Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Forget about the name-brand dog treats at the grocery store.
Cindy Stier has something your dog may like better.
"What we make," she said, "is all-natural gourmet dog treats."
She sells the snacks under the label "Spotty Dog Barkery." The name Spotty Dog is because her two terriers are spotty dogs. Barkery, she said, came from the television show "Providence," which features a business with the same play on words.
She began making and selling the dog treats herself in mid-May. "The response has been so great. I started at Farmer's Market and it just took off," she said.
She also sold the dog treats during Downtown Days. They sold so well, more had to be made to keep up with demand, she said.
"We have a lot of repeat customers," said Cindy's daughter, Sagan.
The Stiers make dog bone treats and "Puppy Pops." Puppy Pops are like popsicles and even the stick can be eaten by the dog.
There are seven different flavors: Carob; Pawlickin Chicken; Pizza; Peamutt Butter; Bark-BQ; Toasted Cinnamon Oatmeal; and Waffles.
"(Dogs) love them," Cindy said. "My neighbor's dog comes over and begs for one every morning."
Only all-natural ingredients are used. Some of the ingredients are wheat flour, unbleached flour, carob, honey and eggs.
"We don't use sugar because dogs can't have sugar," said Sagan, who helps make the gourmet dog treats.
Cindy also adds herbs to the dog treats.
Unlike store brands, Cindy said her dog treats have "no preservatives."
Sagan adds, "Some of those at the store can last longer than your dog."
"It's probably better than the stuff we eat ourselves," Cindy said.
"We found everything (to make the dog treats) on the Internet - even my dog bone cookie cutters!"
Cindy's family helps make the dog treats when possible. When Cindy's mom was visiting from California, she got into the act, too.
They can make 50 to 60 little dog treats at a time. The process of making and baking them takes anywhere from a half-hour to 1-1/2 hours.
The little ones are sold by the dozen for $4, while the bigger ones are sold by the half dozen for $3. Puppy Pops are $1 each.
"We also sell bandannas for the dogs," said Sagan. The bandannas have velcro on them for the dog to get them off easily if they should get caught on something. They sell for $4 each and come in three different sizes - small, medium and large.
Stier sells the dog treats at the Farmer's Market every Saturday. She said she plans to have a Web site soon to sell them online.
In the future, "I'd like to grow (the business) some, through the Internet. I'd like to have my (own) Barkery some day."
Dog owners, Cindy said, are more likely to be enthralled by the dog treats. Sometimes, she said she gets funny looks from people (who probably don't have a dog).
Orders can also be made by calling Stier at 267-5465.
