When you are a pet owner, you understand that the relationship between you and your dog (or cat) is one of a kind.

Generally, a cat will demand that you (beg for permission to) give them attention, and cat owners submit to these orders with great love and devotion. Dogs, on the other hand, will generally give you all of their undivided attention (unless a ball is thrown or a car door closes down the road).

While dog people and cat people are as different as Š cats and dogs ... pet owners generally share one big thing in common Š the understanding that your pet deserves the very best.

What better way to bond with your pet (and save money!) than to make your own homemade pet treats? Like a child eagerly waiting for a batch of cookies, the appreciative look in your pets eyes will be reward enough once you serve up these tasty canine (or feline) treats.

These homemade pet treat recipes are easy to make, and each batch will produce enough pet treats to last several weeks. (Depending on how many tricks your pet can do).

Homemade Dog Treats

cup hot water or hot meat juices

cup powdered milk

1 beaten egg

1/3 cup margarine

3 cups whole wheat flour

Pour hot water over margarine in a large bowl. Add milk, salt, and egg. Mix well, then stir in

cup of flour at a time (mixing well).

Once the mixture begins to resemble dough, start kneading it and add flour as necessary to make a stiff dough. Pat with fingers to about an inch thickness onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes, then allow to cool and dry until bone-hard.

Garlic Treats

2 cups whole wheat flour

cup nonfat powdered milk

teaspoon salt

teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

6 tablespoons meat drippings

1 beaten egg (per batch)

cup ice cold water

Lightly oil a cookie sheet.

Combine all dry ingredients. Cut in meat drippings until mixture resembles corn meal. Mix in the egg and enough water for the mixture to form a ball. Pat dough out to about an inch thick (using fingers) and cut out ‘shapes' with a knife or cookie cutter. (Scraps can be reformed and baked).

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, remove and cool on a rack until bone-dry.

(These treats are tasty for either a dog or a cat, but not a human.)

Homemade Cat Treats

2 cans sardines

2/3 cup cooked rice

1 tablespoon beef or chicken liver, minced

cup parsley leaves

Combine all ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up sardines into bite size pieces. Keep stored in a refrigerator, tightly covered.