The Dog House

Our pets, companion animals, however we describe them, they are a part of our family. Many new families have "furbabies" or "furkids" and these members of the family have integral parts of our lives. Pet owners on Long Island and in NYC are thinking of their pets when they buy pet furniture such as that described in the Newsday article entitled, Pet Chic by Carol Polsky in today's paper.

Find it here:
http://www.newsday.com/features/printedition/ny-hocov4870351aug31,0,4034708.story

At Pet Fashion Week, I found an amazing array of pet beds out there ranging from the simple plush bed to extravagant pieces of furniture that were finely crafted and would make any interior designer go "Oooooh." I myself allow Katie up on the furniture. She sits wherever she pleases but like the pretty princess that she is, or not, she will most often choose the simple comfort of our beautiful hardwood floor. It's really great to see her lying there sleeping soundly or running in her sleep. She will basically sleep anywhere so long as she is close to one member of the family. She will park herself right below me on the carpet of my office, just to be near me while I'm tappity tapping away at my blog. I will in fact get Katie a pet bed someday but for now, she sleeps on several of my throw rugs that I've piled up in her corner. It's like an elevated bed for her and she likes it just fine.

Nice comment in the article there by Susan Bartholomew from Zoomies.

The truth of the matter is that pet owners are spending more on their dogs, cats, birds, fish, anything that keeps company has become really important. Was this a natural progression? I'm sure. This is an important part of survival. Animals all stick together for the most part in packs or herd or flocks or gaggles. It keeps us alive. We need each other. So why not spend some more on your family member if you can. We all deserve a little pampering once in a while and that's a good thing.

I gotta think bigger

I'm starting to need to rev up my production. With business happily chugging along, the orders piling in slowly but like little soldiers, it's lining up and I will need more help. I've thought about enlisting students from the local trade schools. These are some really bright kids but I think I'm going to just try to revamp my efficiency and work on my little assemblyline for now. I've organized a lot of my packing and the treat making itself is like a finely choreographed dance. For those who have seen me dance, stop laughing. No really. Stop.

The treats look good though. That's what counts right? And Katie is still following me around for one of the "Big Dudes". Give it a rest girl. You'll get one soon. If somebody just read the last three sentences, I don't know what they'd think. No wait, I do.

What are my products?
They are treats, yes, but they are healthy so is that food? My father was just talking about my business and kept saying, "dog food this and dog food that." But really, it's food but it's not food. It isn't essential and it isn't going to be giving the dogs everything they need but there are healthy components to it. So is it a supplement? Not really. But it is healthy. Notice, I keep coming back to that part. I'm not sure. I'm planning on consulting a few vets for their opinions when I have time. Ha! When will THAT be? When my cake orders calm down I guess.

My fake cake

I've been asked by stores to build a fake cake to be placed in the storefront for orders. So, what did I do? I went and looked it up online and built one. Actually I built six but they all look different and are made of different things. Do bakeries do this too? Not the one in my neighborhood. My old time Italian bakery which I adored since childhood has always had fresh cakes baked on premises and they have been my cake for birthdays, graduations, celebrations all my life. How do they do it? I'll have to figure that out when I start my own little bakery someday. Oh, but back to my fake cakes...they are heavy! I built them out of wood and plaster and it's a big old block of fake cake. Unbelievable. I'm so glad I don't have to ship it. That would be a lot. But it does look good enough to eat. That's cool.

I gotta go bake for this afternoon's Love on a Leash Parade. That will be so much fun. I'm bringing my camera. I can't wait. Plus, Katie will get to meet some dogs in the Hamptons.

I'll bring back some photos from it.