• 🏅 Meet Wild Thang, the winner of a special prize

• 🐕 Some fun facts about the Pekingese breed

• 🫐 Make your dog some blueberry muffins

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

Did you know…?

When Pekingese could only be owned by royalty, what was the penalty for those who stole one?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Each year, the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California holds the World’s Ugliest Dog contest. It’s a fun and light-hearted way for people to showcase their special pups that might have a few unique characteristics. These pups are so loved, so it’s just a silly competition, but the winner takes home a cash prize.

This year, an eight-year-old Pekingese from Oregon won the top prize. His name is Wild Thang and he’s got some unruly fur and a tongue that just won’t stay in his mouth. But this unique look captured the hearts of many and won Wild Thang and his owner a $5,000 check.

Wild Thang is a fan favorite and has competed for multiple years. He’s come in second place three times, but this was his first championship. It’s amazing that he’s doing his part to help raise awareness for adoptions and rescues at the fair. Congrats Wild Thang!

The Pekingese is a toy dog breed whose origins are in ancient Chinese royalty. At full size, they are between six and nine inches tall and weigh up to 14 pounds. These little pups have a thick double coat that can be black and tan, white, cream, and gray. Even though these dogs are small, they are incredibly courageous. With outgoing personalities, these pups are typically friendly, social, and very affectionate towards humans.

Legend says that Buddha created the Pekingese by shrinking a lion to its current small size. Royalty often carried the dogs around in their oversized sleeves for an extra layer of protection and companionship. The dogs are referred to as “lion dogs” or “sleeve dogs.”

Today, Pekingese are a popular breed. Because of their double coats, they prefer cooler climates. This also means they require quite a bit of maintenance, with weekly brushing and bathing. If you are searching for an adorable lapdog (or maybe one that has some unique features like Wild Thang), Pekingese might be the perfect toy breed for you.

We all love to treat ourselves to some baked goods every once in a while, so why not do the same for our dogs? If you’ve been wondering what is safe to share with your dog, we’ve got a great recipe for you today.

Blueberry Pup Muffins

You’ll need: one cup of rolled oats, one cup of whole wheat flour, two eggs separated, ½ cup of unsweetened natural applesauce (no sugar added), two tablespoons of water, and one cup of blueberries

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin pan with olive oil.

2. Combine the oats and flour into a bowl. Stir in the egg yolks, applesauce, and water. Once combined, gently stir in the blueberries.

3. Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Spoon the mixture into the muffin pan.

4. Bake for 25 minutes until the batter has set and lightly browned.

5. Let the muffins cool on a rack before giving one to your pup. They can be stored in an airtight container for a few weeks.

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: Anyone who stole a Pekingese from Chinese royalty would be put to death.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

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