Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

‘Tis the season for hot cocoa, snow falls & Christmas cards! One of my favorite things about being out on my own last year with my boyfriend and our little pup is that I could finally send out a cute little Christmas card to all of our friends and family as my family had never really been into the cheesy-custom made Christmas cards growing up. Last year, we sent out a cute family picture of the three of us to everyone, but this year due to some major procrastination and general lack of motivation to spend a ton of money, our Christmas cards are going to be simple cards I picked up at Home Goods and the one thing my friends will truly appreciate: photos of my dog.

Sometimes I wonder if I take the “dog mom” idea a little too far, but at the same time, how can you not when that adorable little face wakes you up every morning? If you’re a dog person, which I hope you are, you 100% need to take the time to read Dana Perino’s Let Me Tell You about Jasper…. I’ve been a political fan of Dana Perino for quite some time now, but this book hit me in a really soft part – no matter what side of the party lines you fall on, this book transcends them all (which is one of the major themes of the book, ironically.) I started and finished this book on our flight to Savannah, GA in September and it was quite a wild ride. I laughed, I cried and I desperately missed my puppy who was quickly becoming hundreds of miles away from me.

I’ve always appreciated my dogs, and Bear most of all, but the book just really makes you step back and understand how the relationship you build with your dog is unlike any other relationship you will ever build in your life – and no one but dog people will ever understand that. At the first job I had after college, one of my fellow dog lovers told me, “Everyone has ‘that dog’ – the one who changes your life and you’ll just never forget.” For me, that dog is Bear. He was the first dog that was really mine, that I was 100% (with the support of Zack) responsible for training, loving and keeping alive. More importantly than that, he was a scared little rescue dog who really made us work to win his love which just makes it even more valuable than I could have ever imagined. 

Every few weeks, Zack and I toss around the idea of bringing another little pup into our home to keep Bear company. We look at puppies, check out the local rescues, fall in love with one or two and then inevitably move on after asking ourselves: “What if he chews everything? Do we have time to house train him? He’s going to bark and upset the neighbors.” No way, we can’t do it. What it really comes down to? No dog will ever be Bear.

Bear came to us at 5 months old – sure, he was scared, he wouldn’t leave the kitchen corner for the first 6 weeks we had him and he pooped when he met someone new – but he was house-trained in less than 2 weeks, has only barked 5 times in his life, roams freely without his leash and never runs away – unless he’s running back home. How could any dog ever compare to those standards?

Long story short – I don’t think Bear will be getting a new brother anytime soon, but we’re more than happy to spoil him relentlessly and bless our friends with adorable photos of him playing in the snow, standing by the tree and being the best darn fur child we could ever ask for. So, in the spirit of loving your little pup, whip up some peppermint brownies, curl up on the couch and enjoy the holiday season!