I once heard someone ask the question, “What are the disadvantages to living with a toy poodle?” My answer to that question is simple. There are none.

At least that’s how I see it. Honestly, I never really understood that question. Sure, you can’t expect us to be guard dogs, but we’re smart enough to warn you to take cover when it’s important. Yes. We require a lot of time and attention, but what relationship doesn’t?

And, ok. We may tend to bark a lot. However, most dogs have their moments of excessive barking. Barking is how we communicate. It’s how we express ourselves.   It’s how we speak. As far as I’m concerned, toy poodles like me are excellent communicators.

Mom never made a big deal about it. Every now and then she has to calm me down, but for the most part she understands my barking ways.

I was always encouraged to speak my mind.

And, for that I’m extremely grateful. In a world full of pups that are told to “be quiet” and “sit still,” I was encouraged to have a voice. While some pups felt the pressure to shrink to what society says they should be, I was given the freedom to do me.

Characteristics that some may label a “disadvantage,” “flaw,” “weakness,” or even a “con,” were viewed as strengths.

Mom also taught me that barking alone isn’t enough. Barking for the sake of barking will only get you unnecessary complaints about noise from the neighbors. Especially, if it’s midnight on Tuesday. However, barking followed by immediate action will get you the right attention every time.

So, I only bark when I have something to say and I’m ready to do something about it. As Gandhi said…

I take that to heart and I encourage everyone to do the same. Speaking is a powerful tool. While fabulous toy poodles like me bark to speak our minds, “speaking” comes in many different forms. Some may use words; some may use art, while others actually use silence as a strategy to speak their minds.

I even use pupcakes as a way to share my story and speak what’s on my mind. Honestly, there’s nothing that gets pups (and humans) talking like some good food. So if you want to give yourself or anyone else the platform to speak their minds, offer them food.

These Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffin Pupcakes are dedicated to speaking our minds and living in our truth.

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.

Who encourages you to speak your mind? Or, how has speaking your mind helped you grow professionally and/or personally?

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

Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffin Pupcakes

• ½ Cup Brown Rice Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• ½ Cup Quaker Oats
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Mashed Banana
• 1 Egg
• ¼ Cup Blueberries

Honey Glazed Icing (Optional)

• ¼ Cup Plain Yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Honey

Instructions

Yields: 12 – 15 Mini Pupcakes

 For Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffin Pupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 12 – 15 1.75-inch mini-muffin pan with paper bake cups and set aside.
2. In small bowl mix together flour, baking powder, dried Quaker oats. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl add olive oil, mashed banana, and egg. Beat on medium speed about 2 minutes or until combined.
4. Add dry ingredients into the mixture and blend for approximately 2 minutes until well mixed.
5. Stir in blueberries.
6. Fill each cupcake liner with 1 tablespoon of pupcake mix.
7. Bake pupcakes for 12 minutes. Pupcakes are done when you can stick a toothpick into the cake and it comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
8. Pipe, drizzle, or spread honey glazed icing onto the pupcakes (optional).

For Honey Glazed Icing (Optional)

1. In small mixing bowl beat yogurt and honey together on medium speed.
2. Pipe, drizzle, or spread honey glazed icing onto the pupcakes.

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.