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Spike's Story It all began back in 2004 after Carol and Edd adopted me from the SPCA and tried to make friends by offering me a commercial treat. Some treat! They were awful – I didn’t mean to be ungrateful, but I just couldn’t eat them. There was something about the taste. They tried other brands, but they were really not that different. I felt bad about it, but it turned out to be for the best. It made them look at the list of ingredients on the packets and were obviously shocked by what they read in the small print. I heard them talking about how humans today are getting more and more conscious of their own diets, increasingly avoiding chemicals, preservatives, additives and all the rest by turning to naturally-grown and reared foods. So why not, I overheard, shouldn’t we be thinking the same way about our pets, too. After all they are adorable companions and they don’t ask for much in return for all they give. Too right! Anyway, the next thing that happened was that Edd’s daughter-in-law Dawn was across from Calgary and she set about baking banana biscotti for them and as they nibbled them with their coffee they offered me one, too. Well, it was scrumptious. No doubt about it. And apparently good for me, too, what with all that energy stored in bananas! To cut a long story short, that gave Carol and Edd the idea of going into business making tasty treats from wholesome, natural ingredients right here in our own kitchen. They’ve never looked back; in fact the baking business grew so quickly it was named Home-Based Business of the Year here in the Comox Valley in 2006. Pet Treat Bakery has become a baker of the highest quality (from my sampling I can vouch for that) and the recipes they use are pretty interesting, too. The range includes meat-free and wheat-free treats for dogs with allergies or digestive troubles, and even low-calorie vegetarian treats for the pudgier pooch – don’t look at me when you read that! But whether mainstream or speciality, they’re all SO tasty. I should know, because I’m the chief taste tester. If I don’t like a new variety, it doesn’t get to market. The treats come with a ‘dog-gone good’ guarantee to please your pet or you get your money back. I’ve not seen any money being given back, which doesn’t surprise me, but I know they mean it. The treats are now in big demand right across Vancouver Island, not just in our house – although there is a bigger call for them now as I’m no longer the only four-legged member of the family. Since I arrived I’ve been joined by my mate Rocky the bichon/schitz tzu – and last year two feline females, Foxxy and Stinky, were adopted by Carol and Edd. I’m glad to report we’re just one big happy family – and being acknowledged as chief taste tester must be one of the best jobs in the world.
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