Now, speaking of pets as I was earlier, you might recall that I posted about the little biscuity treats I make for ours. Although this will be coming out in a book early next year, I now have permission to share it anyway.

Dogs, cats and even people like them, truly. After all, they contain all good ingredients, supposing you like liverwurst, which I most certainly don’t.

A final word on pets – naturally ours are all inside dozing in their spot of choice for a rainy day. In the top of some shelves we have placed two cat beds, and a carpeted post for them to climb up to reach there.

It’s old Tom’s favourite spot, but he won’t sleep inside the bed, only on top of it- he’s pushed it down to suit. Here he is laid out in style, on his back with only back feet and tip of tail visible. Should either of the other cats try to climb up there, woe betide them – they get a hook claw come over the edge to welcome them, a pretty effective deterrent.

And so to that recipe…

Pet Treats (for dogs or cats)

1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons vegetable or rice bran oil
1¼ cups plain flour
1 cup wholemeal flour
¾ cup cornmeal (polenta)
½ cup chicken stock
100g liverwurst
60g finely grated pumpkin

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line 2 biscuit baking trays with baking paper.

Mix all ingredients together well, adding a little water if need be to bring the mixture together.

Turn the dough out on lightly floured surface & knead briefly. Roll out to 8mm thickness.

With a small cookie cutter, stamp out biscuit shapes. Place on prepared trays.

Bake for 15 minutes or until firm. Cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

Store the treats in an airtight container in the fridge.