I didn’t think anything could make me feel better.
But reading the comments on yesterday’s post did make me smile.
Well, some of them made me cry, but in a constructive way; sometimes it’s good to cry. I was so incredibly moved by your outpouring of kindness and support. Reading the heartfelt comments, tweets, emails, and facebook messages helped so much. The “Rainbow Bridge” poem (left by two commenters) especially made me cry. In a perfect world, none of us would have to go through this, and I felt so sad reading your personal stories… but at the same time, they made me happy, because it means other pets have brought similar amounts of love and joy to you as Molly did to me.
Tomorrow, I’ll get back to posting recipes (next up: healthy chocolate cupcakes). Hopefully blogging will help distract me from all of this pain and sadness I still feel. For today, though, I thought I’d do one more tribute post to Molly. Goodness knows, she deserves a million.
Molly’s Choices
Obviously, I didn’t really feed Molly any of the following recipes.
But each centers around ingredients Molly adored—zucchini (in the cream pie), peanut butter, pumpkin, and especially raw carrots. You won’t find any chocolate on this page (chocolate is bad for dogs), although Molly probably would’ve eaten it if we’d given her some. She wasn’t one to turn down food… she even ate kale stems!
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
Once again, Molly didn’t eat these recipes, but she loved the ingredients around which they center. Did you know oatmeal is good for dogs? It’s true; Molly even had oatmeal shampoo!
Above, Molly checks out a cauliflower the size of her head. She really did love her veggies.
Then again…
If I wanted to really be true with this list, I’d also have to include: dried worms, dead grass, milkbones, crickets and red ants. (Actually, Molly only ate red ants and crickets as a puppy. After the ant incident, when we took her to the vet, she was diagnosed with the professional term of “Junk Belly.”) Molly was the real foodie in the house; she’d try anything! 
What are your pets’ favorite foods?
And do they ever eat anything strange? Or have you ever eaten anything strange?
When my grandma came, she’d try to sneak Molly all sorts of things like pretzels and omelets. But other than a few pieces of veggies every now and then, Molly mostly stuck to dog food… and those dried worms on the sidewalk (we tried to keep her away). I still don’t know why she liked them! As for me, I swallowed a penny once, when I was two. Oops.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I must have missed yesterday’s post, but I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful little homage to her, though.
I’ve never had pets (allergies) but the dog next door used to eat EVERYTHING. I remember at our annual 4th of July parties she would be eating chips and drinking beer (fed to her of course, lol).
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) says
I missed the post yesterday. Katie, my friend, I am truly sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I know this is hard as we lost our little girl two years ago and still hurt from it. knowing that your pup is in a better place (even if you miss such a great companion) is hard, but hopefully eases some of the pain. I am sending my love, hugs and thoughts all your way!
Emily says
Our pup eats sugar snap peas… She’s an oddball! As for me, now that I think about it a lot of what I eat would be considered strange to my friends but completely normal in the foodie blog world: nooch, chia seeds, cashew cream etc. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything that wasn’t food but I once stuck a coffee bean up my nose… That was an experience to say the least.
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says
can i just say that Molly was one smart dog!? she picked the BEST THINGS!! my dog loves PEANUT BUTTER! and I always give him my jar to lick clean when i finish one.. which is like once a week- he sure is lucky!
Kate says
I am so sorry about your puppy I know how it feels to lose a pet they are irreplaceable but I always try to think of all the joy they brought into my life. The recipes look delish and I love the picture of her with cauliflower 🙂 hope you have a beautiful blessed day!
Lauren says
So sorry about Molly. Dogs are definitely family. It’s sad when they die, but it’s also hard to see them hurt. I know that was a hard decision to make. I’m sure Molly is in heaven hiding in and out of the clouds and watching you.
We have 2 dogs. They like to hunt ‘woodland creatures’. Rabbits, moles, voles, birds. Our bigger dog, Dixie, thinks she can get the ‘big metal birds’ (airplanes) out of the sky…I think that’s pretty strange, lol. 🙂 Our other dog, a hound named Copper, likes to hang out around our 2 year old hoping he drops his meals and snacks. She’s eaten Gerber puffs, and other baby and toddler food. 🙂
Hela says
aw, that was a super sweet post about Molly! I would love to hear some more stories about her.
My guinea-pig LOVED chocolate, mashed potatoes, watermelon and oranges. She also adored peanuts 😉 Once, a bar of chocolate was laying on the floor in my room, where she would run around, and she ate her way through the packaging to get to the chocolate!!! And she wouldn´t let go when I tried to take it away from her… She really had an extraordinary taste in food. But of course, we would feed her grass, hay, veggies and pet food and NOT giving in to her desires 😉
Megan@eatmybeets says
Wow! My dog (now deceased) would never ever touch vegetables. haha If a little bit got into her bowl with other leftovers, there it would stay until we cleaned it out.
Karla says
Dear Katie, I am so sorry for your loss. Your sweet puppy was lucky to have such a great family that loved her so much!
My new puppy maeby really loves veggies too! Carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes. She likes veggies more than my boyfriend!!!
Jenny says
I wish I could have commented yesterday. I’m going to echo Karla: I’m so, so, from the bottom of my heart, sorry for your loss. I didn’t have the fortune of knowing your dog, your pet, but above all your friend – just as I don’t have the fortune of knowing you, personally – but I’d bet anything that you’re right: Molly deserves a dedication a million times over.
My family’s pet was put to sleep two years ago, so I can relate to your loss. I am amazed at your strength to even share it with the world, and to do anything but cry. I still have to say, though, that if you were to take a break from blogging in any case, I’d like to believe that NO ONE would hold it against you. All I did for several days after my dog’s death was mope around all blotchy faced… I have great respect for you and your ability to write such wonderful dedications to Molly. This was also a lovely post. You were both so lucky to have each other. 🙂
I’ll admit that my dog wasn’t a vegetarian, haha, and his favourite food was probably chicken… He loved carrots and sweet potatoes, as well, but hated grapes. (I’m not sure, but I don’t think they’re good for dogs anyway…?) My mom made all his meals and believed that he should eat like we do! … Minus a few obvious things, of course (like chocolate).
Lilly says
My dog, Buddy, used to adore carrots so much! He was also gluten free haha his skin turned pink and got all itchy if he ate gluten. Since we was white, when he got a reaction you could def see it – a pink looking pitbull was a pretty funny sight 🙂
Ragnhild says
My dog used to LOVE raw carrots too. When we where chopping them for dinner or whatever, he always came to the kitchen when he heard that sound, even when he was sleeping! He was so cute!
I love that even after he died, I have all these wonderful memories with him! I think of him everyday, and it always puts a smaile on my face!
Jane Plaass says
I have no pets now, but we did while I was growing up. Our dog loved to crunch on dried pasta. Our geese liked to eat cooked spaghetti. They would toss in the air and catch it on the way down. And I’ve seen a neighborhood cat eat corn on the cob out of the compost bin!
Jennifer JCD says
Another lovely tribute post. Take it easy, Katie. Molly will always be a happy memory. 🙂
We don’t have dogs, but one of our cats LOVES chickpeas. To the point of jumping up on our laps or the table and stealing them off our spoon when we are trying to eat them. He’s kind of like Molly though – he’ll eat anything it seems – but we think chickpeas must be his favourite.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Glad you are able to crack smile. Every day will get easier, sweetie!
everyday oats says
I’m so sorry to hear about Molly 🙁 Please try to remember all the great times you had with her!
I used to have a lovebird that was the sweetest thing and literally thought he was a human being. He liked to sit with us at dinner under one of our dining chairs that had a perch and he loved sitting on our shoulders when we watched tv. And he loved chili peppers! It was so interesting how the spicy-ness didn’t affect him at all.
Take care, Katie!!
Lissy says
For our wedding favors, we filled little jars full of purple and silver hershey kisses. Well, shortly after Princess’ surgery, I heard a noise coming from my bedroom. Princess was standing on a chair and had her head in the bag of kisses eating them, foil and all. She must have ate like a quarter of the bag. My parents called the vet and they just laughed. She’s a big dog, so she could eat quite a lot of chocolate before it hurt her.
She also at my bottle of prescription vitamins when we were both little 😀
Buffy ate quite a bit of a tennis ball once. We wouldn’t have known except there was an ick factor after…
Lenna says
My three cats love cucumbers and watermelons. They are actually able to eat a whole melon in one sitting! 🙂 Molly with the cauliflower is so cute. Hope you are well girl!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
Have I ever eaten anything strange? Well some would consider a vegan GF soyfree all raw diet strange 🙂 And no, I am not strictly any of those things anymore, but at one time I was, and yep, people thought that was strange but I didnt! At the time, they were the right choices for me, but life is always changing and so are my food choices.
Chia seeds, nooch, dulse flakes, gogi berries…strange to some, common to others 🙂
And again, my extreme condolences and sympathy about Molly.
xoxox
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
Molly liked peanut butter, pumpkin and veggies?! A dog after my own heart! Although maybe not the dried worms and stuff…! 😛
My doggie LOVES salad!! Whenever Buddy even hears me getting out the chopping board he comes running haha! So I guess he and Molly were soul mates 🙂
Love you Katie! Sending prayers and hugs and love your way <3 <3 <3
Jennifer@ knackfornutrition says
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog, Molly. I lost my dog, Noodles (a huge german shepard) when I was a senior in high school and I was absolutely broken by the events.
Currently, I have 2 german shepards, Boomer and Sheba. Since I am a vegetarian they normally turn up their snouts at my food, but recently I figured out that Boomer loves carrots and Sheba will eat frozen broccoli! Strange but true!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Molly sure was a fancy eater — bugs and such? Yikes. 🙂
Have I ever eaten anything strange? I think nutritional yeast is pretty strange and I eat that!
McKayla @ Green Groats says
Hi Katie,
I’m so sorry about your loss. I know how hard losing a dog can be 🙁
This is a wonderful tribute to Molly! It reminded me of how my dog, Sandy, used to LOVE eating our apple cores. Whenever we bit into an apple, she would come running over waiting for us to finish our apples, so she could enjoy the core. Later, we learned apple cores are not so good for dogs…oh well! Now, I eat my own apple cores even if the arsenic from the seeds probably isn’t too good for humans either…haha.
Take care 🙂
Tori (Fresh Fruition) says
I’m so sorry about Molly.
My dogs will pretty much try anything. Occasionally they’ll start to eat something, but then they’ll spit it out and stare at it for a while. Its more of a rare occasion to see that!
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe says
I have a cat with a butter addiction. I once left a stick on the counter to come to room temperature and he snatched it! I had to pry it from his hands and feet as he curled himself around it and snarled. That cat is weird.
s says
haha! my cat drinks carrot juice … i think that is weird.
Katie says
Oh, Katie! I’m so sorry!! I know how sad it is to lose a pet – I treat mine like family members, so it’s just a devastating loss. Hang in there – you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Our pup used to eat EVERYTHING that wasn’t nailed down – apples, broccoli, bread crusts – but she once got a hold of a raw steak that made her sooo sick, now she’s a little more picky with what she eats. 🙂
Ellie@fitforthesoul says
awww hehe so glad you have such cute and fun memories of Molly~she’s adorable! 😀
Err You may or may not barf if I tell you, but according to my family–I ate roaches when I was a baby. 0_0
Freya says
Awh I’m glad you’re feeling marginally better, and what a cute way to remember Molly!
My horse LOVES bread. SOOO much, and any type – stale, soft, buns, sliced, white, brown..she lives for the stuff.
Eleanor@eatinglikeahorse says
Bless Molly, she was so cute and it’s lovely that you can share the good memories of her, including the dried worms!
My mum’s dogs nicked a packet of three avocadoes off the table the other day and ate the lot between the two of them 🙂
I also had a horse once who loved chips and Dave, the horse I’ve got now, loves cold tea..
Really hope you and your family, including Henry, are ok xx
Emily says
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and I just caught up and read the terribly sad news — I’m so sorry for your loss 🙁 Losing a pet is harder than anything in the world and you deserve and are allowed to grieve for as long as you need to! We are all here for support and I hope you start to feel better soon!
My dog *loves* to eat grass, but she is definitely an unusual eater. She eats meat like most dogs happily, but what she really loves are vegetables! She absolutely adores all veggies, especially green beans and broccoli and is always eager to eat the few leftover pieces as a treat after dinner 🙂
brittany says
My pup, Patton, adores veggies and fruit, as well! His favorites are sweet potatoes and bananas , but he also loves collard greens, spinach, carrots, and especially red peppers!
Suboxone Doctors says
These desserts look delicious and want to make one when I get home
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I’m really sorry to hear about Molly, Katie. 🙁 I know it’s hard to mend a broken heart, especially when it comes to animals. I get really, really attached to them so I truly am sorry for what had happened. But, I’m sure she’s looking down on you and still sniffing those bags of cauliflower up inv heaven. 🙂
Rachel says
My dog adores both dried worms and kale stems! So sorry for your loss Katie.
Albizia says
My dog is a crazy little buddy. He eats a lot of things other dogs wouldn’t touch. He loves meat, of course but in the summer he begs for all kinds of fruit. He loves peaches, apricots, grapes, watermelon, cherries… He also loves grilled sandwiches, soup and cat food 😛 . And one of the stupidest things he has ever done is eating a bunch of caramels from the coffee table directly with the wrappers. What goes in, comes out…
As for me… Please, don’t laugh. I was a very curious kid and once I tried Play-Doh completely ignoring the “Do not eat” label. It wasn’t bad at all 😀 .
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
My bird loves spinach! We’re trying to expand his diet, but he loves spinach just like me 🙂
Molly says
Katie, I am so happy that “The Rainbow Bridge” poem could offer you some comfort! It gets better, I promise.
Emilia says
I’m SOOOOO sorry about your poor doggy leaving, Katie! Thinking of you and sending you best wishes during this tough time 🙂
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy Girl" says
What a precious post! I often thought my dog didn’t have any discerning tastes. He did love peanut butter though. He would’ve loved those peanut butter balls for sure 🙂
Megan says
My dog Hermione loves raw carrots, green beans, and cheese! And ice cubes, although that’s not technically a food. I am sorry about Molly! I had a dog die when I was in middle school and I was heart-broken…I still have a box of her things up in my closet! I made a little book about her too. Dogs CAN bring so much joy to our lives! They really feel for us and know when we just need companionship and when we need to laugh. I hope that you are doing okay and know that I will pray that you will find peace during this time!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
This is so sweet Katie! I love that you took the time to do this for your pup! 🙂
My dog looooves carrots and apples more than anything else out there. She will come running from anywhere in the house if she hears me cutting them up! It is so funny!
melissa @ the delicate place says
you’re in my thoughts! sad to hear about molly :/ she lived a long happy life with people who adored her!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
My charlie loves everything Molly did! He especially loves peanut butter – but then again, he also eats mulch!
Katherine says
My dogs would eat absolutely another.
Stephanie @ StephSnacks says
It seems your spirits are a bit lifted, and I am so glad. Only time will be able to heal you, even though you will never forget your precious Molly! My doggies love to eat bananas – they seriously look forward to having a bite!
BroccoliHut says
I haven’t given Margot anything but her puppy chow yet, but my other dogs certainly have lots of favorites. Chester LOVES peanut butter, and my sister’s pug Gus goes crazy for carrots.
megan @ the oatmeal diaries says
Hi Katie! I just wanted to say I am SO sorry for your loss. My dog (a golden retriever) is getting old and it breaks my heart just THINKING about her not being around anymore. Stay strong!
P.S. Definitely making those pb balls STAT. 🙂
Misty says
So sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful girl. I have 2 mixed breeds and they are both strange 🙂 My boy Sid he loves bananas and most fruit but turns his nose up to any veggies unless they are cooked. My girl Muttley she sits next to me when I am chopping veggies and eats the ends of whatever I happen to be cutting up, squash, cucumbers, celery, carrots, anything! I love it because then I have no waste but my compost heap suffers 🙂 They are my best friends and have been there for me through a lot. I hope you find comfort in her memories.
Stephanie says
My springer spaniel, Jerry (yep, Jerry Springer) has pica so he eats EVERYTHING. Rocks are his favourite. The first year we had him, he had two surgeries within five weeks of each other to remove rocks, chunks of brick, pieces of plastic watering can, and wads of packing tape from his stomach. Most of his teeth are chipped from chewing on rocks. Over the years he’s eaten my favourite shoes (not just chewed them up, but swallowed the pieces), two pairs of glasses, countless pairs of underwear, several pyjama pants, at least a dozen pairs of leather gloves, hair elastics, tennis balls, used tissues, tools from workmen, you name it. Every morning we wake up and check to see who won the epic battle of wills, Jerry or Charles Darwin. So far, Jerry’s winning. Our boy’s been like this since we adopted him at 3.5 years old and he’s 8 now – love him to pieces and I tell him every day that he’s my favourite son.
As for me – I love my chocolate pudding based on avocadoes and my absolute favourite is sugar pie. Nothing comes close to its divinity!
qq:) says
if i want substitute raw cashew with grounded almond powder, how much should i add to the pitted dates to make my own raw vegan larabars?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’d probably do an equal exchange. So if you use 30 grams cashews, sub in 30 grams almond flour.
Jess says
My cat eats chickpeas and corn kernels 🙂
Eric Jaffa says
Did you watch Matthew Perry’s show “Mr. Sunshine”?
It was canceled:
http://www.tvsquad.com/2011/05/16/canceled-tv-shows-2011
Kristen @ The Red Velvet Life says
Hi, Katie! I know I’m late in doing so, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss of adorable Molly — she looks like such a sweetheart. It sounds like she ate very well and was treated like a princess. 🙂 We lost our mini schnauzer, Pepper, a number of years back and it was the only time in my life I have EVER heard my father cry. Now our other mini schnauzer, Misha, is upwards of 16 years and declining in health…it breaks my heart. So hard to watch. Thanks for sharing what’s going on in your life, Katie. Prayers and love.
Nicole @ Of Cookies and Carrots says
My dogs (and my mom) are obsesssssed with teh dog treat recipe I posted on Saturday… peanut butter dog treats! haha. they’re generally obsessed with peanut butter though 😉
this was a beautiful way to remember Molly via some of her favorite food-things, coz dogs are soooo into that! 😉
sending hugs your way
<3
n
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Smart doggies! I would say that everyone likes pb… but I actually met a lady today who doesn’t. Gasp! 😉
Marykate says
Our new addition is a big fan of raw carrots!
Les says
About a month ago, I was sitting on the couch reading your blog. I asked my boyfriend if it’s weird that I feel like you are my friend. He said no- it’s good. And I think he’s right.
Your friends all over the country (and the world) are thinking about you and your family.
– Your friend in Hawaii
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awwwwwww!! I am so honored to be your friend. You can never ever have too many friends!
Chocolate hugs!
Joy says
Dobby’s favorite food is mcdonald’s ice cram cones and I admit I buy them him too often (but he’s so cute)
Heather @ kissmybroccoli says
Aww, what a sweet little tribute to Molly! I’m sure she would’ve loved to have a bite or lick of all those tasty recipes!
My cat Tiger surprises me at times. He is usually pretty good about sticking to cat food, but he loves to lick the bowl/spoon/glass after I’ve had yogurt or a protein shake and shockingly he is a big fan of coconut butter…not that I can blame him, it’s darn good stuff! 😉
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Molly used to love coconut oil! I accidentally spilled some once, and she licked the floor for an hour!
Alice says
Pets seem to LOOOOOVE eating strange things! I had a budgie who (I refuse to say “which” – he was a really good friend to me) always ate chicken when there was some on our plates (cannibal budgie!), and he used to bathe in soda and green wobble pudding (or jelly? I don’t know the right englich word, sorry!)