Fur firefighters, extra spice, and a recipe

Proud Parent

Bark to Brave: National Fire Pup Day

As we slide into October soon, recognize that there is a special day on October 1^st each year where we celebrate our four-legged firefighters. National Fire Pup Day is dedicated to the original firehouse mascots who made their mark, not with a hose, but with a bark! Let's jump in the time machine - this includes Dalmatians because, as it turns out, these dapper dogs had a knack for hanging out with horses back in the day when fire trucks were horse-drawn. These spotty babes would run alongside the carriages, clearing the way and keeping the horses calm amidst the chaos. Think of them as the original sirens - minus the noise pollution. And, when the fire was out, they’d curl up with the horses in the stable, proving that even back then, they knew the importance of a good cuddle. Adorable, right?

Fast forward to today, and while fire trucks no longer need canine escorts (or horses, for that matter), fire pups still play a vital role. Now, they serve as mascots, morale boosters, and educators in firehouses across the country. They're the friendly faces at school fire safety events, reminding kids that "stop, drop, and roll" isn’t just a fun game, but an essential safety skill. And let’s be honest, if a dog told you to check your smoke detectors, you’d probably do it, right?

Now that we're done with the time machine, today’s fire pups come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds. From Golden Retrievers spreading cheer to German Shepherds assisting with search and rescue missions, these dogs prove that heroes wear fur. They might not be wielding an ax or sliding down a pole (although that would be quite the trick!), but they’re still on the front lines of community service.

So on October 1^st , raise a paw to the fire pups—past, present, and future. Whether they’re Dalmatians, Labradors, or mixed breeds, these dogs have found a way to make the world a safer and more snuggly place. My dog is great at warning me when something seems off, including smoke or smells. He's a tiny hero as well and then, inevitably, he reminds me that every hero deserves belly rubs.

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Dog Safety For Children

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Culture 

Spice Up Your Fall Beyond Pumpkin Lattes

It's time to fall for fall (yes, I went there). This doesn't just have to mean apple picking, pumpkin patching, and your annual flirtation with pumpkin spice everything (although, you are likely on your way to get a latte now, so sip and open your mind), Get bold and have some bizarre fun. Fall is the season of transformation so let's transform your mind a bit too to get a bit silly and think outside the box.

1. Pumpkin Palooza: No-Carve Chaos

Want to keep that pumpkin plump and perfect? Or maybe you just prefer that nobody in your house use a knife and go to town for hours? Well, host a “Pumpkin Palooza” where carving is strictly prohibited. Only “non-invasive” pumpkin surgery is allowed. Try an assortment of paint, stickers, feathers, yarn, glitter, or even chic tiny pumpkin outfits—think “Project Pumpkin Runway.”  Casually invite your most judgmental friends over to be judges and have categories like “Best Dressed Pumpkin,” “Most Likely to Get Squashed in High School,” (leave my name out of that one, would ya) and “Pumpkin with the Best Bumpkin.” Winner gets the Golden Gourd Trophy (a bedazzled mini pumpkin on a pedestal - who wouldn’t want that).

2. Leaf Sommelier: The New Snobbery

Instead of fancy wine sommeliers, leaf sommeliers are in. Organize a "Leaf Tasting" event where you rate and review leaves with all the seriousness of a food critic on a Michelin tour. Swirl the leaf in your hand, take a deep inhale, inspect it from different angles, and declare, “Ah, yes. Notes of bark and a smooth finish of damp ground with a hint of... squirrel?” Ok, this one is getting a little out there but, to keep with the theme, hand out laminated awards like Leaf of the Year that nobody wants or asks for. I guess make sure there is a garbage can on their way out. 

3. Philosophical Haunted Walkway

Haunted houses are so 2023, aren't they? Enter the “Philosophical Haunted Walkway,” where the only thing scarier than ghosts is your mind and those deep, existential questions. Line the path with eerie decor and hidden speakers whispering things like, “What if life is just one big crazy corn maze?” or “If a leaf falls in a forest and no one’s around to Instagram it, does it really matter?” To really spook your guests, hand out mirrors at the end and tell them to look deep within. The horror! Have them commit to coming to the next party because there is a chance they might not after this one.

4. Gourmet S’mores Deathmatch

The pressure is on for a s’mores showdown so fiery that it will put the “Great British Bake Off” to shame. Line up a s’mores bar for your goblin guests with ingredients like ginger snaps (ok, yum), bacon, matcha-flavored marshmallows (is this a thing?), and whatever else you can grab from your cupboard. The goal is to craft the most avant-garde s’mores possible. Score each delicious work of art on “Originality,” “Flavor,” and “Likelihood to Attract Bears.” Have a trophy ready for the Golden Graham Guru. What an honor.

Not to brag, but I've been a little strange since I was an embryo. I clearly have the upper hand here but am sharing my ideas so you too can be strange and unusual this season. Spook yourself and spook it up some. Enjoy, my little pretties....

Annoyance, hope you’re not in a hurry, and a new command

I’m busy: Please go away
What floor: I suggest another elevator
I got this: Act normal!

Feast On This

Fake It Til You Bake It

Picture it, Sicily, 19--... just kidding. But picture it for your kitchen in the next few hours. You've got guests coming over in an hour and you promised a homemade dessert but now you're in a pickle. After binging on tv shows, you look at the time and stare at your kitchen because surely it's filled with the ingredients of a thousand Pinterest dreams. Right? But ya know, that tv show is just too good... you don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. So fake it til you bake it because the holy grail of lazy baking is upon you - a fabulous dump cake. And in this case, it is a delicious Apple Caramel Spice Dump Cake for the fall flair. 

Ingredients: Your Secret to Seeming Fancy with Zero Effort

• Cooking Spray: The unsung hero that prevents desserts from welding themselves to your grandma’s baking dish. Yes, please.

• 2 (21 ounce) cans of apple pie filling: Who has time to peel apples? Leave that for the overachievers.

• ½ cup caramel sauce: The sticky glue that binds our souls and desserts. Go ahead, pour it like you’re a chocolatier at a theme park.

• 1 (15.25 ounce) package of spice cake mix: The key ingredient that makes people think you know what "cardamom" is without you having to prove it. Ummm....

• 1 cup salted butter, melted: Embrace the calories. You only live once, and that life is better with butter (or at least for this cake). Don't tell your doctor I said that (or my doctor!).

• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts: For that added crunch and a dash of sophistication. "Oh, these? Just some rustic, hand-chopped walnuts."

Directions: The Shortcut Symphony

1. Preheat to Party Time: Crank that oven up to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This is where the magic starts. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray as if your future happiness depends on it—because let’s be honest, it kind of does.

2. The Dump ‘n’ Spread: Open those cans of apple pie filling like they hold the secrets of the universe (or at least a decent dessert). Dump them in an even layer across the pan. It’s okay if they clump up a bit; we’re not in a baking competition… yet.

3. Drizzle Drama: Now, grab that caramel sauce and drizzle with wild abandon over the apples. The more it looks like a caramel crime scene, the better.

4. Sprinkle with Reckless Abandon: Next up, the spice cake mix. Sprinkle that goodness all over the apple-caramel creation like you’re throwing confetti at the world’s sweetest parade. No need to mix it in—this is a "set it and forget it" situation.

5. The Butter Bath: Melt your butter and pour it evenly over the top. This is what’s going to turn your dump cake into a glorious, golden-brown masterpiece. Think of it as giving your cake a spa treatment—hot stone massage included.

6. Top it Off with Nuts: Sprinkle the walnuts on top. Think of them as nature’s sprinkles—fancy, crunchy, and pretending to be healthy.

7. Bake Until Bliss: Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Grab a glass of wine, congratulate yourself on being the culinary genius you are, and wait for the smell of fall to fill your home. It’s done when the top is golden brown and the filling starts to bubble up like it’s in the world’s most delicious jacuzzi.

8. Cool (Or Don’t, We’re Not Judging): Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes. I mean, you could let it cool completely, but who are we kidding? Serve it warm, cold, or straight out of the pan with a spoon when no one’s looking. It’s all good.

And there you have it—the dessert that’ll make you look like a Martha Stewart protégé without requiring the kitchen skills of one. The Apple Caramel Spice Dump Cake is easy, quick, and—most importantly—yummy. It’s perfect for lazy bakers, overworked hosts, or anyone who believes that life is too short to make pie crust from scratch. So, the next time you’re in a bind and need to impress, remember: Just dump, drizzle, bake, and wait for the compliments to roll in.  Bon appétit, you clever baker, you.

We LOVE Halloween!

The costumes, special treats, and of course everything that glows in the dark make fabulous parties in the evening.

Pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apples, and cider make the days equally fun. This is the time of year when we test our dogs’ patience with those costumes and photos so treats and toys are included for motivation.

We spent the past few weeks evaluating over 10,000 items on Amazon to find the coolest Halloween stuff this year. To save you from having to spend that much time, we compiled our absolute favorites in a free Halloween eCatalog.

It’s crazy that some items are already selling out of inventory so if you love Halloween as much as we do, now is a good time to browse for something new.

Happy Halloween 

Chuckle

Espresso Boarding

Does travel make you happy?

We love to travel and have so many happy memories. We share our hard-earned wisdom along with tips from pros in a newsletter called Espresso Boarding.

Our focus next week is Provence, France which is home to lavender, Van Gogh, and charming villages.
Experience the beauty of travel without drama.
Sign up now! One per person.

The fib is C. A single teaspoon of honey represents the lifetime work of 12 bees. Bees collectively fly about 55,000 miles and visit 2 million flowers to produce just one pound of honey.

What did you think of this week's Fido Fly newsletter?
Your feedback helps us to create exactly what you want.

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up to receive your own weekly copy. It’s free to subscribe.

Looking for previous editions of Fido Fly? They are all safely stored here.