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    Home » Pups

    Chicken, Barley and Veggies for Dogs

    Mar 27, 2021 · 4 Comments

    A tribute to time, love, carbs, and veggies.

    chicken, barley, carrots, and green beans for dogs
    chicken barley veggies for dogs

    It was hard going through my photos to post this recipe. I had to stop and cry a while, just sitting and letting myself feel the ache created by a void infinitely larger than the 50 pounds of space it once occupied.

    We lost our Andy Bobby to cancer on November 9, 2020. The heartbreak was crushing. Anyone who has lost a dear, sweet furry family member knows. Even when you see the closing of your time together on the horizon, it's impossible to be prepared for the loss.

    love at first sight

    Andy was the puppy I just had to have.

    sitting black and white puppy with brown eyebrows
    Andy Puppy, February 2006.

    Doug and I were shopping for suits for him, and a shelter had some dogs at the mall for the afternoon. They were packing up for the day when I saw him. I will always remember him rooting around in a potato chip bag that he found on the floor, his little puppy hind end sticking out, as the staff members were gathering their things and the dogs.

    The shelter only permitted adoptions from their facility, and they would be closing soon after they got back from the mall event. I didn't have much time to convince Doug that we HAD to go find the shelter and get that puppy.

    fast talker

    I never talked so fast in my life. We were standing in the mall parking lot, ready to leave as I was pleading my case. Doug asked, incredulously, "Kim. FOUR dogs?!?!" I said, "Yes, but the others are older and all in their routines. It's just one puppy, and he'll learn from them. I can go home every day at lunch to let him out. He can be with you and Dougie every other weekend. Eleven is a good age for a boy to have a dog. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE!"

    I used all the ammo I had, shamelessly playing the boy card. Doug reluctantly caved, and we were off to find a shelter we had never heard of, out in the country, forty minutes away. It was a crazy goose chase with no mapping and limited Internet, but we did it!

    a few things about andy bobby

    • We called him Andy Puppy until we saw "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby". He became Andy Bobby before the film credits finished, and the name stuck his entire life.
    • Andy Bobby was very sweet boy and a particularly talented stare-er. He loved to ride shotgun and hold hands while I drove, gazing at me with his adoring soft brown eyes and making me feel like the most perfect, beautiful driver ever.
    • Early each morning he would wake Doug, and they would head downstairs to sit on the sofa and meditate together.
    • He enjoyed taking a morning walk around the perimeter of the yard with his Basset Hound sister, Paisley. He also loved playing with Paisley in the living room, but he would stop as soon as he realized he was being watched.
    • Andy Bobby acted like a ferocious yard guard, but he didn't have an aggressive bone in his body. He shied away from confrontation and had a heart of gold.
    • Andy Bobby was afraid of super windy weather. Twice on really windy days, I opened my eyes while showering to find him sitting in there with me.
    • Andy Bobby was wild about carbohydrates and loved vegetables. And that is why this recipe was created. It's a nice alternative to our Chicken & Rice for Dogs recipe as a way to supplement your pup's meals.

    I will always be grateful that we somehow found that shelter and adopted Andy. It was fate, and we got to spend nearly fifteen years with him. My heart dog. As I would often tell him, "There's no one like you, Andy Bobby. No one."

    Everyone thinks they have the best dog.
    And none of them is wrong.

    black and white dog lying in front of andy warhol-like painting of dog
    black and white dog wearing red and green headband with antlers
    wet black and white dog with brown eyebrows in bathtub
    old black and white dog with brown eyebrows being hugged by his human mom
    coaster that says "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
    sitting black and white dog with brown eyes
    chicken, barley, carrots, and green beans for dogs

    Chicken, Barley & Veggies for Dogs

    4.20 from 5 votes
    Print Rate

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup pearl barley
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 pound BONELESS chicken breast fresh or frozen; NEVER give chicken bones to dogs!
    • 3 carrots quartered lengthwise, then sliced; See notes below for safe veggies for dogs.
    • 1 cup green beans fresh or frozen; See notes below for safe veggies for dogs.

    Instructions

    • Bring water to boil over medium-high heat.
    • Stir in rice. Place chicken breast and vegetables on top.
    • Cover and simmer on low for 25 minutes or just until barley has absorbed all the water.
    • Using kitchen/poultry shears, cut chicken and vegetables into small pieces. Stir to combine.
    • Place in container and create a hole in the middle; refrigerate for four hours then cover. (This step is for food safety, so it cools adequately before covering.) Keep refrigerated; good for seven days.
    • Add two tablespoons of barley, chicken & veggies mixture to each cup of your dog's kibble at meal times. We always add a little warm water to lightly moisten as well. Stir and watch them enjoy! A-rooo!

    Notes

    Make sure that the vegetable(s) you add are good for dogs.  Broccoli, squash, carrots, green beans & peas are all good for dogs.  Garlic, onions, grapes, and raisins are NOT good for dogs.
    This recipe supplements breakfast and dinner for four dogs (50-70 pounds each) for about a week.  Scale to make the amount appropriate to last about a week for your dog(s).

    Equipment

    Mercer Culinary Yellow Millennia Colors Handle, 7-Inch
    Santoku Chef's Knife, 7 in
    yellow santoku knife
    San Jamar Saf-T-Grip Plastic Cutting Board with Safety Hook, 12" x 18" x 0.5", Yellow
    Non-slip Cutting Board, Yellow", Yellow
    18x12 yellow cutting board
    Bob's Red Mill Pearl Barley, 30 Oz
    Bob's Red Mill Pearl Barley, 30 oz
    pearl barley
    Tablecraft Set of 3 Heavyweight Steel Extra Large Measuring Spoons [Set of 3]
    XL Measuring Spoons, Set of 3
    xl measuring spoons
    RSVP International Endurance Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 7 | ⅛ Cup to 1 Cup Measurements | Nest for Easy Storage | Dishwasher Safe | Dry or Liquid | Baking or Cooking
    Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
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    Pyrex Meal Prep Simply Store Glass Rectangular and Round Food Container Set (18-Piece, BPA-free), Multicolor
    Pyrex Food Container Set
    pyrex storage containers
    Fiesta Large 1 Qt. Dog Bowl | Scatter Print Dog Paws
    Fiesta Dog Bowl, 1 qt
    fiesta dog print bowl, 1 qt

    As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Yappy Kitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle says

      June 01, 2023 at 8:21 pm

      4 stars
      I am making their food now and storing in freezer for my new pups coming in a few days! I think they will love it!

      Reply
      • Yappy Kitchen says

        June 05, 2023 at 8:18 am

        That's great, Michelle! Definitely come back and let us know more. Thank you for commenting and enjoy your day! 🐶❤️☀️

        Reply
    2. Shawnee says

      August 12, 2022 at 12:43 am

      4 stars
      Appreciate this post. Will try it out.

      Reply
      • Yappy Kitchen says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:58 pm

        Thanks, Shawnee! Let us know how it goes for you. Enjoy your day! ☀️

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kim! I was a personal chef and custom caterer for many years. I retired from being a business owner, but I still love to make food for people and dogs. Here I can share the best recipes with you, and we can yap about stuff.

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