July of 2012. That was when my serious baking adventure began. I had been a chronic baker since I was young. I would always sign out cookbooks from the school library and make a rather large mess in my mother's kitchen but I somehow managed to make things that really tasted good.

Fast-forward to the summer of 2012. We already had the pleasure of one large dog named Dallas. He was a mix of lab, shepherd and border collie but he was all heart. He needed another dog in the house. We also had 3 cats but Dallas was finished teaching them the ways of the world. He needed a K9 companion.

Off we went to get our next boy, Gryphon (aka Gryphy, Gryphy-pants, Grippy and Not again!). He was a beautiful, tall, blue merle Australian Shepherd with the biggest tail possible, and he was so proud of it. He was being fed raw (not common at this time but still a healthy way to feed your dog) so I continued to feed him and his older brother Dallas this way. I didn't mind touching the raw meat and the occasional
chicken heart (which became known as “jelly beans”) . Only the best for our boys! The raw diet gave our older guy another 2 years of quality living and much less arthritis pain and skin issues.

Cue the baking...I always baked for my kids and my family so why not for my dogs???? After a lengthy and unsuccessful search for dog treats with no cr*p (wheat, soy, corn, animal by-product meal, preservatives-you know, cr*p!) I did my research and created my own recipe for healthy and tasty dog cookies. They were a hit right away! The name Nature Nut came from all our times walking Gryphy in the woods, the ponds, rivers, dog parks and camping spots and because they contained lots of peanut butter.
As time went on I made them for friends' dogs, family dogs, neighbours' dogs but my son suggested I make them into a small business. I thought he was kidding! What did I know as a veteran teacher about the world of business? I was about to learn (and I am still learning).

Fast-forward to August of 2022. I had recently retired and moved to the wonderful small community of Erin, Ontario from the big city. I had lots of time on my hands and there was a trunk sale at the local Baptist church in the town next to us. I decided to create packaging, design and print stickers and labels and decide on a price for my Nature Nut dog cookies. Dallas and Gryphy had crossed the rainbow several
years before so I didn't have them with me but their spirits certainly pushed me on to do this! You go, mama! Keep making these cookies for other dogs you meet! and so I did. I sold 6 bags at that Baptist church trunk sale in Hillsburgh, Ontario and it was the start of what I am proud to say is a growing business of only the best allergen-friendly dog cookies, Just Dried single-ingredient pet treats for dogs, cats and small animals and my Dandy Apple healthy horse cookies.

Thank you to Gryphy, Dallas, Milly, Arlo and Teddy-all the animals who were a great inspiration for all my products. What started off as Gryphy's Cookie Jar has now grown into the Blue Rose Pet Bakery. The sky's the limit.