I told you I would tell you why my sister Cary was eating out of a dog bowl. I'm not the only one around here who had a birthday in July.
So did Roni and Ghetti!
We went with a Scooby-Doo theme.
My nephew and niece weren't as eager to don the masks. I think they may have shared the dogs' feelings - that we were all a little crazy. When I told my mom she was invited to her "granddaughters'" (she just LOVES it when I call them that) birthday party, I think her exact words were, "You've got to be kidding me."
While I finished fixing lunch, the kids became little Scooby and the Gang detectives, in search of the missing dog treats I'd hidden around the downstairs. 
Next, the kids opened the dogs' presents.
I think they liked their gifts!
We (humans) had chips, salsa, and grapes. This was the dog's "appetizer" plate. We called the pawprint treats their "Scooby Snacks." 
I put together super long sandwiches, made of toasted Rudi's Bakery bread, olives, bell pepper strips, lettuce, mustard, tomato slices, avocado, salad dressing, Gardein Chick'n Strips, Vegenaise, and cucumbers.
Just like Scooby would like 'em.
We had used these (new & food-safe!)dog bowls at my oldest son's 9th birthday party, which had a Fetch Ruff Ruffman theme (Fetch is a smart and witty game show host dog on a PBS Kids show, for all of you non-parent/PBS Kids types.).
the dogs' cake
I wasn't sure how my hodgepodge of ingredients was going to turn out so I just put the batter in 3 mini (Easter Egg shaped) pans. I looked at these recipes, then kind of came up with my own. The cakes were mostly made from brown rice flour, oats, peanut butter, and shredded carrots. I threw in a little oil, egg replacer, and a tsp. of baking soda. It turned out so well I wish I'd just one big cake.
The tops are decorated with yogurt and shredded carrots.
The human party go-ers enjoyed Scooby Snacks made especially for them. I thought these tasted really good! ("R" is for Roni, and "G" is for Ghetti, if you didn't figure that out.)
Scooby Snacks Recipe
(which I veganized from this recipe)2 cups flour
Egg Replacer amounts for 2 eggs
1 cup oats
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup Earth Balance
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients. If there is not enough liquid to stir all of the ingredients, add a tiny amount of "milk." Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Can be cooked for a shorter time for chewier cookies, or a longer time for drier, crisp cookies.
We even sang Happy Birthday to them. I may have even heard my Mom join in.
Puddy was much more interested in the cake than his canine cousins.
Goody bags for the kids - and Puddy. His bag contained various dog chews and treats.
The kids' bags consisted of Scooby and Gang coloring sheets, stickers, and even Scooby band-aids.
Roni and Ghetti were freshly bathed and dressed up. They were nervous because they thought their heartthrob, Scooby, was actually going to show up. :)
Funny that once she put the mask on, she just left it on while she played Legos.One week left for my CSN $40 giveaway. (Remember, you can buy practically anything you want with this!) There are only 37 entries so your chances are still pretty good!
