Reese Bars

Readers meet Heggy (my adorable Toy Schnauzer), Heggy meet my wonderful Readers!

A little over a year ago, the hubs and I decided to finally get a dog. I was so excited. I had been literally begging the hubs ever since we got married. So last May, Heggy found her way into our loving home. It has been an enjoyable ride. She truly has changed us and I couldn't imagine her not being a part of our family.

Unfortunately, Heggy has been sick for a long time. Most doctors that have seen her have said she just has bad allergies. She's had everything from itchy skin to ear infections to unusual bathroom habits. We have switched her food several times, but finally decided to put her on Orijen dog food (the fish and potato recipe) and that seemed to make a big difference. On top her symptoms going away, she's now one of the softest things I have ever felt!! I have read lots of reviews and gotten several recommendations for the Orijen dog food. So far so good. Heggy seems to love the food. But sadly, last week our little Hegster started acting funny again. She started drinking a lot of water, developed a really sour odor, seemed to have lost her "spunk" and then on Wednesday the hubs came home to find her right eye matted shut.

We were able to clean her eye up up enough to open it, but I decided that I for sure needed to take her back to the vet. So Thursday of last week, off she went to the vet AGAIN. They kept her all day and ran several tests. So to make a long story longer :o) they discovered that she still has a minor ear infection but they were more concerned about her eye. They recommended that we take her to a specialist.

So Friday, Miss Heggy went to see the specialist. They concluded that she has developed a cataract in her right eye. She apparently was also born without the ability to produce tears. (she will have to be on lifelong meds for this) She also has a "fatty deposit" on her eye, which has caused some inflammation. They are recommending cataract surgery, but we aren't sure what to do yet. It's a lot to take in and A LOT of money :o( She is currently on 5 medications (that are unbelievably expensive). She seems to be doing a lot better. She had stopped eating for a couple of days which really had us worried, but yesterday she finally ate all on her own. She has been such a cuddle buddy with her mommy all weekend. It breaks my heart when I look down and see her looking up at me with a sad face (and a cloudy eye). She stayed by my side all weekend though, and even if I got up she would get up and follow me wherever I went. I held her every chance I got! I think having a pet really prepares you for kids....not that I am anywhere near ready for any of those!!! :o)

Heggy has to have a surgery on Oct. 12, where they will do an ultrasound of her eye and also another test to look at her retina to determine if it is even healthy. For now, we are hoping that this "fatty deposit" will go away and not be the start of something worse. I never knew I could love an animal so much! So, we just take it one day at a time now. And in the meantime, I made these Reese Bars in honor of my chocolate (totally sweet) schnauzer! So go fill your bellies with these delicious treats, and send some prayers up to doggie heaven for our little one.

Since I already talked your ear off, I am not going to go on and on about these bars. But I am going to tell you that they are delicious and so easy to make!

If you like Reese Cups, then these are going to be your new best friend!

Reese Bars
(from the kitchen of Liesl)

2 cups of crushed graham crackers

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup melted butter
1 cup peanut butter

For the topping:
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
5 tablespoons peanut butter

Grease a 9x13 baking dish.

Crush graham crackers in a food processor and measure out two cups into a medium size bowl. Add powdered sugar. Melt butter in microwave and pour over crushed graham crackers and powdered sugar. Add peanut butter and stir mixture to combine. (do not use a mixer for this) Press graham cracker mixture evenly into greased baking dish.

For the topping: In a microwave safe dish, heat milk chocolate chips with peanut butter until melted. Carefully not to over cook it. Stir to combine the peanut and chocolate. Carefully spread over the graham cracker mixture.

Chill for several hour or overnight. Cut into bars, I think I got 15 nice sized bars out of it. (You can also use cookie cutters to make shapes, I wished I had halloween ones small enough, those would be really cute!)