The Long Island Guide Dog Canine Festival
We were lucky to find the place! Happily able to donate a whole lot of treats to the festival even though we came late. Sent off a delivery to a happy dog today too. Got to watch the frisbee competition and Annabelle, the German Shepherd was great! She was a real trooper. Katie got to meet a lot of other dogs including a bunch of Australian Shepherd dogs and a few chocolate labs.
I got to meet the Labrador Retrievers rescue group and it was nice to see that there was a really great turn-out at this festival.
Happy to say that we passed along Ruffy Road O's, Granny's Apple Pie and Banana Bliss today. All of them are my top picks for active dogs so I hope that they were much enjoyed by all. Katie enjoyed a nice big piece of my peanut butter & carrot cake because she has been such a patient girl while I was baking cakes all weekend. Whew. Tired. But it's really fun to make these cakes because it's just fun for me to get to decorate them. Plus, I just find cake baking to be one of the most relaxing things to do next to meditation. I always get a nice rhythm going with my cake mixing, then my decorating. I always take a photo of my cakes. I've got a virtual album now. Very nice stuff.
I'm looking forward to next weekends activity which will be the Basset Hound Olympics! So cute. I love seeing those dogs because they have those really long ears and they just look like such sweet lovable dogs. Katie actually fell asleep in the car on the way home, which means she must have enjoyed herself and now she is tolerating car trips much better.
Howl-o-ween is around the corner!
I still don't know what I want to be for Halloween. I've been looking through the costumes and finding less that I like as I go along. I may actually dress like a doll or something silly like that because I've been a witch twice before, a vampire last year and a clown so many times. I did the princess thing too. I've done the harlequin clown thing too. Though I have to say I like doing the black and white make-up. That's always fun. I was thinking of getting the clown outfit too but Party City seems to only have these scary costumes this year. It's like Stephen King went and bought out all the Party Cities and now they are all in the macabre, bloody, gory themes. I hate looking at sharp teeth and sunken eyes. It makes me think of a junkie gerbil or something. Blah.
I read a great article in the New York Times today about Day Care and Hotels/Spas for dogs. The annual spending this year seems to be $38 billion in the pet industry. Cool. That means more people are seeing that their pets are a very important member of the family. I like that concept, not just for my business but for bringing the sense of community into great popularity for dog/pet owners. That's cool.
I also donated a huge amount of magazines to the LI Guide Dog Organization. I had a lot of New York Dog magazines somehow from all the events we have done and also Animal Fair. So I hope they went to some good homes to be enjoyed.
Mail Call
I got a delivery returned to me! I emailed customer service at the post office to inquire about this. The customer told me she never got a claim ticket. This stinks because the package is actually a month old now. I would never send out a pack of treats this old now. So now I'm rebaking them. I just have a freshness guarantee that I stand by and this made me mad. So I emailed customer service at the USPS and told them they owe me postage for this. I mean, they actually owe me for the entire order because they basically bleeped it up pretty badly. I'm curious what happened here. I hate having to be firm about this but this is just unacceptable and makes my company look bad as well as the delivery service of the USPS.
I may very well switch to Fed-Ex then.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
The Video
Wow. Check out the awesome video that my brother did on the Canine Cruise. Our treats were a huge hit and this video shows how much fun people had on the cruise.
Very cool stuff. Great fashion show by Shawn Michael. Puppe Couture did a great job.
http://www.zshare.net/video/cc01_pc-wmv.html
The Pawty Cake Press
So I tried to pass my photos along to a cake photo brag book and the book organizer said NO?! She said they were really cute but that the website was for cakes for people. That made me laugh because these cakes COULD be eaten by people but they are made for dogs. What difference does it make that the cake is meant for dogs? This is a brag book on great cake photos. Well. I shared my photos. I just really want people to see the different types of cake available.
Wow. Check out the awesome video that my brother did on the Canine Cruise. Our treats were a huge hit and this video shows how much fun people had on the cruise.
Very cool stuff. Great fashion show by Shawn Michael. Puppe Couture did a great job.
http://www.zshare.net/video/cc01_pc-wmv.html
The Pawty Cake Press
So I tried to pass my photos along to a cake photo brag book and the book organizer said NO?! She said they were really cute but that the website was for cakes for people. That made me laugh because these cakes COULD be eaten by people but they are made for dogs. What difference does it make that the cake is meant for dogs? This is a brag book on great cake photos. Well. I shared my photos. I just really want people to see the different types of cake available.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Happy Howl-o-ween
Here's a great article about safe costumes for your dog for Halloween. I'm planning a lot of parties for our dog friends so keep checking back to see where we will be next!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5617.asp
Speakin' of Howllllling
The LI Basset Olympics is this weekend in Wantagh. It will be a really fun time and if you want to check it out, it's here at
http://tristatebassets.org/events.html#lipicnic
We're also helping out the Long Island Guide Dog Association with some bakery treats too.
We made it!
I got my treats into Uncle Giuseppe's in Smithtown today. Really cool stuff. I guess I got a little carried away but I was just so...happy to actually get my treats out there. It's so public and so amazing. Wow!
Also found a really cute selection of cookie jars and Halloween kitchenware at Target in Garden City. Very cute! They don't show their treat/cookie jars online so you better get over to that store and check them out. I have not seen a treat jar as cute as the ones they have. There were only two and I should have gotten one for Katie but I had more important things to do...like finding that elusive 5" cake pan! Ugh. No luck at all. Oh well. But I did get some really fun platters for the Howl-o-ween parties coming up. I love Halloween!
Gotta comment on this article from Long Island Press, "Responsible Dog Ownership Day."
Okay, so we need this to be like every day right?
This is the article link:
http://www.longislandpress.com/index.php?cp=167&show=article&a_id=9652
Well, we did cater both of those Leashes and Lovers events with treats for the cocktail muttini party at Sweet and Vicious as well as the party in Washington Square Park for Jim's friends on the Queer Eye show that aired tonight at 10PM EST on BRAVO. That was the nicest show I've ever seen them do. What they did for that guy was phenomenal and I hope he is out in the dating world, or at least socializing again. The kids were so cute and that mother-in-law is a saint! Wow. I'm glad we were able to contribute to helping get this guy out into the world. He seems to have gone through a major makeover so good for him! I wish that we got some airtime but contributing to helping this guy out I think the cosmic balance will be enough for now. Even though we got no credit, hey, that happens. We did a good deal and comp'ed all the treats for the Leashes and Lovers group. We encourage people to get out and socialize and if it's easier to do it with your dog at your side, go for it! We think dogs need to get out and meet other dogs just like the AKC guidelines states it.
Here's a great article about safe costumes for your dog for Halloween. I'm planning a lot of parties for our dog friends so keep checking back to see where we will be next!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5617.asp
Speakin' of Howllllling
The LI Basset Olympics is this weekend in Wantagh. It will be a really fun time and if you want to check it out, it's here at
http://tristatebassets.org/events.html#lipicnic
We're also helping out the Long Island Guide Dog Association with some bakery treats too.
We made it!
I got my treats into Uncle Giuseppe's in Smithtown today. Really cool stuff. I guess I got a little carried away but I was just so...happy to actually get my treats out there. It's so public and so amazing. Wow!
Also found a really cute selection of cookie jars and Halloween kitchenware at Target in Garden City. Very cute! They don't show their treat/cookie jars online so you better get over to that store and check them out. I have not seen a treat jar as cute as the ones they have. There were only two and I should have gotten one for Katie but I had more important things to do...like finding that elusive 5" cake pan! Ugh. No luck at all. Oh well. But I did get some really fun platters for the Howl-o-ween parties coming up. I love Halloween!
Gotta comment on this article from Long Island Press, "Responsible Dog Ownership Day."
Okay, so we need this to be like every day right?
This is the article link:
http://www.longislandpress.com/index.php?cp=167&show=article&a_id=9652
AKC RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER PET PROMISE
As a dog owner, I promise:
• I will never overlook my responsibilities for this
living being and recognize that my dog's welfare is totally dependent on me.
• I will always provide fresh water and quality food for my dog.
• I will socialize my dog via exposure to new people, places and other dogs.
• I will take pride in my dog's appearance with regular grooming.
• I will recognize the necessity of basic training by teaching my dog to reliably sit, stay and come when called.
• I will take my dog to the vet regularly and keep all vaccinations current.
• I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog's waste.
• I will make sure my dog is regarded as an AKC Canine Good Citizen® by being aware of my responsibilities to my neighbors and to the community.
• I will ensure that the proper amount of exercise and mental stimulation appropriate for my dog's age, breed and energy level is provided.
• I will make certain that my dog is identified with both a collar tag and a microchip and I will adhere to local leash laws.
TV or not to see?Well, we did cater both of those Leashes and Lovers events with treats for the cocktail muttini party at Sweet and Vicious as well as the party in Washington Square Park for Jim's friends on the Queer Eye show that aired tonight at 10PM EST on BRAVO. That was the nicest show I've ever seen them do. What they did for that guy was phenomenal and I hope he is out in the dating world, or at least socializing again. The kids were so cute and that mother-in-law is a saint! Wow. I'm glad we were able to contribute to helping get this guy out into the world. He seems to have gone through a major makeover so good for him! I wish that we got some airtime but contributing to helping this guy out I think the cosmic balance will be enough for now. Even though we got no credit, hey, that happens. We did a good deal and comp'ed all the treats for the Leashes and Lovers group. We encourage people to get out and socialize and if it's easier to do it with your dog at your side, go for it! We think dogs need to get out and meet other dogs just like the AKC guidelines states it.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Got birthday? Get pawty Cakes!
Yeah, I just had to add these photos to my blog because I haven't before and as I was cleaning up my archives, I knew I should share. These are some of the cakes I've done for birthdays and for the shelters.
I need to get the word out and these custom designed cakes are so cool it's really fun for me. I love decorating. It's really like designing a great sculpture and speaking of which, I really have got to get that cake model done! Ack!
This was a sheet cake done for Little Shelter's Adoptathon.
This was a sheet cake done for a big birthday bash.
This cake truly rocked! I loved it. I actually hated to give it away!
Two tiered cake that came out really nice but huge! I practiced the lettering for hours before I got it exactly how I wanted it to look. The thing that I figured out was that my pan was not a 5" pan like it said on the label but a 6" pan and it actually made the top tier look like a slightly smaller layer cake. Still looked really nice though and the customers were very pleased!
Yeah, I just had to add these photos to my blog because I haven't before and as I was cleaning up my archives, I knew I should share. These are some of the cakes I've done for birthdays and for the shelters.
I need to get the word out and these custom designed cakes are so cool it's really fun for me. I love decorating. It's really like designing a great sculpture and speaking of which, I really have got to get that cake model done! Ack!
This was a sheet cake done for Little Shelter's Adoptathon.
This was a sheet cake done for a big birthday bash.
This cake truly rocked! I loved it. I actually hated to give it away!Two tiered cake that came out really nice but huge! I practiced the lettering for hours before I got it exactly how I wanted it to look. The thing that I figured out was that my pan was not a 5" pan like it said on the label but a 6" pan and it actually made the top tier look like a slightly smaller layer cake. Still looked really nice though and the customers were very pleased!
Dog Bite Facts
This is a good article about dog bites. I wanted to add it to my previous posting but figured it might get more attention on its own. I particularly found useful the last part that shows what to do to prevent a dog attack, some things that are very important to teach your children about dogs.
http://www.doglaw.com/Dog_Bite_Law/dog-bite-attorneys.html
This is a good article about dog bites. I wanted to add it to my previous posting but figured it might get more attention on its own. I particularly found useful the last part that shows what to do to prevent a dog attack, some things that are very important to teach your children about dogs.
http://www.doglaw.com/Dog_Bite_Law/dog-bite-attorneys.html
Oh...POOP!
I was thinking about a conversation I had recently about converting poop into fuel or energy. As I was doing the respectable bag and scoop this AM, I was reminded of this conversation. The thought did occur to me that bagging doggie poop and then disposing of it in the way that is regulated by NY State law is actually containing the poop but really you cannot do anything with it because it is in a non-biodegradable bag and so it stays, forever and ever. It is basically preserved for all eternity in its plastic chamber. That's gross. I laughed when I read this article because it described the very thoughts that I had had. Someday, when we are all gone and some alien species is investigating our remains, they will find these bags of poop and wonder what makes it so precious that we saved them, each and every one of them. Perhaps they will use it to cure a fatal illness or as an energy source to save their world. For whatever purpose, I'm sure there must be one otherwise, why else would we choose to save our dog poop in the manner that we do? Why not use biodegradable bags? It makes more sense for us to find a biodegradable yet safe way to dispose of dog poop.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=1813414&page=1
I found this article, although amusing, to be sad and disturbing as well.
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2006/02/01/pooo.php
I remember well that my neighbor across the street had an adorable mutt named Snoopy. Snoopy was famous for her...well, poopie. She would be let out and allowed to trot happily across the street to make her famous drop on the strip of lawn lining our sidewalk. She would happily and fairly deposit her deeds on almost everyone's strip of lawn, you know, that useless strip of lawn that divides the sidewalk with your car? That's the part of the lawn that basically serves as a doggie toilet for most suburban dogs. Well, Snoopy would happily do her deed and then trot back home to get a kind pat on the head from her owner, Bruno. Well, this went on for many many years and never do I remember her owner ever coming to scoop da poop. It would remain on our lawn to be scooped by us or our neighbors and not once did we ever get together to form a lynch mob or community arrest on this neighbor, we just scooped the poop. I guess it's a different, less tolerant world we live in now or maybe we just find ways to be mean to each other. Who knows? All I know is Katie does her deed in the backyard, we scoop it and dispose of it in the manner of our towns regulations and that's that. What do city people do? I would think they do the same, scoop their poop and then drop it off wherever the city demands it be dropped. Where is that? I caught this article and laughed...a doggie poop DNA bank. Yeah, that'll be a great use of our taxpayers money. Just scoop the darned poop already!
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2005/10/02/a_modest_dog_pooprosal.php
Oh no...this goes way back even further than I imagined and here lies a huge post on dog poop and the public humiliation of a girl whose dog pooped on the train and she didn't pick it up. The aftermath was a posting of her photo and identification for life as the "dog poop girl!" or in Korean it is gae-ttong-nyue or dog-poop-girl. Whoa. That is a title that could be held top rating as the all time worst nickname anyone could ever have. Yikes.
Wow! Here is the law...
http://www.doglaw.com/New-York-City-Laws/new-york-dog-poop-law.html
And finally, my last word on da poop...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooper_scooper
So it's $600.00 fine and the ticket can be given to you by any of the park's recreation workers. AND you can be identified through DNA in your dog's poop. Incredible. Well, in our world of microchipping your dog to locate it, now you can do a DNA ID of your dog through poop. And we still cannot find the treatment for cancer...what are we wasting our research money on?
I was thinking about a conversation I had recently about converting poop into fuel or energy. As I was doing the respectable bag and scoop this AM, I was reminded of this conversation. The thought did occur to me that bagging doggie poop and then disposing of it in the way that is regulated by NY State law is actually containing the poop but really you cannot do anything with it because it is in a non-biodegradable bag and so it stays, forever and ever. It is basically preserved for all eternity in its plastic chamber. That's gross. I laughed when I read this article because it described the very thoughts that I had had. Someday, when we are all gone and some alien species is investigating our remains, they will find these bags of poop and wonder what makes it so precious that we saved them, each and every one of them. Perhaps they will use it to cure a fatal illness or as an energy source to save their world. For whatever purpose, I'm sure there must be one otherwise, why else would we choose to save our dog poop in the manner that we do? Why not use biodegradable bags? It makes more sense for us to find a biodegradable yet safe way to dispose of dog poop.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=1813414&page=1
I found this article, although amusing, to be sad and disturbing as well.
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2006/02/01/pooo.php
I remember well that my neighbor across the street had an adorable mutt named Snoopy. Snoopy was famous for her...well, poopie. She would be let out and allowed to trot happily across the street to make her famous drop on the strip of lawn lining our sidewalk. She would happily and fairly deposit her deeds on almost everyone's strip of lawn, you know, that useless strip of lawn that divides the sidewalk with your car? That's the part of the lawn that basically serves as a doggie toilet for most suburban dogs. Well, Snoopy would happily do her deed and then trot back home to get a kind pat on the head from her owner, Bruno. Well, this went on for many many years and never do I remember her owner ever coming to scoop da poop. It would remain on our lawn to be scooped by us or our neighbors and not once did we ever get together to form a lynch mob or community arrest on this neighbor, we just scooped the poop. I guess it's a different, less tolerant world we live in now or maybe we just find ways to be mean to each other. Who knows? All I know is Katie does her deed in the backyard, we scoop it and dispose of it in the manner of our towns regulations and that's that. What do city people do? I would think they do the same, scoop their poop and then drop it off wherever the city demands it be dropped. Where is that? I caught this article and laughed...a doggie poop DNA bank. Yeah, that'll be a great use of our taxpayers money. Just scoop the darned poop already!
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2005/10/02/a_modest_dog_pooprosal.php
Oh no...this goes way back even further than I imagined and here lies a huge post on dog poop and the public humiliation of a girl whose dog pooped on the train and she didn't pick it up. The aftermath was a posting of her photo and identification for life as the "dog poop girl!" or in Korean it is gae-ttong-nyue or dog-poop-girl. Whoa. That is a title that could be held top rating as the all time worst nickname anyone could ever have. Yikes.
Wow! Here is the law...
http://www.doglaw.com/New-York-City-Laws/new-york-dog-poop-law.html
And finally, my last word on da poop...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooper_scooper
So it's $600.00 fine and the ticket can be given to you by any of the park's recreation workers. AND you can be identified through DNA in your dog's poop. Incredible. Well, in our world of microchipping your dog to locate it, now you can do a DNA ID of your dog through poop. And we still cannot find the treatment for cancer...what are we wasting our research money on?
Sunday, September 17, 2006
The Quest for the Perfect Cake
I've been revising my cake recipe since I began creating these pawty cakes. I dream about peanut butter and the perfect cake. Eggs and honey, mixing it all together, how to get it just right. I watch as the cakes rise in the oven and opening the door to a cake that is just right is an experience that I can only compare with possibly hitting a golf ball with just the right lift, and watching it plop with a gentle thud on the fairway exactly where you want it to fall. It's beautiful. The aroma of a fresh baked peanut butter cake is just delicious. For those of us who love peanut butter, it's a sliver of heaven that gently wafts in through your nostrils, tickles your mind with a warm fragrance of peanutty goodness that makes the mouth form a tiny circle of "ohhhh." It's THAT good. I think the satisfaction of baking is truly my relaxation. It's my yoga. It centers me and it keeps me focused on my passion. I adore it. I can sit for hours reading through my cookbooks and searching for tips on baking. I love blogs that are about baking. I'm reading one now that is about cupcakes. There is a following for cupcakes that would astound those who do not share our interests. I welcome you to the world of cupcakes...take a look at these blogs:
http://dontmesswithcupcake.blogspot.com/
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
This site lists a whole lot of cupcake blogs:
http://www.squidoo.com/cupcakes/
What do you do on a beautiful day?
I've got a billion things to do including bills...oh what fun. But truly I have a list of fun fabulous things to get done including:
1. bills
2. change my watch battery
3. design my new promotion cards
4. bake apple cupcakes
5. devil's food cupcakes (none for Katie)
6. haircut
7. go through mail from this past week
8. read Sunday papers (Newsday and NYT)
9. blog
10. catch up with friends
11. write press release
12. get new cake pans
13. work on new recipes
14. clean out one dresser drawer (Martha Stewart made me feel guilty!)
15. read four magazines
16. Plan Howl-o-ween parties for October
17. design gift baskets
18. finish cake models for displays
19. Read a chapter of Cesar Millan's book.
20. Finish business advice book.
Okay. Now you know that this list is absolutely impossible to do in one day. Yes, but I do that. I plan way more things to do than I could possibly do and then it overflows to the next day.
I did run 2 1/2 miles yesterday and that was really cool.
Imperfections
I made a cake this week that was perfect except for one thing. The top tier was just too big. It looks like a mesa more than a two tiered cake. I now realize that the people really like these two tiered birthday cakes. They look really cool but since the tier on top is too big, I now need one size smaller cake pan and I cannot find one. It seems like there are no cake pans that are smaller than the size I've got and big enough to write a friendly "Happy Birthday [Your dog's name here]." So I'm cake pan hunting today amongst the other 20 odd things to do today.
Controversies
Last Sunday, there was an article in NYT about Pit Bull Laws in certain towns. I remember how difficult it was to find a dog friendly apartment but imagine what it would be like to buy a home and then be told that you cannot keep your dog? As well, there are places in the U.S. that have euthanized dogs of the pit bull breed due to a ban that was started in May 2005. The CDC has statistics on the pit bull that state the breed was responsible for 66 of the 238 dog bite fatalities during the period of 1979-98. Rottweilers were next with 39 deaths. There are other communities that require leashes to have a minimum of 300lbs of strength and be kept at most 3 feet in length. As well, the requirement of $100,000.00 liability insurance sounds fairly reasonable. I think that any dog can be considered vicious if not taught appropriate social behavior or not being socialized with other dogs or people. Being a responsible dog owner takes effort. Bringing a dog into the community means understanding that we all must be considerate of everyone that lives in our community and I strongly encourage people to socialize their dogs, read about appropriate behavior, follow dog park rules and enlist the help of a trainer like Andrea Arden to help make your dog a good citizen.
Thank you!
I wanted to thank Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible for that wonderful message she put in my book. It was a present to me and I really loved it. I cannot wait to read through and learn more. I've heard so many wonderful things about this book and it has come highly recommended by many including a whole bunch of people I met at the last AKC dog show I attended.
Special thanks to Arden Moore for sending me a copy of her wonderful book "Dog Parties" I'm so excited and want to say it has some really funny illustrations so if you don't already have a copy, go get one because it's really a fun read!
http://blubandoo.com/product_info.php?cPath=20&products_id=42&osCsid=45f093123a11d40abd9414e6193a74a2
I gotta get going...so much to do and already the day is passing by!
I've been revising my cake recipe since I began creating these pawty cakes. I dream about peanut butter and the perfect cake. Eggs and honey, mixing it all together, how to get it just right. I watch as the cakes rise in the oven and opening the door to a cake that is just right is an experience that I can only compare with possibly hitting a golf ball with just the right lift, and watching it plop with a gentle thud on the fairway exactly where you want it to fall. It's beautiful. The aroma of a fresh baked peanut butter cake is just delicious. For those of us who love peanut butter, it's a sliver of heaven that gently wafts in through your nostrils, tickles your mind with a warm fragrance of peanutty goodness that makes the mouth form a tiny circle of "ohhhh." It's THAT good. I think the satisfaction of baking is truly my relaxation. It's my yoga. It centers me and it keeps me focused on my passion. I adore it. I can sit for hours reading through my cookbooks and searching for tips on baking. I love blogs that are about baking. I'm reading one now that is about cupcakes. There is a following for cupcakes that would astound those who do not share our interests. I welcome you to the world of cupcakes...take a look at these blogs:
http://dontmesswithcupcake.blogspot.com/
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/
This site lists a whole lot of cupcake blogs:
http://www.squidoo.com/cupcakes/
What do you do on a beautiful day?
I've got a billion things to do including bills...oh what fun. But truly I have a list of fun fabulous things to get done including:
1. bills
2. change my watch battery
3. design my new promotion cards
4. bake apple cupcakes
5. devil's food cupcakes (none for Katie)
6. haircut
7. go through mail from this past week
8. read Sunday papers (Newsday and NYT)
9. blog
10. catch up with friends
11. write press release
12. get new cake pans
13. work on new recipes
14. clean out one dresser drawer (Martha Stewart made me feel guilty!)
15. read four magazines
16. Plan Howl-o-ween parties for October
17. design gift baskets
18. finish cake models for displays
19. Read a chapter of Cesar Millan's book.
20. Finish business advice book.
Okay. Now you know that this list is absolutely impossible to do in one day. Yes, but I do that. I plan way more things to do than I could possibly do and then it overflows to the next day.
I did run 2 1/2 miles yesterday and that was really cool.
Imperfections
I made a cake this week that was perfect except for one thing. The top tier was just too big. It looks like a mesa more than a two tiered cake. I now realize that the people really like these two tiered birthday cakes. They look really cool but since the tier on top is too big, I now need one size smaller cake pan and I cannot find one. It seems like there are no cake pans that are smaller than the size I've got and big enough to write a friendly "Happy Birthday [Your dog's name here]." So I'm cake pan hunting today amongst the other 20 odd things to do today.
Controversies
Last Sunday, there was an article in NYT about Pit Bull Laws in certain towns. I remember how difficult it was to find a dog friendly apartment but imagine what it would be like to buy a home and then be told that you cannot keep your dog? As well, there are places in the U.S. that have euthanized dogs of the pit bull breed due to a ban that was started in May 2005. The CDC has statistics on the pit bull that state the breed was responsible for 66 of the 238 dog bite fatalities during the period of 1979-98. Rottweilers were next with 39 deaths. There are other communities that require leashes to have a minimum of 300lbs of strength and be kept at most 3 feet in length. As well, the requirement of $100,000.00 liability insurance sounds fairly reasonable. I think that any dog can be considered vicious if not taught appropriate social behavior or not being socialized with other dogs or people. Being a responsible dog owner takes effort. Bringing a dog into the community means understanding that we all must be considerate of everyone that lives in our community and I strongly encourage people to socialize their dogs, read about appropriate behavior, follow dog park rules and enlist the help of a trainer like Andrea Arden to help make your dog a good citizen.
Thank you!
I wanted to thank Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible for that wonderful message she put in my book. It was a present to me and I really loved it. I cannot wait to read through and learn more. I've heard so many wonderful things about this book and it has come highly recommended by many including a whole bunch of people I met at the last AKC dog show I attended.
Special thanks to Arden Moore for sending me a copy of her wonderful book "Dog Parties" I'm so excited and want to say it has some really funny illustrations so if you don't already have a copy, go get one because it's really a fun read!
http://blubandoo.com/product_info.php?cPath=20&products_id=42&osCsid=45f093123a11d40abd9414e6193a74a2
I gotta get going...so much to do and already the day is passing by!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Electrocuted dogs
I was just watching the evening news, channel 4 featured a small dog that got electrocuted by a manhole cover that had been touching an electrical wire. The dog got zapped then fell over, luckily off the manhole cover. The owner was safely able to get the dog to medical care and the dog was happily munching on a treat on the camera during the interview. I found this article online that is a useful little guide to what procedure should follow if this should ever happen to your dog. Dogs get into things like wiring in the home and might chew on it so this comes in handy for those dog owners who have that kind of pet at home.
http://www.somervilledog.com/archives/000379.php
Cake!
I love my new cake recipe. I baked a cake and last night I was actually thinking that if anyone could possibly be in love with a cake, I was in love with this cake. It was a two tiered cake and I had not even frosted it yet and it was simply beautiful. Perfect in every way, rose exactly so, texture was perfect, color was perfect, it was just gorgeous. I frosted it today with my very special cream cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey recipe and it was just so pretty. Then I added the message on top. I've gotten better at writing so it looked legible and yummy. I've been using a carob frosting for the writing and it makes a tasty and yet rich appearance to the cake. Topped off with my Banana Bliss bones and Ruffy Road Cruisers and this cake was well, wow. Birthday cakes for dogs is a fantastic concept. I was thinking about it in the shower how dogs aren't humans. I am not one of those people that tries to humanize their dog. I think Katie is simply a member of the family and she deserves to be treated like one of the pack. She's got her place in the pecking order of the family and she knows it. She also gets special treats to tell her we love her. Dog birthday cakes are really just a celebration that we are happy you are a part of our family and you make our lives special. We celebrate that.
I will be posting photos of my cakes soon but this is a photo of the cakes I did for a party last night, the Barkin' by the Bay party with NSALA's Party Animals. It was a lot of fun! There were so many dogs there and Katie made a couple of new friends. A whole bunch of labs were in the corner, Katie's buddy Emma was there with her owner, Heather. Maggie the Basset Hound, and Jilli the trick dog was there with her owner Rick. I love going to these parties and seeing the same crowd and new faces each time. Peanut, a French bulldog was the cutest of all. His smile stretched from ear to ear and he was the cutest little thing, all of thirty pounds but the sweetest face I've ever seen. We also met a gorgeous little Corgi named Duke who just made you smile whenever you looked at his little face. I love short dogs. Katie's slightly taller than most Shelties but I still call her shorty because she is like a little table running around. The photos will be up on our website of the party. Everyone had a good time and there was good cake so definitely a good party.
What did we serve? We served our little boat treats because it seemed to go with the theme of the party and mini peanut butter & carrot cakes with our special frosting, topped with a little boat. Here's the photo.
The Honeybark Bakery's very special mini cakes with creamy cinnamon/vanilla & honey cream cheese frosting. So...tasty.
We served about 2 dozen dogs at the party. It was really a great time and I look forward to the next party!
Paws for Parkinson's
Our next event is going to be the Paws for Parkinson's event, info will be listed on our website.
I had a dream about a new treat that is in development. I dreamed of Italy so I guess you can imagine what I am thinking of. The other thing I dreamed about was hot steaming cinnamon rolls. I used to make the flakiest most delicious rugelach with cinnamon/brown sugar and walnut, chocolate chip and walnut and I also made one with apricot jam. I tell you they were eaten before they were even done being rolled up. So I'm thinking up more treats.
The return of...the veggie roll?
I took the veggie rolls off the menu because basically they were too hard to make. I've been working on the recipe and it's just a hard treat to do. There is a whole long process to make these things and it takes way longer than any of the other treats. So I said, well it's going to have to be a party platter item only. Now I'm starting to rethink this because I love making it. You're probably saying, "But you just said..." Yeah, I know. It's a labor of love really. All of the stuff that I make that is more labor intensive ends up being something I really enjoy. For example, the dessert cups or Sweet Blossoms. Those are really labor intensive but I love making them. I actually do a little dessert cup dance while I'm putting them together. But I didn't tell you that. It's just that I keep the Food Network on my tv while I'm baking and it is a fun time. My bakery has become inspired by Willy Wonka. I've got my own little Oompa Loompa action going on. I wear bright orange crocs whenever I'm in baking mode and sometimes I forget that I've got them on and go out in them. That always gets attention. I've been pointed at by kids who say, "Mommy! Orange feet!" Yeah, it's the crocs! I got the crocs because Martha Stewart had suggested that they are so comfortable and wonderful. She is totally right because these things are to live in. Seriously, they just allow you to walk miles and miles, up and down stairs hundreds of times. My feet and legs feel great. I'm also in love with the colors. I'm going to keep writing to Martha Stewart until she answers my letters. I've been hoping to send her treats for her chows and Francesca, who I adore.
Dirt Dog
iRobot has developed a new robot called "Dirt Dog" I found it on HSN and it was a fantastic little device that I hope to see in action one day. It sweeps and has some sort of cool little barrier so that you can limit it's area of cleanup. Very cool. I love the concept of robots but then I think of Terminator and get scared. Then I think of cleaning my closets and I get even more scared. One day I hope that iRobot invents an "i-hate clutter-bot" that just takes a laser and eliminates your clutter by completely obliterating it like on those old time science fiction movies where the laser beam would disintegrate anything in it's path. I need that. I'm a clutter freak and I keep almost everything until there is absolutely no room on my desk then it all goes into the circular file. Usually that parting of the desk piles happens on Sundays because that is the day of being closer to you know who. And cleanliness is next to you know who-liness. Of course, there should be a setting that says, closet to be cleaned every...whatever number of days, say a month or three months. That way, you could go a season without any issues. And, if that "i-hate clutter bot" destroys all your stuff, you can just go out and get new stuff. Just like George Carlin said. Simple. It's the Honeybark way.
http://news.com.com/iRobot+launches+Dirt+Dog+shop+vac+and+military+PackBot/2100-1041_3-6115360.html
I was just watching the evening news, channel 4 featured a small dog that got electrocuted by a manhole cover that had been touching an electrical wire. The dog got zapped then fell over, luckily off the manhole cover. The owner was safely able to get the dog to medical care and the dog was happily munching on a treat on the camera during the interview. I found this article online that is a useful little guide to what procedure should follow if this should ever happen to your dog. Dogs get into things like wiring in the home and might chew on it so this comes in handy for those dog owners who have that kind of pet at home.
http://www.somervilledog.com/archives/000379.php
Cake!
I love my new cake recipe. I baked a cake and last night I was actually thinking that if anyone could possibly be in love with a cake, I was in love with this cake. It was a two tiered cake and I had not even frosted it yet and it was simply beautiful. Perfect in every way, rose exactly so, texture was perfect, color was perfect, it was just gorgeous. I frosted it today with my very special cream cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey recipe and it was just so pretty. Then I added the message on top. I've gotten better at writing so it looked legible and yummy. I've been using a carob frosting for the writing and it makes a tasty and yet rich appearance to the cake. Topped off with my Banana Bliss bones and Ruffy Road Cruisers and this cake was well, wow. Birthday cakes for dogs is a fantastic concept. I was thinking about it in the shower how dogs aren't humans. I am not one of those people that tries to humanize their dog. I think Katie is simply a member of the family and she deserves to be treated like one of the pack. She's got her place in the pecking order of the family and she knows it. She also gets special treats to tell her we love her. Dog birthday cakes are really just a celebration that we are happy you are a part of our family and you make our lives special. We celebrate that.
I will be posting photos of my cakes soon but this is a photo of the cakes I did for a party last night, the Barkin' by the Bay party with NSALA's Party Animals. It was a lot of fun! There were so many dogs there and Katie made a couple of new friends. A whole bunch of labs were in the corner, Katie's buddy Emma was there with her owner, Heather. Maggie the Basset Hound, and Jilli the trick dog was there with her owner Rick. I love going to these parties and seeing the same crowd and new faces each time. Peanut, a French bulldog was the cutest of all. His smile stretched from ear to ear and he was the cutest little thing, all of thirty pounds but the sweetest face I've ever seen. We also met a gorgeous little Corgi named Duke who just made you smile whenever you looked at his little face. I love short dogs. Katie's slightly taller than most Shelties but I still call her shorty because she is like a little table running around. The photos will be up on our website of the party. Everyone had a good time and there was good cake so definitely a good party.
What did we serve? We served our little boat treats because it seemed to go with the theme of the party and mini peanut butter & carrot cakes with our special frosting, topped with a little boat. Here's the photo.
The Honeybark Bakery's very special mini cakes with creamy cinnamon/vanilla & honey cream cheese frosting. So...tasty.
We served about 2 dozen dogs at the party. It was really a great time and I look forward to the next party!
Paws for Parkinson's
Our next event is going to be the Paws for Parkinson's event, info will be listed on our website.
I had a dream about a new treat that is in development. I dreamed of Italy so I guess you can imagine what I am thinking of. The other thing I dreamed about was hot steaming cinnamon rolls. I used to make the flakiest most delicious rugelach with cinnamon/brown sugar and walnut, chocolate chip and walnut and I also made one with apricot jam. I tell you they were eaten before they were even done being rolled up. So I'm thinking up more treats.
The return of...the veggie roll?
I took the veggie rolls off the menu because basically they were too hard to make. I've been working on the recipe and it's just a hard treat to do. There is a whole long process to make these things and it takes way longer than any of the other treats. So I said, well it's going to have to be a party platter item only. Now I'm starting to rethink this because I love making it. You're probably saying, "But you just said..." Yeah, I know. It's a labor of love really. All of the stuff that I make that is more labor intensive ends up being something I really enjoy. For example, the dessert cups or Sweet Blossoms. Those are really labor intensive but I love making them. I actually do a little dessert cup dance while I'm putting them together. But I didn't tell you that. It's just that I keep the Food Network on my tv while I'm baking and it is a fun time. My bakery has become inspired by Willy Wonka. I've got my own little Oompa Loompa action going on. I wear bright orange crocs whenever I'm in baking mode and sometimes I forget that I've got them on and go out in them. That always gets attention. I've been pointed at by kids who say, "Mommy! Orange feet!" Yeah, it's the crocs! I got the crocs because Martha Stewart had suggested that they are so comfortable and wonderful. She is totally right because these things are to live in. Seriously, they just allow you to walk miles and miles, up and down stairs hundreds of times. My feet and legs feel great. I'm also in love with the colors. I'm going to keep writing to Martha Stewart until she answers my letters. I've been hoping to send her treats for her chows and Francesca, who I adore.
Dirt Dog
iRobot has developed a new robot called "Dirt Dog" I found it on HSN and it was a fantastic little device that I hope to see in action one day. It sweeps and has some sort of cool little barrier so that you can limit it's area of cleanup. Very cool. I love the concept of robots but then I think of Terminator and get scared. Then I think of cleaning my closets and I get even more scared. One day I hope that iRobot invents an "i-hate clutter-bot" that just takes a laser and eliminates your clutter by completely obliterating it like on those old time science fiction movies where the laser beam would disintegrate anything in it's path. I need that. I'm a clutter freak and I keep almost everything until there is absolutely no room on my desk then it all goes into the circular file. Usually that parting of the desk piles happens on Sundays because that is the day of being closer to you know who. And cleanliness is next to you know who-liness. Of course, there should be a setting that says, closet to be cleaned every...whatever number of days, say a month or three months. That way, you could go a season without any issues. And, if that "i-hate clutter bot" destroys all your stuff, you can just go out and get new stuff. Just like George Carlin said. Simple. It's the Honeybark way.
http://news.com.com/iRobot+launches+Dirt+Dog+shop+vac+and+military+PackBot/2100-1041_3-6115360.html
Electrocuted dogs
I was just watching the evening news, channel 4 featured a small dog that got electrocuted by a manhole cover that had been touching an electrical wire. The dog got zapped then fell over, luckily off the manhole cover. The owner was safely able to get the dog to medical care and the dog was happily munching on a treat on the camera during the interview. I found this article online that is a useful little guide to what procedure should follow if this should ever happen to your dog. Dogs get into things like wiring in the home and might chew on it so this comes in handy for those dog owners who have that kind of pet at home.
http://www.somervilledog.com/archives/000379.php
Cake!
I love my new cake recipe. I baked a cake and last night I was actually thinking that if anyone could possibly be in love with a cake, I was in love with this cake. It was a two tiered cake and I had not even frosted it yet and it was simply beautiful. Perfect in every way, rose exactly so, texture was perfect, color was perfect, it was just gorgeous. I frosted it today with my very special cream cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey recipe and it was just so pretty. Then I added the message on top. I've gotten better at writing so it looked legible and yummy. I've been using a carob frosting for the writing and it makes a tasty and yet rich appearance to the cake. Topped off with my Banana Bliss bones and Ruffy Road Cruisers and this cake was well, wow. Birthday cakes for dogs is a fantastic concept. I was thinking about it in the shower how dogs aren't humans. I am not one of those people that tries to humanize their dog. I think Katie is simply a member of the family and she deserves to be treated like one of the pack. She's got her place in the pecking order of the family and she knows it. She also gets special treats to tell her we love her. Dog birthday cakes are really just a celebration that we are happy you are a part of our family and you make our lives special. We celebrate that.
I will be posting photos of my cakes soon but this is a photo of the cakes I did for a party last night, the Barkin' by the Bay party with NSALA's Party Animals. It was a lot of fun! There were so many dogs there and Katie made a couple of new friends. A whole bunch of labs were in the corner, Katie's buddy Emma was there with her owner, Heather. Maggie the Basset Hound, and Jilli the trick dog was there with her owner Rick. I love going to these parties and seeing the same crowd and new faces each time. Peanut, a French bulldog was the cutest of all. His smile stretched from ear to ear and he was the cutest little thing, all of thirty pounds but the sweetest face I've ever seen. We also met a gorgeous little Corgi named Duke who just made you smile whenever you looked at his little face. I love short dogs. Katie's slightly taller than most Shelties but I still call her shorty because she is like a little table running around. The photos will be up on our website of the party. Everyone had a good time and there was good cake so definitely a good party.
What did we serve? We served our little boat treats because it seemed to go with the theme of the party and mini peanut butter & carrot cakes with our special frosting, topped with a little boat. Here's the photo.
The Honeybark Bakery's very special mini cakes with creamy cinnamon/vanilla & honey cream cheese frosting. So...tasty.
We served about 2 dozen dogs at the party. It was really a great time and I look forward to the next party!
Paws for Parkinson's
Our next event is going to be the Paws for Parkinson's event, info will be listed on our website.
I had a dream about a new treat that is in development. I dreamed of Italy so I guess you can imagine what I am thinking of. The other thing I dreamed about was hot steaming cinnamon rolls. I used to make the flakiest most delicious rugelach with cinnamon/brown sugar and walnut, chocolate chip and walnut and I also made one with apricot jam. I tell you they were eaten before they were even done being rolled up. So I'm thinking up more treats.
The return of...the veggie roll?
I took the veggie rolls off the menu because basically they were too hard to make. I've been working on the recipe and it's just a hard treat to do. There is a whole long process to make these things and it takes way longer than any of the other treats. So I said, well it's going to have to be a party platter item only. Now I'm starting to rethink this because I love making it. You're probably saying, "But you just said..." Yeah, I know. It's a labor of love really. All of the stuff that I make that is more labor intensive ends up being something I really enjoy. For example, the dessert cups or Sweet Blossoms. Those are really labor intensive but I love making them. I actually do a little dessert cup dance while I'm putting them together. But I didn't tell you that. It's just that I keep the Food Network on my tv while I'm baking and it is a fun time. My bakery has become inspired by Willy Wonka. I've got my own little Oompa Loompa action going on. I wear bright orange crocs whenever I'm in baking mode and sometimes I forget that I've got them on and go out in them. That always gets attention. I've been pointed at by kids who say, "Mommy! Orange feet!" Yeah, it's the crocs! I got the crocs because Martha Stewart had suggested that they are so comfortable and wonderful. She is totally right because these things are to live in. Seriously, they just allow you to walk miles and miles, up and down stairs hundreds of times. My feet and legs feel great. I'm also in love with the colors. I'm going to keep writing to Martha Stewart until she answers my letters. I've been hoping to send her treats for her chows and Francesca, who I adore.
I was just watching the evening news, channel 4 featured a small dog that got electrocuted by a manhole cover that had been touching an electrical wire. The dog got zapped then fell over, luckily off the manhole cover. The owner was safely able to get the dog to medical care and the dog was happily munching on a treat on the camera during the interview. I found this article online that is a useful little guide to what procedure should follow if this should ever happen to your dog. Dogs get into things like wiring in the home and might chew on it so this comes in handy for those dog owners who have that kind of pet at home.
http://www.somervilledog.com/archives/000379.php
Cake!
I love my new cake recipe. I baked a cake and last night I was actually thinking that if anyone could possibly be in love with a cake, I was in love with this cake. It was a two tiered cake and I had not even frosted it yet and it was simply beautiful. Perfect in every way, rose exactly so, texture was perfect, color was perfect, it was just gorgeous. I frosted it today with my very special cream cheese, cinnamon, vanilla and honey recipe and it was just so pretty. Then I added the message on top. I've gotten better at writing so it looked legible and yummy. I've been using a carob frosting for the writing and it makes a tasty and yet rich appearance to the cake. Topped off with my Banana Bliss bones and Ruffy Road Cruisers and this cake was well, wow. Birthday cakes for dogs is a fantastic concept. I was thinking about it in the shower how dogs aren't humans. I am not one of those people that tries to humanize their dog. I think Katie is simply a member of the family and she deserves to be treated like one of the pack. She's got her place in the pecking order of the family and she knows it. She also gets special treats to tell her we love her. Dog birthday cakes are really just a celebration that we are happy you are a part of our family and you make our lives special. We celebrate that.
I will be posting photos of my cakes soon but this is a photo of the cakes I did for a party last night, the Barkin' by the Bay party with NSALA's Party Animals. It was a lot of fun! There were so many dogs there and Katie made a couple of new friends. A whole bunch of labs were in the corner, Katie's buddy Emma was there with her owner, Heather. Maggie the Basset Hound, and Jilli the trick dog was there with her owner Rick. I love going to these parties and seeing the same crowd and new faces each time. Peanut, a French bulldog was the cutest of all. His smile stretched from ear to ear and he was the cutest little thing, all of thirty pounds but the sweetest face I've ever seen. We also met a gorgeous little Corgi named Duke who just made you smile whenever you looked at his little face. I love short dogs. Katie's slightly taller than most Shelties but I still call her shorty because she is like a little table running around. The photos will be up on our website of the party. Everyone had a good time and there was good cake so definitely a good party.
What did we serve? We served our little boat treats because it seemed to go with the theme of the party and mini peanut butter & carrot cakes with our special frosting, topped with a little boat. Here's the photo.
The Honeybark Bakery's very special mini cakes with creamy cinnamon/vanilla & honey cream cheese frosting. So...tasty.
We served about 2 dozen dogs at the party. It was really a great time and I look forward to the next party!
Paws for Parkinson's
Our next event is going to be the Paws for Parkinson's event, info will be listed on our website.
I had a dream about a new treat that is in development. I dreamed of Italy so I guess you can imagine what I am thinking of. The other thing I dreamed about was hot steaming cinnamon rolls. I used to make the flakiest most delicious rugelach with cinnamon/brown sugar and walnut, chocolate chip and walnut and I also made one with apricot jam. I tell you they were eaten before they were even done being rolled up. So I'm thinking up more treats.
The return of...the veggie roll?
I took the veggie rolls off the menu because basically they were too hard to make. I've been working on the recipe and it's just a hard treat to do. There is a whole long process to make these things and it takes way longer than any of the other treats. So I said, well it's going to have to be a party platter item only. Now I'm starting to rethink this because I love making it. You're probably saying, "But you just said..." Yeah, I know. It's a labor of love really. All of the stuff that I make that is more labor intensive ends up being something I really enjoy. For example, the dessert cups or Sweet Blossoms. Those are really labor intensive but I love making them. I actually do a little dessert cup dance while I'm putting them together. But I didn't tell you that. It's just that I keep the Food Network on my tv while I'm baking and it is a fun time. My bakery has become inspired by Willy Wonka. I've got my own little Oompa Loompa action going on. I wear bright orange crocs whenever I'm in baking mode and sometimes I forget that I've got them on and go out in them. That always gets attention. I've been pointed at by kids who say, "Mommy! Orange feet!" Yeah, it's the crocs! I got the crocs because Martha Stewart had suggested that they are so comfortable and wonderful. She is totally right because these things are to live in. Seriously, they just allow you to walk miles and miles, up and down stairs hundreds of times. My feet and legs feel great. I'm also in love with the colors. I'm going to keep writing to Martha Stewart until she answers my letters. I've been hoping to send her treats for her chows and Francesca, who I adore.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Canine Cruise
I was unable to go to the canine cruise because I had personal obligations, a friend had a bridal shower and because it was a surprise I didn't want to mention it here until after the event just in case she were to come over and read my blog. My friends do that on occasion and they read stuff then call me about it. That would have been a surprise spoiler for sure.
I did hear from my brother, Geoff, the official cruise videographer, that it was a fun time all around, lots of dogs got to enjoy our treats and it was a huge success. Congratulations to Rece Reid, the cruise organizer for doing something spectacular. Dogs from as far as North Carolina were here just to attend this event. It was the first NYC canine cruise and I think it will be one of many to come.
What did we serve? Here's our sign:
PARTY!
Yes, there are a lot of party dogs out there. Birthday cakes are so cool and I'm actually doing a party tonight out in Freeport, NY. It's called Barkin' by the Bay and it's a little gathering of people called "The Party Animals" and we will be socializing and sharing treats. It's all good fun.
I've baked cakes for the party and I put my little cruiser boats on top. It's all very cute. I'm frosting them with my incredibly delicious creamy creamy cheese cinnamon/vanilla/honey frosting. It is absolutely "de-lick-ious!" Ask Katie. She licks all the frosting til it is all gone, then she eats the cake. I gave her one the other day because I did a sweet little individual sized birthday cake and she was waiting for me when I finished boxing the cake. She had the, "Where's MINE?!" look on her face so I gave her a mini one. She doesn't get cake every day. It's just on special occasions. That day was the, "I haven't had cake in a week," day. Ha. I do not kid you. She gets cake once a week at most. I bake cake every week for the weekend parties so she gets whatever is left over from that. Except on her birthday or a holiday. I also donate the cake that is left over from an order to shelters. I've done it a few times and it's a real feel good type thing for me. I've brought two tiered cakes over and it looks really cool for the shelter dogs to get a yummy cake like that. I think they like it. It's peanut butter so why wouldn't they?
I'm developing two new cake flavors but I think that for now peanut butter is the hit. I wish more people would try the carob cake and see that it is pretty yummy. I might bake that for tonight just to give people a taste of carob cake. Hmm...
I've noticed something interesting. People say stuff about being organic. I don't make any huge claims about my product. I tell people that I use organic ingredients. That's it. I don't use any additives or chemicals or preservatives. Why? It's just the fact that I bake the same stuff, the same treats that I developed just for Katie. These are wholesome goodies. It's the truth.
I came across some websites that say they are entirely organic or that they are members of ORGANIC ASSOCIATIONS. Um...sorry to be technical but, ANYONE can be a member of this just by paying dues. You receive newsletters and pay an annual membership fee. Just try it yourself and you will see this is true. I get a little disappointed by these treat makers that make these huge claims about their product. Why don't they just say their stuff is just good and leave it at that? I think that my product is the most amazing treat your dog will ever try. That's my deal. It's simple. Our treats appeal to people because they look good, cute, kind of adorable even. They smell good. There is cinnamon and nutmeg and fresh fruits, apples, bananas and real peanut butter. Real peanuts, carob chips and I use fresh meats, eggs, cheese. It's everything that a person wants to eat for themselves and I bake it all into my treats. It's good stuff. I designed them to look appealing because I think that you just need to feel good about what you eat and what you feed your dog. Some people say, "eh, I just give my dog a ----bone and he's fine." Okay. Let's just think back to the good days of our childhood....school cafeteria lunches. Remember those? Remember how they used to send us home with a calendar for our parents to see what we were eating each day? I remember it well...pizza on Monday, meatloaf on Tuesdays, spaghetti on Wednesdays, chicken cutlets or meatball heros on Thursdays and Fish sticks on Fridays. They would mix it up a little bit each week but basically it was the same, all year. After a while you wonder if there is anything else out there. Kids would have food fights with the food or just dump it. It gets boring. If you remember this, this is why I created Honeybark treats. You need to shake it up once in a while. Giving your dog something different and a real treat, a reward is a nice thing to do. It isn't a meal replacement. It's a treat. Treats are good. You like your occasional box of chocolate right? That's what Honeybark is about. Give your dog some Granny's Apple Pie, Peanut Butterfly treats, Banana Bliss pies or Ruffy Road (that's my carob chip/peanut butter treat) and watch your dog stop and sniff it. They need to investigate it first then they will try it. It's a totally new experience. It's like trying sushi for the first time. Sometimes people are skeptical. They sniff it. They wrinkle their noses. They look at it, examine it and then watch other people eat it. Then they try it, and they love it. They are hooked. But you don't eat sushi every day. Not even in Japan do they eat sushi every day. But it's a treat. Same concept, only your dog deserves a treat. You gotta take some home and let your dog try some on his own terms. Then you will really see how much they enjoy it. That's my two cents.
Junk mail rant
I'm getting a lot of junk mail since I started Honeybark. People find me. I've got a whole bunch of pet products just loading up my junk box. Wow. I know occasionally my email gets directed the wrong way so I check it for occasional customer questions and whatnot. I've found out that there is a guy out there who knows how to virtually rob banks. I don't know why he isn't in jail. Or maybe he IS in jail and he is emailing people telling them how to rob banks. Geez. Isn't THAT ironic. Then there are the people who tell me I've won stuff. Oh boy. I've won a lot of stuff according to these folks. I've won trips, homes, free dinners and all I have to do is answer five zillion questions. Then I get to sign up for a new credit card. Like I need another one of those. Watch out for those emails. I've also been approved for many loans. A multitude of people who want to help me with my business needs. I'd be Bill Gates if this were true. I have free Hoodia samples waiting for me and people in Africa who want me to earn thousands of dollars in a week just by depositing their checks for them and sending them a smaller amount. It's a wonderful service called a BIG LOAD OF SCAM! I cannot believe these people. They tell you how you can earn so much money by sending them a smaller amount after you deposit their check because they cannot exchange their money in the U.S. from their customers. So you send the money to them and then it turns out to be a scam and you actually have sent them your own money AND you have been penalized a huge amount from the bank for sending a bad check to them. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on these crooks. Oh how I long for the happy days of ignorant bliss where you can trust everyone and doubt few. That reversal of opinion seems to be what growing old is all about. Am I jaded? Yes.
The check is in the mail.
Doing business has taught me that this is such a funny statement. Now, we have direct deposit from our computers and we no longer need to use the USPS for such things. We can send a payment at midnight to someone anywhere. No need for postage. So there is just no excuse anymore. Don't even say it. It's a waste of your breath.
Katie come!
Katie has learned a new trick. She has learned that she can get my parents to say, "Katie COME! about fifty times before she actually has to do it and she STILL will get a treat. This makes me laugh because my mother will hang out the back door calling, "Katie? Come!" like twenty or so odd times until Katie comes jingling around the corner from our yard. It's about 50 feet but she can run it in like 8 seconds if she smells something she wants. I find the peanut butterfly to hold the record of like 7 seconds actually and Granny's apple pie sadly is 8 seconds consistently. So who is teaching who? I picked up Andrea Arden's pamphlet the other day and was reading her tips. I like how she teaches and I am really anxious to meet her one day soon. She seems really knowledgeable and I just want to learn from her.
Food food food!
THPG is another website I've visited recently and I have a packet of her stuff in my freezer for Katie to try this week. I'm happy to say it looks delicious.
Advertising
I've talked with so many advertisers and gotten the same message. What I cannot believe is how slick some of these people are. They try to get you to pay these exorbitant sums to put your ad out there. So if you really want to know the scoop on how much advertising costs, just try it yourself. You will see what I mean. It is expensive. I understand why a lot of people just do not go into business. I've been very lucky to be able to do this for my bakery. Watch for us in the upcoming dog magazines. We will be out there with a modest display but like I said, our treats really do speak for themselves. No pitch needed. It's simple and good. Cute too. Did I forget to say cute?
I feel I've ranted enough. Back to the baking;)
I was unable to go to the canine cruise because I had personal obligations, a friend had a bridal shower and because it was a surprise I didn't want to mention it here until after the event just in case she were to come over and read my blog. My friends do that on occasion and they read stuff then call me about it. That would have been a surprise spoiler for sure.
I did hear from my brother, Geoff, the official cruise videographer, that it was a fun time all around, lots of dogs got to enjoy our treats and it was a huge success. Congratulations to Rece Reid, the cruise organizer for doing something spectacular. Dogs from as far as North Carolina were here just to attend this event. It was the first NYC canine cruise and I think it will be one of many to come.
What did we serve? Here's our sign:
Get treats here!
Compliments of
The Honeybark Bakery
Gourmet Dog Treats & Pawty Cakes!
“The Canine Cruise Collection!”
A delectable collection of our treasured treats!
Ruffy Road “Riverboats”
Peanut butter & carob, two flavors that rock the boat!
Banana Bliss “Dreamboats”
It’s simply banana nirvana.
Peanut Butterfly “Powerboats”
No peanut butter lover can resist it’s power!
&
Granny’s Apple Pie Mini Bones
Our bestselling treat and a huge hit at Zoomies!
So all around, I think it was a big hit because I've gotten some great response from people who were on the cruise and said they really liked the treats we served.
PARTY!
Yes, there are a lot of party dogs out there. Birthday cakes are so cool and I'm actually doing a party tonight out in Freeport, NY. It's called Barkin' by the Bay and it's a little gathering of people called "The Party Animals" and we will be socializing and sharing treats. It's all good fun.
I've baked cakes for the party and I put my little cruiser boats on top. It's all very cute. I'm frosting them with my incredibly delicious creamy creamy cheese cinnamon/vanilla/honey frosting. It is absolutely "de-lick-ious!" Ask Katie. She licks all the frosting til it is all gone, then she eats the cake. I gave her one the other day because I did a sweet little individual sized birthday cake and she was waiting for me when I finished boxing the cake. She had the, "Where's MINE?!" look on her face so I gave her a mini one. She doesn't get cake every day. It's just on special occasions. That day was the, "I haven't had cake in a week," day. Ha. I do not kid you. She gets cake once a week at most. I bake cake every week for the weekend parties so she gets whatever is left over from that. Except on her birthday or a holiday. I also donate the cake that is left over from an order to shelters. I've done it a few times and it's a real feel good type thing for me. I've brought two tiered cakes over and it looks really cool for the shelter dogs to get a yummy cake like that. I think they like it. It's peanut butter so why wouldn't they?
I'm developing two new cake flavors but I think that for now peanut butter is the hit. I wish more people would try the carob cake and see that it is pretty yummy. I might bake that for tonight just to give people a taste of carob cake. Hmm...
I've noticed something interesting. People say stuff about being organic. I don't make any huge claims about my product. I tell people that I use organic ingredients. That's it. I don't use any additives or chemicals or preservatives. Why? It's just the fact that I bake the same stuff, the same treats that I developed just for Katie. These are wholesome goodies. It's the truth.
I came across some websites that say they are entirely organic or that they are members of ORGANIC ASSOCIATIONS. Um...sorry to be technical but, ANYONE can be a member of this just by paying dues. You receive newsletters and pay an annual membership fee. Just try it yourself and you will see this is true. I get a little disappointed by these treat makers that make these huge claims about their product. Why don't they just say their stuff is just good and leave it at that? I think that my product is the most amazing treat your dog will ever try. That's my deal. It's simple. Our treats appeal to people because they look good, cute, kind of adorable even. They smell good. There is cinnamon and nutmeg and fresh fruits, apples, bananas and real peanut butter. Real peanuts, carob chips and I use fresh meats, eggs, cheese. It's everything that a person wants to eat for themselves and I bake it all into my treats. It's good stuff. I designed them to look appealing because I think that you just need to feel good about what you eat and what you feed your dog. Some people say, "eh, I just give my dog a ----bone and he's fine." Okay. Let's just think back to the good days of our childhood....school cafeteria lunches. Remember those? Remember how they used to send us home with a calendar for our parents to see what we were eating each day? I remember it well...pizza on Monday, meatloaf on Tuesdays, spaghetti on Wednesdays, chicken cutlets or meatball heros on Thursdays and Fish sticks on Fridays. They would mix it up a little bit each week but basically it was the same, all year. After a while you wonder if there is anything else out there. Kids would have food fights with the food or just dump it. It gets boring. If you remember this, this is why I created Honeybark treats. You need to shake it up once in a while. Giving your dog something different and a real treat, a reward is a nice thing to do. It isn't a meal replacement. It's a treat. Treats are good. You like your occasional box of chocolate right? That's what Honeybark is about. Give your dog some Granny's Apple Pie, Peanut Butterfly treats, Banana Bliss pies or Ruffy Road (that's my carob chip/peanut butter treat) and watch your dog stop and sniff it. They need to investigate it first then they will try it. It's a totally new experience. It's like trying sushi for the first time. Sometimes people are skeptical. They sniff it. They wrinkle their noses. They look at it, examine it and then watch other people eat it. Then they try it, and they love it. They are hooked. But you don't eat sushi every day. Not even in Japan do they eat sushi every day. But it's a treat. Same concept, only your dog deserves a treat. You gotta take some home and let your dog try some on his own terms. Then you will really see how much they enjoy it. That's my two cents.
Junk mail rant
I'm getting a lot of junk mail since I started Honeybark. People find me. I've got a whole bunch of pet products just loading up my junk box. Wow. I know occasionally my email gets directed the wrong way so I check it for occasional customer questions and whatnot. I've found out that there is a guy out there who knows how to virtually rob banks. I don't know why he isn't in jail. Or maybe he IS in jail and he is emailing people telling them how to rob banks. Geez. Isn't THAT ironic. Then there are the people who tell me I've won stuff. Oh boy. I've won a lot of stuff according to these folks. I've won trips, homes, free dinners and all I have to do is answer five zillion questions. Then I get to sign up for a new credit card. Like I need another one of those. Watch out for those emails. I've also been approved for many loans. A multitude of people who want to help me with my business needs. I'd be Bill Gates if this were true. I have free Hoodia samples waiting for me and people in Africa who want me to earn thousands of dollars in a week just by depositing their checks for them and sending them a smaller amount. It's a wonderful service called a BIG LOAD OF SCAM! I cannot believe these people. They tell you how you can earn so much money by sending them a smaller amount after you deposit their check because they cannot exchange their money in the U.S. from their customers. So you send the money to them and then it turns out to be a scam and you actually have sent them your own money AND you have been penalized a huge amount from the bank for sending a bad check to them. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on these crooks. Oh how I long for the happy days of ignorant bliss where you can trust everyone and doubt few. That reversal of opinion seems to be what growing old is all about. Am I jaded? Yes.
The check is in the mail.
Doing business has taught me that this is such a funny statement. Now, we have direct deposit from our computers and we no longer need to use the USPS for such things. We can send a payment at midnight to someone anywhere. No need for postage. So there is just no excuse anymore. Don't even say it. It's a waste of your breath.
Katie come!
Katie has learned a new trick. She has learned that she can get my parents to say, "Katie COME! about fifty times before she actually has to do it and she STILL will get a treat. This makes me laugh because my mother will hang out the back door calling, "Katie? Come!" like twenty or so odd times until Katie comes jingling around the corner from our yard. It's about 50 feet but she can run it in like 8 seconds if she smells something she wants. I find the peanut butterfly to hold the record of like 7 seconds actually and Granny's apple pie sadly is 8 seconds consistently. So who is teaching who? I picked up Andrea Arden's pamphlet the other day and was reading her tips. I like how she teaches and I am really anxious to meet her one day soon. She seems really knowledgeable and I just want to learn from her.
Food food food!
THPG is another website I've visited recently and I have a packet of her stuff in my freezer for Katie to try this week. I'm happy to say it looks delicious.
Advertising
I've talked with so many advertisers and gotten the same message. What I cannot believe is how slick some of these people are. They try to get you to pay these exorbitant sums to put your ad out there. So if you really want to know the scoop on how much advertising costs, just try it yourself. You will see what I mean. It is expensive. I understand why a lot of people just do not go into business. I've been very lucky to be able to do this for my bakery. Watch for us in the upcoming dog magazines. We will be out there with a modest display but like I said, our treats really do speak for themselves. No pitch needed. It's simple and good. Cute too. Did I forget to say cute?
I feel I've ranted enough. Back to the baking;)
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Smoking the banana? What?!
So, my favorite place, Wikkipedia has never ceased to amaze me. I was looking up information about the banana today to just clarify that whole concept of trytophan "dreaminess" when I found this little blurb about people smoking banana peels. Yikes. That's just weird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#Smoking_banana_peels
Labor Day Pains
I am working this weekend so no rest for the weary. Blah. It's rainy so I feel kind of smug but no, not really. I wish it weren't so glum out. I wanted to BBQ. I've just spent way too long on Dog.com forums. It's just a way to pass the time. Also, spent some time reading about bananas (see first paragraph). I should be working, yes, but I'm procrastinating.
Gift Wrap
The cake orders have calmed down a bit. Whew! I'm working on my Fall line of treats and getting some ideas for the Canine Cruise. Fun stuff. I found some gorgeous treat jars that are plain but very cool looking. Plus I am really excited about the gift giving season. I have always loved wrapping gifts and presents and packing gift baskets. I've done quite a few in my time. I love the idea of putting together a theme basket. I have made picnic themed baskets, housewarming baskets, baby shower baskets and wedding/honeymoon baskets. I am not the basket Queen but yes, I do make a mean basket. Well, it's actually very pretty and sweet, not mean but you know what I'm saying. So now with my little doggy treats, I can do themes too. Okay, I'm getting a little doggy woggy but it's fun. Really! Since I have so many treats, I can really design some funky themes for my gift baskets. So keep your eyes out people...the gifts are on the way!
Dog's got rights man...
Came across this article and just had to comment on it. Well, it's about time somebody stood up for our furry friends. I've been rallying troops about dog owners' rights and apartment living. Why? I mean, yeah, I'm not living in an apartment anymore but I went through so...much trouble finding a pet friendly building before I got Katie and it was a nightmare. I was showed some really awful living spaces that needed some serious renovations. Half the time, I think that when a realtor sees a person in their twenties or thirties, they will think, "Oh good. That one can work on this apartment and do a lot of the fixing up." Yeah right. I was showed an apartment with the kitchen all blown up and the no counter or stove and the realtor was like, "Oh yeah! You could totally redo this kitchen space to your specs." I was thinking...um so that means take-out for months before this gets finished? Nuh uh. I like cooking and that just won't cut it. I also remember seeing an apartment that had a backdoor facing the complex pool and literally it was like 4 feet from the pool. I could imagine the traffic running by my patio every day during the summer. Kids are fun but poolside life was just not the kind of action I wanted to deal with on a daily basis. It's cool when you are actually visiting the pool but living there would be OOTQ. Let's get back to the article...so this lawyer practices animal law, helps to set up trusts, fight for the dog in dogbite issues and basically works to fight for tenant/pet owners rights is one of a group of lawyers that practice animal law. This is taught by about 70 law schools in the country now. I'm fascinated by this because it is and has been a much needed arena. I like the fact that these people are not necessarily animal rights activists but they are people, lawyers, that stand up for the rights of animals such as in cases of animal torture and setting up the pet trusts. That's very cool.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/fashion/03lawyers.html?pagewanted=1&ref=style
So, my favorite place, Wikkipedia has never ceased to amaze me. I was looking up information about the banana today to just clarify that whole concept of trytophan "dreaminess" when I found this little blurb about people smoking banana peels. Yikes. That's just weird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#Smoking_banana_peels
Labor Day Pains
I am working this weekend so no rest for the weary. Blah. It's rainy so I feel kind of smug but no, not really. I wish it weren't so glum out. I wanted to BBQ. I've just spent way too long on Dog.com forums. It's just a way to pass the time. Also, spent some time reading about bananas (see first paragraph). I should be working, yes, but I'm procrastinating.
Gift Wrap
The cake orders have calmed down a bit. Whew! I'm working on my Fall line of treats and getting some ideas for the Canine Cruise. Fun stuff. I found some gorgeous treat jars that are plain but very cool looking. Plus I am really excited about the gift giving season. I have always loved wrapping gifts and presents and packing gift baskets. I've done quite a few in my time. I love the idea of putting together a theme basket. I have made picnic themed baskets, housewarming baskets, baby shower baskets and wedding/honeymoon baskets. I am not the basket Queen but yes, I do make a mean basket. Well, it's actually very pretty and sweet, not mean but you know what I'm saying. So now with my little doggy treats, I can do themes too. Okay, I'm getting a little doggy woggy but it's fun. Really! Since I have so many treats, I can really design some funky themes for my gift baskets. So keep your eyes out people...the gifts are on the way!
Dog's got rights man...
Came across this article and just had to comment on it. Well, it's about time somebody stood up for our furry friends. I've been rallying troops about dog owners' rights and apartment living. Why? I mean, yeah, I'm not living in an apartment anymore but I went through so...much trouble finding a pet friendly building before I got Katie and it was a nightmare. I was showed some really awful living spaces that needed some serious renovations. Half the time, I think that when a realtor sees a person in their twenties or thirties, they will think, "Oh good. That one can work on this apartment and do a lot of the fixing up." Yeah right. I was showed an apartment with the kitchen all blown up and the no counter or stove and the realtor was like, "Oh yeah! You could totally redo this kitchen space to your specs." I was thinking...um so that means take-out for months before this gets finished? Nuh uh. I like cooking and that just won't cut it. I also remember seeing an apartment that had a backdoor facing the complex pool and literally it was like 4 feet from the pool. I could imagine the traffic running by my patio every day during the summer. Kids are fun but poolside life was just not the kind of action I wanted to deal with on a daily basis. It's cool when you are actually visiting the pool but living there would be OOTQ. Let's get back to the article...so this lawyer practices animal law, helps to set up trusts, fight for the dog in dogbite issues and basically works to fight for tenant/pet owners rights is one of a group of lawyers that practice animal law. This is taught by about 70 law schools in the country now. I'm fascinated by this because it is and has been a much needed arena. I like the fact that these people are not necessarily animal rights activists but they are people, lawyers, that stand up for the rights of animals such as in cases of animal torture and setting up the pet trusts. That's very cool.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/fashion/03lawyers.html?pagewanted=1&ref=style
Friday, September 01, 2006
Animal CPR
This is important. I'm not a vet but I wanted to post a link to the information here because many of us know that our dogs will oftentimes gobble down their food really fast. Yesterday, Katie ate at a recordbreaking speed! I guess too much parade festivities made her a little bit HUNGRY! Whoa.
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html
Charlotte Reed?
I just spoke with Charlotte Reed this morning. She called me and it was like an old friend calling. She launched immediately into conversation in such a way that it made me feel like my friend was calling. How very cool. So we talked about life in the pet business, her speaking schedules and social engagements and it was really fun. It struck me then that I was talking to a genuine pet celebrity at the time but now, I'm a little starstruck. Wowsers! She even invited me to come to her next party...whenever that will be, I'm not sure but she did extend the invitation and well, I'm okay with that:)
The Canine Cruise is coming into the dock for passenger boarding...
I'm still pretty excited about this event. It looks like it is going to be huge. From all the hype and publicity it's getting, this will be a groundbreaking event for NY. Very cool.
Freebies
Samples are cool. I am okay with sending people treats to try out on their dogs. I'm also alright with stores asking me for samples too but it gets a little expensive. A friend of mine was asking me if these people pay for shipping or what? I just shrugged and said, "Um, no. I just send them some treats." Well, then my friend looked at me in shock and horror like my head had exploded and said, "But Geri, you send out how many freebies a day?! You just sent out a ton of packages the other day!" Yes, true but what can I do? The people demand samples and I gotta oblige. Fortunately, I think that almost everyone who has asked me for samples has been really cool and ordered treats. That rocks!
Is anyone out there?
I'm so curious as to if anyone has seen my advertisements in The New York Dog or our Fido Friendly blurb. Part of me feels like it was just tossed into the wind with no real focus and thus brought no traffic back to us. I'm just not sure. So lots of lovely people have been offering me advice about "Focused advertising." I am not a marketer nor do I claim to be. I've been thinking of getting help on this topic but I don't know where. Besides that, all I really want to do is bake some healthy treats and get them out to the dogs. I've got some outstanding recipes and the dogs really love them. I just don't know what else I can do.
This is important. I'm not a vet but I wanted to post a link to the information here because many of us know that our dogs will oftentimes gobble down their food really fast. Yesterday, Katie ate at a recordbreaking speed! I guess too much parade festivities made her a little bit HUNGRY! Whoa.
http://members.aol.com/henryhbk/acpr.html
Charlotte Reed?
I just spoke with Charlotte Reed this morning. She called me and it was like an old friend calling. She launched immediately into conversation in such a way that it made me feel like my friend was calling. How very cool. So we talked about life in the pet business, her speaking schedules and social engagements and it was really fun. It struck me then that I was talking to a genuine pet celebrity at the time but now, I'm a little starstruck. Wowsers! She even invited me to come to her next party...whenever that will be, I'm not sure but she did extend the invitation and well, I'm okay with that:)
The Canine Cruise is coming into the dock for passenger boarding...
I'm still pretty excited about this event. It looks like it is going to be huge. From all the hype and publicity it's getting, this will be a groundbreaking event for NY. Very cool.
Freebies
Samples are cool. I am okay with sending people treats to try out on their dogs. I'm also alright with stores asking me for samples too but it gets a little expensive. A friend of mine was asking me if these people pay for shipping or what? I just shrugged and said, "Um, no. I just send them some treats." Well, then my friend looked at me in shock and horror like my head had exploded and said, "But Geri, you send out how many freebies a day?! You just sent out a ton of packages the other day!" Yes, true but what can I do? The people demand samples and I gotta oblige. Fortunately, I think that almost everyone who has asked me for samples has been really cool and ordered treats. That rocks!
Is anyone out there?
I'm so curious as to if anyone has seen my advertisements in The New York Dog or our Fido Friendly blurb. Part of me feels like it was just tossed into the wind with no real focus and thus brought no traffic back to us. I'm just not sure. So lots of lovely people have been offering me advice about "Focused advertising." I am not a marketer nor do I claim to be. I've been thinking of getting help on this topic but I don't know where. Besides that, all I really want to do is bake some healthy treats and get them out to the dogs. I've got some outstanding recipes and the dogs really love them. I just don't know what else I can do.
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