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Table Scraps

Teddy treats worth wagging a tail

By Teddy Fitzgerald

I am a pretty particular pooch and no, Teddy Treats isn’t my business. While the 100 per cent natural product is eaten up by the pawfuls at the Whistler Animals Galore hostel hangout, the hard-dried meaty product doesn’t catch my fancy.

I am more of the biscuit faring dog when barbecue chicken isn’t an option. (I’m a pretty animal friendly guy, so I like the free-range poultry from Nesters Market.)

A cookie monster at heart, I love our weekly trips to Whistler's Farmers’ Market, every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Whistler Upper Village located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain.

It’s the easiest place in town to find: just follow the trail of popcorn left by the fanatics who visit the popcorn booth.

Mom loves the fresh produce and out-of-this-world, handmade chocolate gems from Sweet Sarahendipity, but me, I head straight for the Canine Confections Bakery for Dogs kiosk.

The bacon and liver cookie, peanut butter carbo swirls and bark-scotti are my favourite, although there are lots to choose from, including apple cinnamon bites, cheese and garlic bites, veggie cookies and even fresh breath bites for those Lady-and-the-Tramp spaghetti dates.

I like a little variety in my snacks, so mom buys them individually, ranging from 50 cents to 80 cents each. There are also baker’s dozen packages for $5 and up.

She didn’t think I heard her, but mom is ordering a barkable birthday cake for me later this month. Cakes in heart, bone or square shapes, ranging from $13 to $22, are available in peanut butter, carrot, beef or chicken flavours. All cakes are frosted with cream cheese or carob. The cake comes with a paw-ty with balloon, candles, birthday card, a personalized peanut butter bone plus a goodie bag. Extra goodie bags are $3.

Squamish baker Debbie Quinn makes all of her products from natural ingredients with lots of love – you can taste it.

If you miss the market, you can also find her treats for dogs, cats and horses at her Squamish bakery on 2 nd Avenue in Squamish. To order cakes, call 604-815-4219.

Treats are sometimes more about the dining experience rather than the biscuit itself. The girls at the TD Bank always give me a warm welcome with a milk bone as a reward for my cute antics. A trip to Eddie Bauer wields home baked organic treats for pet window shoppers.

Chris Quinlan always pours a fresh bowl of water for me at Behind the Grind and I usually get to catch up on the latest gossip with Chris’s dog, Bear. The coffee shop doesn’t have just an ordinary dog dish. It’s all about lapping it up in style with one of Penny Martyn’s customized ceramic dog bowls. The brightly coloured bowls with customized names are perched on cartoon-like dog feet. Penny made one for me as a welcome gift when I first moved to Whistler last fall. The bowls are for sale at Skitch in the village or by calling her home studio at 604-932-0671.

But what’s really got me tail wagging these days is the fourth annual K9 Wine and Dine Sunday, Aug. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Resort. The fundraiser for our local animal shelter, WAG, includes a barbecue buffet for humans and specialized three-course set menu from The Three Dog Bakery for pooches. Sonora Ranch by Mission Hill, Sumac Ridge and See Ya Later Ranch are sponsoring the event so wine is included with the human dinner.

There is plenty to do, including live music from the Hairfarmers, a doggy fashion show, dog and owner photos, a slide show, paw imprints, paw readings, and a live and silent auction. All proceeds benefit WAG. Whistler council reduced funding for the shelter this year, so public support is needed more than ever.

There are very few chances I get to take my mom out, so I am really excited about our special evening.

Tickets are $45 for humans and $20 for mutts. For tickets, call WAG at 604-935-8634.