a dog's life...

is a dog's life so bad...

                                                          

  

    By any measure, a dog's life today doesn't compare to the bare bones like existence of most four-legged critter's life 70 years ago.  We are in an age of, What can I do as a human being to make my dog's life easier.  

   HUH?  What's up with that?

  Back in the day, most canines in the neighborhood, and there were many, lived in a dog house in the back yard.  Few lived in the luxury of a warm residence alongside its owners. When temperatures plummeted, Fido was brought indoors for a rare overnight stay. 

   An exception to that dictum were the three boxers owned over an eight year period of time by the George Family.  Ace, Blade, and, Rusty, lived indoors with us and when compared to their counterparts, each one had a luxurious life.

  Prior to the three boxers, we had a puppy or two, but, they lived outdoors and I barely remember them. 

  Ace was my dad's favorite and the dog really belonged to him.  This dog was the pet my dad never had as a child.  Ace shadowed him 24/7 and even went to work with Joe until one day deciding he must answer the call of the wild.  We searched high and low for him for two or three days, but, Ace was forever gone.  

  Blade was next, but, he was super aggressive and we didn't find out until it was too late.  He was sold to a business owner as a watchdog.  By then, he had taken a chunk of flesh out of one or two of us. 

  Rusty was the last effort mom and dad made to provide us with a pet.  I do not remember his outcome, but, he was only a George for a short time.  

  Feeding time for all three boxers meant opening a can of Rival Dog Food. I remember It was horrible smelling.  Today's smorgasbord would be enough to brighten up any dog's life compared to who knows what was really in that can.  

  Old school dog treats were some kind of composite of various ingredients, but, all three boxers loved them.  I can't imagine how they would have reacted if Three Dog Bakery had been open during those years.   

  When we opened in the late 90s, we were the third or fourth dog bakery in the country, Shelby Simpson told me.  We are kind of like a franchise, but, a loosely based one. 

  What was the inspiration behind the store's name?

  Three dogs opened this store, he replied.  Sarah, Dottie, and, Gracie.  Gracie was a Great Dane and it was hard to find things for her to eat.  It was one of my dreams to work with animals and make sure they have healthy, natural treats, so, I decided to open Three Dog Bakery.

  All of your baked goods are in displays just like you would see in a people bakery.  Where do these goodies come from?  

  I have a baker who comes in five days a week for eight hours a day, he informed me. 

   Does the baker come up with the variety of treats?

  Sometimes it is him, sometimes me, and, sometimes customers, he answered.  Around Derby time, we do all sorts of special things.

  What sells the best?  What is your top seller?

  Dog birthday cakes sell the most, he said.  We do all different shapes and sizes.  

  What about flavor or kinds of cakes?  Is there a variety?

  Absolutely, he affirmed.  We can bake peanut butter cakes, carob, vanilla, blueberry, lots of different flavors.     

  How long will these goodies last?  

  Most of them will last several weeks or even a couple months, he responded.  It depends on if they are refrigerated or not.  

  Can you divulge what they are made of?

   Not really, it is a trade secret, but, they are all made from natural ingredients, he replied.  

  Have you ever had a dog owner want to sample the pastries?

  Oh, sure, he smiled.  We can eat anything in here but there isn't any sugar, animal fats, or fillers, so, it won't taste as good to us, but, we can certainly eat any of it.  

  When repeat customers come through the door, do you know their dog's name?

  Oh, absolutely, he assured me.  I know the dogs and sometimes the people.

  So, the dogs come with their owners?

  Yes, they do, until they learn how to drive.

  Sure.

  Coming up:  Another POS; a job$ somebody's gotta do, and; another oddities, observations, & ?'s.   

  And, finally.  Lately, I have been questioning the origins of some of my favorite foods.  The latest is cheddar cheese.  So, I Googled, Is the cheddar flavor in cheese a chemical?  Here is the answer.

  Yes, the flavor of cheddar cheese is a result of various chemical compounds that develop during the cheese making process.  These compounds are produced through a combination of microbiological, enzymatic, and chemical reactions.  Specifically, the breakdown of proteins and fats by bacteria and enzymes, along with the presence of certain volatile compounds, contribute to the characteristic taste of cheddar. 

  HUH?  What's up with that?