How To ... Help improve your dog's breath

Sure you love to get kisses from your dog. But you don't always love the sour dog breath now do you? Try this biscuits from "Throw Me a Bone" Cooper Gillespie with recipes by Sally Sampson (Simon & Schuster).

BREATH-SWEETENING BISCUITS

Makes: 24 biscuits

3 cups unbleached all-purpose white or whole-wheat flour, or a combination

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup buttermilk or low-fat yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley or mint leaves

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the flour, baking powder and baking soda in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and mix to combine.

While the processor is going, add the shortening, a few pieces at a time, and process until the mixture resembles cornmeal.

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the buttermilk, and mix by hand until combined. Mix the honey and parsley. Divide the mixture into 24 pieces, flatten them, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Place the sheet in the oven and bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.