PetSugar

Out and About: New York's Buttercup's PAW-tisserie

PetSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:00:23 -0800

Buttercup's PAW-tisserie is often featured in my pet snack or people snack quizzes because they stock (and bake) some of the cutest animal yums around! This gourmutt dog bakery specializes in freshly baked, all natural and healthy treats with no added sugar, salt, or preservatives. They use only the highest quality, human-grade ingredients like fresh meat, roasted peanuts, organic carrots, fresh spinach, and carob and all biscuits are handmade, rolled, cut and then slow baked to perfection. Furthermore, the snacks are soy and corn free and are lab analyzed for protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content helping pup keep that boyish (or girlish) figure. Located in Park Slope, in addition to their special occasion pupcakes and truffles, stock up on great everyday treats here as well – perhaps after a stop by nearby Prospect Park, too!

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Out and About: Tennessee's River Dog Bakery

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:30:59 -0800

What's a pet owner to do if they find themselves with a pooch that's allergic to many dog treats and foods and living in a town with no animal specialty shops? Yup, as you probably guessed, long time caterers Pam and Brian Trainor decided to open their own. Knoxville's River Dog Bakery now makes and bakes all treats in the in-store kitchen and started with a simple, crunchy biscuit called Nicholas Nibble Bones safe for their Golden Retriever, Nick. A hit with their pooch and lucky friends and family members, they became inspired to branch out to other treats like Bowser Brownies and Snicker Poodles. All snacks use human-grade ingredients with no additives, preservatives, or artificial colorings or flavors, and come in different flavors, sizes, and textures. The store now includes salmon and tuna treats for kitties, pet products, and their current Golden Retriever, Cooper, who loves to greet shop visitors in addition to being their official taste tester.

Click here to share your own tips with PetSugar's Out and About travel group - and stay tuned as our week of Tennessee continues.

Wedding Cakes for Your Furry Family

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:00:40 -0700

Since we're full steam ahead bringing you all things wedding here on the Sugar Network, it's time to talk planning. If wedding bells will be ringing for your pets sometime soon, then you'll want to start thinking about the best part of the whole event: the cake!

Now, as much as we all enjoy stuffing our faces with some cake during big events, some common ingredients can be harmful to animals. Make sure that the cake you get (or make yourself) is pet-friendly. For example, chocolate is toxic to dogs, but it's an easy fix by substituting carob instead. If you don't have time to slave away in the kitchen, don't be embarrassed to let the pros handle it. Animal bakeries are popping up all over the country and are becoming quite a hit here in SF, too. North and I love heading past Bella and Daisy's for their special doggie treats when we're in the area, and bet they could whip up a sweet pet wedding cake. But what about this three-tiered wonder? Find out when you read more.

Even if you don't live near a bakery that caters to the four-legged species, this Dog Wedding Cake ($140) from Paw Palace can be made to your specifications, uses all human grade ingredients, and doesn't use sugar or preservatives. But the best part is that it can be shipped right to your door on the wedding day! Besides, the mother (or father) of the bride has more important things to worry about on the big day than baking a cake, right?

To check out more of our wedding coverage, head over to I Do Sugar.

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Happy Birthday, North: Location, Location, Location

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:20 -0700

While I haven't given North a party in years, this year needs to be special – he's our resident celebripup on the site after all! There are so many options for having a doggie-friendly event – like Molly's party for Oliver's first birthday last year – and it's easy to get bogged down by the details.
After deliberating about North's fiesta for weeks, I've settled on an intimate gathering at a friend's backyard! This way there won't be any uninvited guests eating North's cake, safe space for my pooch to ~~pee~~ play . . . and plenty of room for any spillage (that doesn't involve cleaning carpets or sofas)! There are many options for holding an event for a pet – other than someone's house – check out my list when you read more.

People park: A park with an off-leash area is a great place to throw a party for dogs! If you're lucky enough to have one with a picnic area, get there early to stake out a spot and bring balls for people and pets to play with.
Dog park: This is a tad trickier, but a fun place for an insta-party. Check with the rules of the park and then get to planning. Bring enough supplies for everyone like party hats for the people – and stake out a spot outside the park with special treats for the pups – sharing is caring – and both of you could make great friends in the process!
Rented room: If money's no object, rent a dog-friendly room or event space! Some pet stores, like Atlanta's Hipbone Pet offer rooms for your private party. If you're lucky enough to have a BFF at a doggie bakery or pet store, these are already guaranteed dog-friendly spots that may let you stop by off hours for your gala.
Daycare: If your dog's best pals are at daycare, ask them if they ever allow private or semi-private events like NYC's Biscuits & Bath. Keep in mind it may cost per pet, and likely impossible to bring dogs without proof of vaccinations.

Have more great location ideas of your own? Share them below!

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Groomer Has It Recap: "Chow Time"

PetSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:45:00 -0700

I'd have to say the Quick Sniff Challenge segment was my fave part of the last episode of Groomer Has It. This week the remaining groomers had to create an impromptu, original dog snack for Mark Bodner, owner of Three Dog Bakery, to review. Bowls of essentials (wheat flour and cornmeal) were provided along with mix-ins like apples, carrots, yams, carob, and spices like cinnamon and coconut. In what Jonathan called "Iron Chef, Doggie-style," it was so funny to watch these nonchefs concoct treats for picky pups. Winners were judged on the tastiest – yes, they had to test their creations, too! – and most nutritious treats with Jessica coming out on top for committing to her treat and concept. She was the only one to choose a savory flavor and created a super-cheesy snack she couldn't stop snacking on herself.

In keeping with the "chow" theme, the groomers next had to put their talents to the test against one of the most notoriously tricky breeds to groom, the Chow Chow. Find out who came out as top dog when you read more.

Rebounding from a weak performance last week, Artist came out on top with Jasper close behind. I'm happy with this decision – and hope that it gives the super-funny and quirky Artist needed confidence booster to keep him strong in the weeks ahead (with only six groomers remaining)!

Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets This Saturday!

PetSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:00:17 -0800

Hey there, Isaboo! Are you excited for a yummy snack? North and I are psyched to learn what's cooking on Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets, an hour-long special airing tomorrow at 9 p.m. on Food Network. In addition to watching Rachael prepare three homemade recipes for her beloved dog, we'll follow her on several other wild adventures including meeting some hardworking dogs on a Colorado cattle ranch, hiking with llamas, and checking out a fashionable New England pet bakery! I don't know about you, but I'm hoping to pick up some new recipes to add to my repertoire, and hear advice on safe and healthy food for animals from her on-hand pet nutritionist.

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Super Tuesday's Super Snacks!

PetSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:00:43 -0800

Liberty and Citizen have been all abuzz about this big day! They're so psyched, they've even come up with their own name for today's primaries – Super-Duper Tsunami-rageous Tuesday Extravaganza-palooza. Whoa!

So, in honor of the important political activities, I wanted to let North get in on the action and show his support with biscuits by Capital Dog Bakery. Treat your own "demodog" and "republipooch" with organic donkeys and elephants – just between us, both cutouts are peanut butter and honey-flavored, guaranteeing your pup will love you (and them) no matter what party your family supports! Best yet though, they can cast their votes every time they nibble!

Globetrotters: Sugar & Champagne Affair in D.C.

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:00:58 -0800

Getting the sniff of approval from whiffs by the visiting pooches, this year's Sugar & Champagne Affair definitely got four paws up! For the sixth year running, pastry chefs from some of Washington, D.C.'s finest restaurants and bakeries whipped and dipped desserts for metro area pets and their people. Produced in conjunction with the Washington Humane Society, proceeds from this benefit go towards the metro area animal welfare workers and the canines (and felines) they rescue. This year's gala was hosted by Todd and Ellen Gray of Equinox and featured delights from Bistro Bis and IndeBleu . . . to name a few! See another cute photo from the event when you read more.

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New Year of Gifts: Treat of the Month Club

PetSugar — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0800

There are bunches of pet barkeries, bakeries, and bake shops that will ship treats straight to your lucky pooches . . . you can order up a new batch for special holidays or when your supplies run low. However, if you're like me and can't be bothered with the little details, sign up for a treat of the month club. Some companies offer a pay up front for 12 months plan, others have series of 3 month plans you can add or cancel at any time, and fear not, kitties, there's even one for you, too!

If you're not sure where to start, my top pick is the freshly-baked snack offerings of the Kool Dog Kafe (very popular in our Your Snack or Dog Snack challenges) – they have 6- and 12-month plans . . . and they include a free birthday cake for your pup's special month, free-of-charge with a 12 month membership. The yearlong package costs $19.99 a month, and includes all shipping charges. If you've got a house full of pups, here's a nice way to celebrate them – and, maybe they'll even learn the months while you're at it!

Cookies for Pups: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:37:33 -0700

Don't be fooled. Although, at first glance, they may look like your midmorning snack, these "yums" are actually for the dogs. The cute Halloween cookies above are almost $3 a pop, a steep price for something North can devour in three seconds flat. But then again, I've seen more pet bakeries, barkeries, and paw-tisseries popping up all over the place, and even my local pet shops are starting to stock gourmet animal treats that look like my treats. What's your take on fancy-looking foods like pet cookies and pupcakes – are they an absolute necessity or an extravagant luxury?