Dog Days of Summer! Perfect time to introduce Gus, our three year old golden retriever. He’s our unofficial therapy dog and likes to shadow anyone who’s on the move. Putting on your shoes? Gus gets crazy excited, fetches his leash and is ready to bolt out into the world. Trip to the vet? That’s cool with Gus since they always have treats there and the people are over the top nice and professional. Beach? Swim? Lake? Gus is always game! He’s great at making friends wherever he goes. Time to chill? That’s cool, too.

The Real Golden Gus was born in West Virginia just like our daughters. He adjusted to the move to Louisiana even though it gets HOT! He enjoys naps on the tile floor not too far from the kitchen. The moment he hears the fridge open or some chopping he moves in for a closer look, hoping for a sample of the happenings.

What’s your 20 minute recipe? I’m more of a taster than a test cook. When that peanut butter aroma is in the air, I know mom has made one of my favorite frozen treats, Peanut Butter Pup-cicles. The sound of vegetables chopping really gets my attention, too. I love all the recipes!

What’s your favorite city? Ferriday, Louisiana. My friends Sam and Lola invite me to their lake house and it is such a special place. We can run wild and swim in the lake, then come inside for air conditioning and treats.

What’s your Favorite restaurant in your current city? Cocha. We get a table outside on their new patio and I just love it. I can’t read the menu but everything is always so good and I love all the attention I get.

Treasured find in the back of your fridge? The chicken jello. Mom calls it bone broth when it’s hot and consommee when it’s chilled. Whatever. It’s really chicken jello.

Who taught you to cook? I’m still trying to learn, but everyone shouts when I put my paws on the counter.

What’s your go-to dish for company? When Sam and Lola come over I share my Purina kibble. They really like it for something different from their usual brand.

What’s on your cooking playlist? Oh I really love when Mom sings, “Gus, do you want to eat? Eat?” She sings it twice every day, I wish she would sing it all day long.

Coffee, tea, or Kombucha? I’m more of a water guy. My people make coffee every morning, maybe I’ll try some. They sure seem to love it.

Most stained cookbook? Once I chewed Mom’s new book Jackson & Levine Round to Ours. She was mad.

Surf? or Turf? Crawfish boil!

Indispensable kitchen tool? The cutting board. It’s making music all day long and I just love to catch the vegetable trimmings. Everyone praises me, it’s really something.

Staple childhood comfort food? Ice cubes! I know it sounds silly.

How do you like your toast? Yes I love toast!

Who would you most like to share a meal with? past, present or fictional? My twin sister. She stayed in West Virginia and I moved down to Louisiana. It would be fun to share our stories.

Ideal grilled cheese? Yes I love grilled cheese!

Favorite pizza topping? Sam and Lola’s mom and dad have us over for pizza night a lot, it’s hard to pick just one favorite. They let me eat lots of the crust. Dad calls them pizza bones.

Where would you want to take a cooking class? Maybe at PetSmart? It always smells soooo good in there!

What’s your Counter Intelligence cooking tip? When no one is looking you can go counter surfing and really score big. I like to take my treasures over to the rug and enjoy. I usually get caught later, it’s embarrassing but worth it.

Three things next to your stove? Sometimes the butter is there and a spoon to lick and I can see some scraps on the cutting board.

Favorite Sports Team? The LSU Tigers!

Did someone say TREAT?! Is it a cupcake? A popcicle? It’s a Pup-cicle! Look into my eyes and I dare you to say I can’t have another.

Peanut Butter Pup-cicles

Three ingredients, mix, scoop, freeze. Frosty treats are ready for the Dog Days of Summer!

1 ripe banana
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup peanut butter

PEEL the banana into a medium bowl and mash with a fork.

STIR in the yogurt and peanut butter, mixing to combine.

DIVIDE the mixture into 8 small paper cups on a tray that fits your freezer (I use a silicone muffin pan, no paper liners needed)

POP the tray or muffin pan into the freezer and freeze until solid, several hours or overnight.

REMOVE the treats from their molds and freeze them in a container.

SERVE with a smile to your lucky dog.

Makes 8 (Gus servings) or 12 (Sam and Lola servings)

NOTE: some yogurts and peanut butters can contain xylitol which is dangerous for dogs. Choose brands that do not contain xylitol