Shortbread Toffee Bars
Dogggggs are the best. All they want is a sofa, a tennis ball, a squeaker (not an entire toy with a squeaker inside: they want to demolish that and get the actual squeaker itself, please.) Everyone should own a dog, and there are so many wonderful dogs waiting to be owned! So many, in fact, that shelters in the U.S. are forced to euthanize around 46,154 healthy, adoptable pets every week.
Every week.
Listen, I’m not here to make you sad. I’m not that Sarah McLachlan commercial from hell where dogs in cages will break your heart into a million pieces. Look at those toffee bars! I’m obviously all about happiness right now. So instead of focusing on that horrific number, I’m going to tell you how to fix it: ADOPT A RESCUE DOG (or kitty).
You may have purchased a puppy from a breeder — even from a “responsible breeder” if there can be such a thing considering the aforementioned fact — and I would never judge you or want you to feel bad about things in the past. But in case you’re one of the many people out there who still has room in their home for a friend, here are the reasons you should adopt your next pet from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder:
- You can get a pet of any AGE at the shelter. Plenty of people want A PUPPY. They’re drunk on this idea of bonding from the get-go. Fine, although I’ll tell you there’s nothing so sweet as a dog who knows they’ve been saved. But you don’t need to go to a breeder to get a puppy: shelters and rescues get pregnant mamas all the time. If you’re willing to be flexible with the timing of adopting your new pet, put in an application with a rescue and sit tight; a puppy is sure to fall in your lap before long. Also, though, consider that puppies are less romantic than they sound: they cry, pee, and chew. A young pup that’s out of the puppy stage or even a grateful, mellow senior may fit your lifestyle more.
- You can get a pet of any BREED at the shelter. I knew I wanted a poodle, so when I was ready to adopt Byrd, a quick Google search led me to Carolina Poodle Rescue. People express shock all the time that there’s a POODLE rescue or they think they need to buy from a breeder to get a “hypoallergenic” dog, but there are tons of breed-specific rescues. Even rescues that aren’t breed-specific sometimes trend toward a favorite breed; for instance, I volunteer with a rescue that loves dachshunds and poodles. I follow pug rescues, hound rescues, a pit bull rescue, and a Great Pyrenees rescue on Facebook. If you’re willing to do some poking about, you can find the pup you want without supporting the breeding industry. If the rescue is far away, often transport can be arranged that still won’t cost what a dog from a “responsible” breeder would — and you’re saving a dog’s life!
- You can get a pet of any SIZE and TEMPERAMENT and TYPE at the shelter, period. Want a tiny fluffy lap dog? Shelter’s got ’em. Want a silly, sweet-hearted, block-headed pibble? Shelter’s got ’em. Want a smart dog? Shelter. Dopey dog? Shelter. Playful dog? Shelter. Cuddly dog? Shelter. Below (left) is Byrd, my fun, beautiful, precious, loyal, sweet toy poodle. And beside her is Moon Pie, an adorable, sweetheart terrier mix who was rescued from a hoarding situation and adopted by my friend Jess. Can you believe these two gorgeous girls are rescue dogs? I can — because I’ve seen tons of others just like them waiting to go home!
There ARE a few things you need to do to find the right rescue dog for you! Here are some tips:
- Don’t judge a dog in a cage. Shelters can be scary, hectic places and sometimes when dogs are there, they aren’t able to show off their best selves. Byrd barks when she’s around other dogs even though she’s incredibly sweet and pretty quiet at home. Ask your shelter if there’s a quiet meet-and-greet spot where you can interact with a few dogs before you make your decision.
- Do get your name out there. Contact a few shelters and let them know what sort of dog you’re looking for. Especially if they’re smaller rescues, they can try and keep you posted if a dog comes their way who is right for you.
- Don’t balk at adoption fees. They’re typically MUCH lower than buying a dog from a responsible breeder (if they’re not, you’re probably at a backyard breeder) and they cover tons of important vet care and ensure that the rescue can continue operating.
- Do evaluate a new adoptee with your current pet. Many shelters will let you bring your current animal(s) to see how they get along with a new friend. Read up on introducing new pets and prepare well in advance to make sure things go smoothly.
- Don’t be inflexible. Even though I LOVE poodles, fostering rescue dogs has made me realize that the right dog could be any breed. Even though I wanted to maximize my time with my pet by adopting a young dog, there is an inexplicable air of gratitude, love, and relief that exudes from an older rescue pup. Even though I adore lap dogs, there’s nothing like romping with a big, goofy dog who mercifully doesn’t know he’s been saved from euthanasia. Open your heart to the “right dog” being someone other than what you expected. It’s true what they say: the right dog rescues you.
Have any questions? Want help finding a dog in your area? Looking for a breed-specific rescue? I’d love to help!
In the meantime, here are some delicious toffee bars to enjoy while you scan the rescue pages. I based them on one of my favorite quick recipes, Saltine Toffee, where you spread toffee over a layer of saltine crackers, top with chocolate and pecans, and devour. These bars kick it up a notch with a buttery, salty shortbread base. Tie them up with ribbon in a cellophane bag and you have the perfect little gift! Enjoy!
Tell me about your rescue pets in the comments!
One year ago: Peach Cobbler Pastry Braid
Two years ago: Easy, Healthy Couscous Tabbouleh
Three years ago: Quick & Easy Sides: Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Garlic-Lemon Aioli
Four years ago: Milnot Cheesecake Cheesecake
Five years ago: Lemon Berry Crumble Breakup Bars
Six years ago: Valentine Truffle Heart
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted and chopped while hot
- Make the shortbread. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with a foil sling. Process the flour, powdered sugar, and salt together for a few seconds before adding in the chunks of cold butter. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with about 6-8 pulses or until it looks like small peas. Press the mixture into the baking dish with the flat bottom of a glass or small dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until very lightly browning.
- Make the Chocolate-Covered Toffee: Heat the butter and dark brown sugar over medium-high heat in a heavy saucepan. Once it boils, cook for 3 minutes, whisking gently and constantly. Pour it over the shortbread base and spread it evenly. Stick the bars back in the oven for 3 minutes. Pull them out and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the toffee. After 5 minutes, spread the melted chocolate chips over the top of the toffee and sprinkle on the chopped pecans. Let cool completely. Chop into bars and serve.
Leslie
January 18, 2016 at 10:45 pm (9 years ago)We have gotten all our pets from shelters. My first cat was a 6 month old and turned out to be a purebred Turkish Van, with papers. (Yes, even cats have breeds.) Then I got a 2 year old black kitty who was going to be put down the next day. (I was a volunteer and knew she was “next.”) My husband found a purebred Redbone Coonhound at the shelter, too. 🙂
Erin
January 18, 2016 at 11:01 pm (9 years ago)YAY for rescue dogs!! I have a 12 year old rescue dog, Fenway, who was rescued from a hunting reserve in Arkansas on Thanksgiving and driven up to Ohio with his 10 brothers and sisters to be rescued by people (like me!) who love Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. He’s part chessie, part black lab, and part Great Dane we think. Kind of like a horse that licks you – he loves apple cores and gallops. Amazing with all my babies. I get sad watching him get old! Rescue dogs are absolutely where you need to be finding your pets! Thanks for posting this, Julie.
Karen
January 18, 2016 at 11:05 pm (9 years ago)Thanks for all the shelter info. Where I live the shelter is tucked away and you never hear of it. I will definitely think of it when we are ready for a new pet. The toffee shortbread bars look amazing too!
Jane S
January 18, 2016 at 11:18 pm (9 years ago)What a great post, Julie! We have a Border Collie mix rescue, and I completely agree… A rescue is the way to go! You are right that there are so many wonderful pets in need of homes, and you really can find almost any breed you might want.
Also wanting those Toffee Bars! They look delicious, can’t wait to try them!
Liz S.
January 19, 2016 at 12:34 am (9 years ago)I’m proud to have a little snaggletoothed rescue shelter mutt in my family. She’s a gem. She was abandoned in a cardboard box in the woods when she was barely 1 year old, and thankfully the shelter employees found her. Now she’s 7 years old and full of life.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
January 19, 2016 at 7:14 am (9 years ago)Love the message about shelter dogs, and love the recipe! Your puppies are so gorgeous!
Heather @ Sugar Dish Me
January 19, 2016 at 9:31 am (9 years ago)Well. I am sure you know how I feel about this. Hearts to infinity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adopt all the dogs. The end.
And then eat toffee.
The end again.
GiGi Eats
January 19, 2016 at 9:39 am (9 years ago)Hubba Hubba! These bars CALL ME MOI!
heather @french press
January 19, 2016 at 10:01 am (9 years ago)we LOVE our rescue pups, and I bet we’d ALL love these bars
Vickie H.
January 19, 2016 at 10:26 am (9 years ago)As an animal rescuer in Dallas, Texas, I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful blog post! The folks who think that a breeder is the only way to go are spending waaaay too much $$$ and missing out on some INCREDIBLE animals! If your message sinks in to even ONE person you have done a wonderful service and saved another life. God bless you!
Maris (In Good Taste)
January 19, 2016 at 11:40 am (9 years ago)Yes, yes, yes, yes. Rescue x10000000. I have a rescue dog and it wasn’t until I adopted him that I realized how many sweet and loving companion dogs are dumped in shelters for the dumbest reason. If I could afford it and had the time, I would adopt five more.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
January 19, 2016 at 2:06 pm (9 years ago)We have 7 animals…3 dogs and 4 cats and 6 of them are rescues. I’m not supposed to be visiting the shelter, for obvious reasons…I can’t say no! We have rescued a number of dogs over the years, mostly older, and they have all been great dogs, who were grateful to have been given a second chance. I can even see a difference between our cats that were born in the shelter and adopted as kittens vs our cats that lived there a bit longer and were rescued out of other situations (one from a hoarding situation, and the other was left in a U Haul). Rescues are definitely the way to go! And, I love your shortbread toffee bar recipe too…yum!
Jessica - The Novice Chef
January 19, 2016 at 4:21 pm (9 years ago)Totally with you! We have 5 animals in our house and every one of them has been rescued as a stray or adopted. I was so excited to see Las Vegas pass the no pet shop rule!
Edmund
January 20, 2016 at 2:05 pm (9 years ago)I have adopted cats from rescue shelters for years. Everyone of them has been extremely lovable and wonderful.
Adopting a rescue animal saves the animal’s life and it also will extend yours.
Alex
January 21, 2016 at 9:38 pm (9 years ago)You know how when you’ve never heard a word before, it starts popping up everywhere? Or when you have a new experience and everyone suddenly starts talking about how they want to do it? That’s me and animal shelters.
Just a few weeks ago I adopted a pitbull from a shelter after thinking I’d never get a dog until I moved out of my parents’ house! But after a few weeks of convincing, mom was on board, and Ruby is currently snoozing (and snoring loudly, might I add) on my bed. We did a “foster to adopt” option, where she was supposed to live in our home for a week before we approved the go-ahead. It honestly only took 3 days for me to fall in love, and adopt her. Adoption was $130 – a friend paid about $600 for her dog from a breeder.
Ruby is super sweet, and super snuggly. She loves giving kisses, getting tummy rubs, and chewing! She loves to chew her toys and bully sticks, and has only chewed one of my personal items about 1.5 weeks into our journey. Not so bad, though. She’s only 2, but well house-trained, doesn’t bother us when we eat (no begging!), already knows “sit,” “no,” and “leave it,” and is overall a well-behaved girl. In fact, I just came down with a terrible stomach bug, throwing up and running to the bathroom every hour or so, and she’s been very intuitive and sweet about it not jumping on me and not trying to play since I am too ill at the moment. She does have a bit to learn- for example, her leash-walking, and “stay” skills can use some improvement. But she adjusted to her new name and new home very quickly.
Before my girl Rube, I’d never ever considered adopting one of those mean, aggressive pitbulls! But Ruby is anything but. She hardly barks except when someone’s at the door, she only “play bites” (as most dogs do, especially so young) and she’s never shown any behavior that made me feel threatened. She is truly the most loving, sweet girl I have ever met! Although she is considered an “undesirable” breed (mostly because media doesn’t portray her as long-haired, cuddly Golden Retriever or Lab) she is the love of my life, and I couldn’t imagine life without her! She certainly strong and energetic, but that’s not to be confused with aggressive.
Most shelters have all of their adoptable pets listed online, and the best way to find the pet for you is to use petfinder. I’m so glad to see a post combining my two favorite things- sweet treats, and sweet pets!
Lisa
January 23, 2016 at 9:02 am (9 years ago)Yes to the rescue pets! I’ve had 3 dogs in my adult life. Two from shelters and one that found me on the streets. I’ve loved each one of them. I think our last adoption fee was $70 and most vets will discount the spay/neuter fee if they know the pet is from a shelter or rescue.
Thanks for the recipe too!
Amy | Frugale.org
January 24, 2016 at 1:25 pm (9 years ago)When I was growing up in the country, my parents adopted 4 dogs that someone had just dropped off. They turned out to be the best dogs we ever had.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
January 24, 2016 at 6:59 pm (9 years ago)I 100% agree about adoption for both dogs and cats!
Angela
February 17, 2016 at 5:39 pm (9 years ago)I love shortbread with stuff on it – looking forward to trying yours!
I also love my three rescue dogs! The first two hound-mutts we got as tiny pups. Love them, wouldn’t trade them for the world, but would never get a puppy again! All that peeing, pooping and chewing!!! But they were and still are so sweet! The third dog is a pure-bred bloodhound. She’s gorgeous! Got her from American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue. Great group and a lovable dog. She was chained outside and used to breed puppies – probably one of those “affordable” breeders. She was underweight and had heartworm. ABTR got her fixed, paid to treat the heartworm, got her vaccines, and my adoption fee was a drop in the bucket. She’s a great dog; we all love her and can’t imagine not having her in our family.
I am so glad you are using this forum to promote dog rescue. My dogs love us without question – could not imagine if they had been euthanized.