Ginger - Good For your 
Doggie


Yes, ginger is high in vitamins and minerals, and it has many health benefits such as anti-viral, anti-toxic and anti-fungal.
It can be very good at relieving carsickness in doggies as will decrease the vomiting and nausea.
It is good for tummy problems, and it can help with reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. Ginger can also help treat allergies as it is a antihistamine.
Studies also prove that ginger can improve blood circulation and help lower your dogs cholesterol levels.
Today I've just made some Ginger and Molasses Doggie Bone Shaped Biscuits, yum yum............

Herbs That Are Good For Dogs

Rosemary


Is high in calcium, iron and vitamin B6.  It acts as a anti-oxident and aids digestion. 
It is also good for your doggies heart and helps calm the nerves.
My Lamb Treats are packed full with fresh rosemary from my garden.....yum

                 Hardwick Park Visitor Centre

Just delivered some doggie treats to my latest stockist, Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield, County Durham. Which is now a Visit England accredited attraction.  You can stroll through the historic parkland, admiring the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife.  There is also a education centre with cafe and gift shop.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead between 9-6pm and during bird nesting season.
I saw loads of doggies while I was there so hopefully will be heading into the shop for some doggie treats.....

Pumpkin Seeds - A Yummy Treat!

Whilst researching ingredients for a new product I am developing, I came across some interesting facts about pumpkin seeds.....

Pumpkin seeds are healthy for your dog and actually are a natural way to de-worm dogs.  They also rich in protein, essential fatty acids, magnesium and minerals that help your dog live a healthy lifestyle.  They can also be used to treat blood hypertension and chronic diseases.

You can either grind into a powder and add to feed, or pulse in a food processer till small knibs. 
Pumpkin seeds don't have a long shelf life so check the date!...

BISHOP AUCKLAND FOOD FESTIVAL

Welly gives home-baked biscuits wag of approval

TASTY treats for man’s best friend will be on offer from a fledgling business visiting the Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

TAKING THE BISCUIT: Alison’s dog Welly stands guard over home-baked Wellybix treats

Alison Walton set up Wellybix after making her dog Welly some biscuits before Christmas 2012.

The keen baker, of Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle, received such positive feedback after handing out the treats as presents to friends with dogs, she decided to set up her own business.

Less than 12 months on, Wellybix products are on sale in more than 20 outlets, and Mrs Walton is looking forward to sharing them with more people at this month’s food festival.

Mrs Walton said: “I had to give up work to care for my mother and it was at that point I thought I can now have a dog.

BIGGEST FAN: Alison Walton, of Romaldkirk, has set up a dog biscuit company Wellybix after her dog Welly fell in love with her baking

“I decided one day to make some biscuits for Welly, which is where the (company) name came from and it just went from there.

“I started to research it on the internet and discovered it is the fastest-growing new start-up business in America. I got loads of ideas, made them and handed them out. People said I should sell them.

“Welly is my chief tester. I tell him he is the happiest dog in County Durham. He has a choice of biscuits available.”

She started selling them at craft fairs, but now plans to expand her audience with a number of food festivals, including Bishop Auckland and Leyburn.

In addition to biscuits, she is now selling dog cupcakes, which are also proving very popular.

“I am very passionate about what I am doing and I think that is the driving force. I haven’t been to the Bishop Auckland Food Festival before, so I don’t know what to expect.

“I make everything fresh, so I will have a lot of work to do in the days leading up to it, but I am looking forward to it.”

We're in the News!
Today Welly and I are in the Northern Echo it shows a photo of us at Bishop Auckland Castle promoting our stall at the Food Festival on 26th/27th April selling Treats and yummy pupcakes .......

Four-legged friends in for a treat at food festival

4:09pm Tuesday 8th April 2014 in Bishop Auckland News

WELLYBIX TREATS: Alison Walton with her dog Welly ahead of the Bishop Auckland Food Festival

THERE will be something to tickle everyone's taste buds at a popular food festival this month, including the four-legged visitors.

Alison Walton, of Barnard Castle, will be taking her hand-baked healthy dog treats company Wellybix to the Bishop AucklandFood Festival.

“I'm really excited about doing the food festival,” she said. "It's great that we have such a fantastic location on our doorstep for this event.

“Everyone is so interested in local food and producers these days; how brilliant that there will be the chance to wander around and try so many locally-produced goodies here in County Durham.

“And I’ll have doggie biscuits and pupcakes to make sure any four-legged visitors are happy too.”

She set up Wellybix in 2013 after she began supplying local hotels and holiday cottages with her products.

Approved by a veterinary laboratory, the treats are available in three flavours, all of which have been personally approved by her two-year-old Jack Russell, Welly. There will also be a wheat-free treat for pets who suffer from a wheat intolerance.

For more information about the festival, which takes place on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 in Bishop Auckland market place and the grounds of Auckland Castle, visit bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk

Herby-licious
One of the best things about cooking for your doggie is that you can tailor make the meals, making it easier to add in some healthy extras such as herbs.  I love cooking with fresh herbs from my little garden and add them to all my doggie treats.   You can use them fresh chopped or buy them dried, and you can add half a teaspoon per day to your doggies dinner.  Remember if your dog has a specific medical condition you should always check with the vet first.  The easiest herb to probably grow, or get from your local shop is Parsley, which contains lots of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
So go on, give it a go.......

Cooking for your pet 
Is very rewarding and it's good to know exactly what goes into their dinner is fresh and nourishing. As the pet owner of Welly my JRT it is very satisfying to see him tucking into something I have prepared at home just for him, lucky dog......
We all lead busy lives, and I know our pets aren't always at the top of the list. But, feeding our doggie is our responsibility. So a combination of homemade and a good quality food should work well all round......

PHOTO SHOOT

Today Welly and I did photo shoot at Auckland Castle at Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
This was for  press release advertising the Bishop Auckland Food Festival on 26/27th April 2014 held in the Castle grounds.
Ted the resident Castle dog, a Border Terrier was also there for Welly to play with.... they were both very naughty and would not sit for the photographer..... Ted kept pinching all the pupcakes BOL WOOF......

Hardwick Park

Today dropped off some doggie treats to a new stockist, Hardwick Park. 
Hardwick Park is a now a Visit England accredited attraction.  You can stroll through the historic parkland, admiring the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife.
It has a visitor centre, gift shop and cafe.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead between 9-6pm and at all times during bird nesting season.
So check them out for a great day out with all the family including the dog.....
Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham.