CHICKEN or beef?
There are even oats and peanut butter. Or a mixture of the three flavours. And do not forget the carrots and sweet potato. All with a healthy pinch of much-needed vitamins and minerals to keep coats glossy.
What started as a traumatic and life-changing experience, has now grown into a ‘barking mad’ business idea – with dogs all over St Francis Bay and surrounding areas, and the occasional horse or two, enjoying healthy home-made biscuits.
The idea of concocting special canine recipes popped into tourism expert Juan Marx’s (42) head, while at home recovering from an extensive operation, during which a brain tumour was removed in October last year – less than a week after the diagnosis.
“I worked in the tourism industry. It was all very busy with long hours, but I really enjoyed it . . . and then I got sick,’’ says Marx. “I was not able to work for a long time.”
After being at home for several months, he decided to exchange the fast-paced corporate world – which he loved so much – for passion and a more relaxed lifestyle. All the while ma-king a difference. Inspired by the number of creative St Francis Bay residents all making their own products – like handmade bags, fairies, glass fusion art and skin care products – Marx and Lara du Randt (38) set about researching for an unfilled niche in the local market.
Noticing the large number of four-legged companions and non-profit animal organisations in the area, was the eureka moment.
“Wherever you go, there are dogs – even at some of the restaurants. They are everywhere,” says Marx.
“We noticed that there were no healthy or natural dog biscuits in the marketplace. Thus, we set about researching what might make a healthy treat for dogs and then started to develop several recipes – combining our creativity and passion for cooking and baking.
“Some of the recipes proved to be a challenge at the beginning, but that did not deter us from finding the perfect basic recipe to which we can add an array of ingredients – all natural and pet-friendly off course.
“They are also safe for humans to eat.”
The testing panel? Friends and family’s dogs were roped in. And they were all very satisfied customers.
With the pawsome prototypes getting the wagging tail, Doggy Delights opened in January this year – selling their biscuits at the Milkwood Market in Jeffreys Bay, and now also online after the nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Only four months later, dogs all over – even as far as Port Elizabeth – are woofing down their treats.
Marx says, ‘’The feedback is very favourable.”
The pawfect treat
According to him, the bone-shaped biscuits are made with love, using only the best natural ingredients – providing a healthy alternative to treat your furry friend with.
“We use stone ground unbleached wheat flour as a base to produce various flavours: chicken, beef, oats and peanut butter and marble which is a mixture of flavours.”
Special flavoured or dietary specified dog biscuits can be made on request, for example, sweet potato or carrot. And even biscuits for horses – which they have already made.
“Our products do not contain theobromine, additives, sugar, salt or any other ingredients that are harmful to dogs. The biscuits are also free from artificial colourants, flavourants and preservatives.”
More information
The biscuits cost between R25 and R50 (450g) per packet and are delivered free in St Francis Bay and surrounding areas. They are also available at The Bakery in St Francis Bay. They hope to sell their dogs biscuits at farm stalls in the near future.
Contact Doggy Delights at 072 815 5960 or send an email to doggybiscuitsec@gmail.com.
Alternatively, visit their Facebook Page (doggydelights) or Instagram (#ourdoggydelights).
