Cue the country music, dust off your boots, and fire up that grill, because July is here, and it’s bringing all the backyard BBQ vibes. I still remember those long July evenings growing up, bare feet on warm grass, the smell of burgers on the grill, and my dad’s old country records playing low through the screen door. The sun would hang on just a little longer, casting gold across the yard while we chased fireflies and waited for fireworks to start….sometimes even heat storms. The dogs would be out there with us, kicking up dust as they ran through the yard, their tongues out, tails wagging, completely free in a way only dogs know how to be.

There’s something about this time of year that brings all that rushing back. It’s not just the heat or the holidays, it’s the feeling. Slower days. Sweeter core moments being created. A little more country in our step. And always, a dog or two by our side, reminding us how to live in the moment.

So we still gather for backyard barbecues, pass the brisket, and us adults, yeah we still chase fireflies under a sky that won’t quite go dark. That means it only feels right to make sure our pups get a little something special too.

When these nights happen, I make a special meal for Zero. A Merrick Big Texas Steak Tips Dinner is always right up his alley and it’s not just another scoop in the bowl, it’s a true taste of summer. Slow-cooked with real beef and rich, savory gravy, it smells like it belongs right on the picnic table. You don’t need a ranch to serve up a cowboy-style supper. I just crack open a can, and fill his bowl and let him enjoy the summer evening with us.  These summer nights are the ones that stay with us and make memories. Long after the grill’s gone cold and the last sparkler fizzles out, what lingers is the laughter, the stillness, and my dog, head resting on my lap, belly full, completely at peace. That’s what Merrick gives us. Real food. Real connection. And many memories. The kind of moments that remind us why we slow down in the first place.

Find more summer favorites with us this season. No need to look too far, your Commissary has every flavor you may need!