you want to rescue/adopt and we hope these articles help anyone looking to adopt a furry pal!

You will need:

• A box of dog cookies, choose your pups favorite brand or make your own.

• Narrow ribbon about 1/8 inch wide in rich shades of dark green, red, purple, royal blue, maroon.

• Something to make holes in the cookies. I like to use my drill.

• A small, potted, evergreen tree. I get mine at Home Depot. Cover the pot it comes in with fabric or holiday wrapping paper or replant the tree in a pot or bucket. I like to cover the dirt with green moss, the moss gives a nice finished look.

Drill holes in the cookies and tie with loops of ribbon in assorted colors and hang on the tree.

This tree looks so cute and it is fun to see the little furry ones help themselves to cookies! But make sure you remove the ribbon before your dog eats it. And placed next to your tree, this one will look great.

Don’t forget to decorate the pot with a big bow.

Since this is a living evergreen, you can place it outside after the holidays and use it again next year, and the year after that!

The Variety is Great
Small dogs come in a variety of shapes, sizes (within the small category), personality, coat type and activity level. There is a breed for anyone who thinks they would like a little dog. Small dogs are not just lapdogs and some are tougher than others.

If You Live in the City
Small dogs are ideal for apartment living because they don’t necessarily need to work off loads of energy. But not all small dogs were born to the lap, breeds like Dachshunds and terriers would be just as happy in the country running around a farm.

Got Kids?
If your family members include young to very young children, please make sure your small dog has a kid free zone, a place to get away from them. Even better, do your research and carefully choose a breed that will fit your family dynamic.

Remember, the Toy breeds are too delicate to hold their own in a rambunctious family of young kids — they need a gentle touch, along with a calm and quiet environment.

Rescue, Rescue, Rescue
And I would be terribly remiss if I did not urge anyone who is thinking of getting a small dog companion that you look to rescue as your first option. There are millions of wonderful, deserving dogs looking for a forever home. And if you are looking for a male who isn't afraid to commit, well, your local shelter is just overflowing with them.

There are breed specific rescue organizations from sea to shining sea and all the rescue groups have websites.

When I was ready to get another dog, I went to Petfinder.com — Petfinder is a web site that will hook you up with rescue organizations in your part of the country. I found Cash (see his mug shot below) thru Petfinders on the Bill Foundation site. Turns out Cash was in Santa Monica, which is right next door to Venice, CA where we live.

Cash is a Chihuahua mix

My List of Small Dogs
According the AKC (American Kennel Club), the following list represents the 25 smallest dog breeds. I have included a brief, and not necessarily complete, description of some of their qualities. They are listed in alphabetical order, not size:

Brussels Griffon - affectionate, charming, curious.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - affectionate, friendly, easy-going, graceful, gentle, the perfect family dog. Extra special bonus is they are excellent with children and the elderly.

Chihuahua - graceful, charming yet sassy, master of their universe, fears nothing.

Chinese Crested - loyal, intelligent, friendly, and for all of you allergy sufferers out there, has a hairless body.

Dachshund - spunky, playful, stubborn.

English Toy Spaniel - a true spaniel, gentle, happy, playful, loving.

Havanese - the national dog of Cuba, spirited and curious.

Italian Greyhound - gentle and loving, they form very strong bonds with their human companions.

Japanese Chin - a true aristocrat, charming and loving with those they favor, not a high energy dog.

Maltese - a true companion, gentle, playful, affectionate.

Miniature Pinscher - proud, fearless, fun-loving, Min Pins have lots of personality.

Norfolk Terrier - alert, fun-loving, self-confident, spirited, lovable, happy, fearless.

Norwich Terrier - outgoing, plucky, loyal, affectionate. My hairy niece Birdie is a Norwich.

Papillon - happy, alert, friendly, quiet.

Pekingese - dignified, supremely confident, independent, affectionate, loyal, and get ready to curtsy because they have a regal manner.

Pomeranian - extroverted, intelligent, lively and bold, inquisitive, great companions — being a bit of a clown, they are another personality breed.

Pug - even-tempered, charming, mischievous, very loving.

Schipperke - alert, curious, confident, intense, but with a dash of mischief.

Shih Tzu - outgoing, affectionate, playful, charming.

Silky Terrier - friendly, vivacious, cheeky, they form strong bonds, in all ways a true terrier.

Toy Fox Terrier - outgoing and friendly, yet fiercely loyal to their families, the Fox Terriers I have known LOVE children.

Manchester Terrier - spirited, bright, keenly observant, loyal, independent.

Poodle - proud, active, super smart and super sensitive.

Yorkshire Terrier - full of joie de vivre, cautiously courageous, spunky, affectionate.

Do Your Research
The list of breed characteristics above is not necessarily complete and some are based on my own observations and experience with the breed. I urge you to investigate thoroughly the breed you think might be a good match for you and your family before you get your dog.

If you are on the fence about a small dog, read my blog In Praise of the Little Dog.