I moved in with Mom when I was 8 weeks old. We spent months figuring each other out. While I had to learn the meaning of “no,” “potty,” “sit” and other human words, Mom had to learn the meaning of my barks, pawing on her leg, and all my other pup-isms.

For a few months, all we were doing was speaking two different languages. It took awhile, but we finally learned to understand each other.

The first learning curve came a few weeks after I’d arrived. Mom had headed to work, and I stayed home. While roaming around in my little gated area, I came across this interesting cord plugged into the wall. It was long, gray, and connected to the TV screen. Intrigued by the cord, I decided to take a sniff. It smelled ok.

I did what any normal pup in my situation would do. I chewed on it until I got bored, the gray part was gone, and all that was left were some tiny frayed wires. I didn’t realize how important that cord was until Mom got home and tried to turn on the TV. Chewing that cord prevented Mom from being able to turn on the TV, which I think must’ve been the last straw in her day because after that the tears began to flow down her face.

So, I did what my heart told me to do. I hopped on the couch, sat next to Mom, and put my paw and head on her knee to let her know it would be ok. I even jumped in her face to lick her tears away. In that moment, I learned one important lesson…

I’m valuable.

No human or pup can do what I do. I’m irreplaceable. Despite the fact that I mistakenly chewed through the cord, I have the power to evoke change in someone’s life. I’m here to love without judgment and to teach Mom to reflect as well as live in the moment. My one little gesture made her chuckle and forget about all the things that bothered her that day.

In the real world, that’s called knowing your worth. It’s knowing your value. You’d be surprised how many humans and pups fail to realize that we all bring value. The process of discovering that value is simply experiencing life. The ups. The downs. The friends. The foes. The good. And, even the not so good. They’re all there to help you recognize your value, which fuels confidence. As Drake says…

Getting to that level takes practice. It may even take a few mishaps, like chewing on a cord on a day when Mom had a bad day at work. However, the moment that you realize that you are more than enough, is the moment your confidence will shine through.

These Blueberry Hot “Pup” Cakes are dedicated to the path to self-discovery and knowing your worth.

And of course, we believe that every pupcake has a love story. So, while your favorite pup is PUPPY LOVIN’ on these pupcakes, we’d love to hear from you.

Knowing your worth can come from reflection. How do you take time to reflect on yourself?

Please share your pupcake story in the box below.

And, after you’ve tried this recipe please share it with us @pupcakesugar on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or all three. We’d love to see how they turned out for you.

Ingredients

Blueberry Hot “Pup” Cakes

• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• ⅔ Cup Plain Yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 Egg
• ¼ Cup Blueberries

Instructions

Yields: 3 Hot “Pup” Cakes (18 – 24 “Pup” Cake Slices)

For Blueberry Hot “Pup” Cakes

1. In small bowl mix together flour and baking powder together. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl add olive oil, yogurt, maple syrup and egg. Beat on medium speed about 2 minutes or until combined.
3. Add dry ingredients into the mixture and blend for approximately 2 minutes until well mixed.
4. Stir in blueberries.
5. Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto a griddle. Let cook for approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Flip pancake and cook the other side for another 1 to 2 minutes.
7. Slice each “pup” cake into 6 to 8 pieces for a serving. 

Notes

• This recipe is for a fun treat ONLY. It should not replace your dog’s regular meals. Please consult with your vet on the best plan for your dog’s diet.