Liza Mitchell
It doesn’t take much to make a dog happy; a good ear scratch, belly rub, or tasty treat will usually do the trick. Several gourmet and specialty pet boutiques in Jacksonville offer natural and creative ways to serve your dogs—and cats—unique treats with fresh, all-natural ingredients that taste great and are good for them. Your pal will adore you and shower you with wags, twirls, and yips of delight.
At Redbones Dog Bakery and Boutique in Amelia Island (809 S. 8th Street, Amelia Island 321-0020), owner Martinique Lemke and her assistant Ashley McGee set out nine years ago to make scrumptious treats made with fresh apples, carrots, pineapple, peanut butter, and cheese. All the snacks available at Redbones are baked daily and sweetened with honey, vanilla and bananas—no sugar. Dogs are welcomed in the store, and samples are always available. Redbones also specializes in kitty treats.
In Atlantic Beach, SaltyPaws Healthy Pet Market (677 Atlantic Blvd., 372-9433, www.saltypawsmarket.com) is a locally-owned and family-operated pet boutique specializing in healthy, natural products. They also hold a wide array of seminars, canine leadership training, animal adoption, and after-hour events that contribute to a pet-family community. Yappy Hour will be held from 4-6pm June 1 at Southern Grounds & Co. featuring live music, half off beer and wine, doggie pools, homemade treats, a photo booth, and free goat milk shots for the furry attendees.
Pawfection Bakery (www.pawfectionbakery.com)is a family owned dog treat bakery specializing in all-natural baked goods prepared with no preservatives. The chemical-free dog treats made with human-grade ingredients. While Pawfection doesn’t operate from a traditional brick and mortar location, their treats are available at various locations throughout the city. The specialty treats resemble the real thing like canine-friendly poptarts, cinnamon rolls, made-to-order cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Seasonal iced and specialty treats are prepared with whole wheat flour, cornmeal, vegetable oil, and yogurt for Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, and even football season. Custom treats based on dietary restrictions can also be made with gluten free, grain free, and wheat free options.
Bark Downtown (45 W. Adams St, 518-7836, www.thebarkboutique.com) offers a wide selection of holistic dog food options, packaged treats, and all-natural chew treats. Pups can snack on personalized birthday cakes, cupcakes, pup tarts, designer cookies, and the popular peanut butter bar made with all-natural ingredients, no sugar, salt, soy, or hydrogenated oils. The all natural Dogsbutter is a simple concoction of peanuts, golden flaxseed and palm fruit oil. Bark on Park is located in Historic 5 Points Riverside (356-4530) and Bark Downtown is located in on West Adams Street in downtown Jacksonville.
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