Publisher's Paw

Puppy Love: Give your pooch pal a drool-worthy Valentine

5th February, 2010 - Posted by Heather Davis - No Comments

BY HEATHER DAVIS

He’s the date of your dreams: he’s warm, affectionate, makes you laugh and lavishes you in kisses when you walk through the door. Why not pay your pup back with an equally awesome Valentine treat?

I, for one, have vowed to take my out beloved mutts, Molly and Shelby, on a Valentine outing. First up is a romp at either Centennial or Shelby Dog Park (oh, decisions!) to shake off their combined case of cabin fever. Both leash-free parks offer plenty of room to roam and run, and it’s a great way to keep your dog socialized. Of course, there are also great off-leash areas located at Warner and Moss-Wright parks, as well as Maggie’s Bark Park in Franklin. (Trust me: my dogs have properly marked the posts at all locations.)

Next on my doggie date agenda? Scrumptious goodies from See Spot Eat: A Doggie Bakery, located along Bransford Avenue in Berry Hill. Locally owned and operated by Kat Martin, Nashville’s first storefront canine bakery offers up freshly baked treats created from all-natural, human-grade and often organic ingredients.

From their delectable pink “pupcakes” and carob cookies to custom order special occasion cakes, See Spot Eat is one Nashville hot spot that my dogs literally beg for. And while my dogs go gaga at the treat counter, I enjoy browsing the great selection of premium holistic pet foods, interactive dog toys and training supplies.

Perhaps the coolest thing about Martin’s shop is that her bakery goodies are complimented by the presence of her other business: Dogs and Kat positive dog training. Martin holds a variety of group classes for pups and their parents, including Relaxed Rover, Puppy Manners and Intro to Agility.

So what’s in it for me? Besides the great bonding experience and fun shared with my pooch pals, I can grab eats next door at dog-friendly Re-Je’s Grab and Go, an eclectic eatery offering a variety of hot food and desserts. The partnership between Re-Je’s and See Spot Eat packs a power punch of fun. “The idea is to offer a place where Nashville’s dog lovers can come hang out with their pups,” says Martin. “People don’t have that many places that they can go with their dogs besides the dog park or a pet store. With Re-Je’s offering their delectable people food, and us offering our wonderful doggie treats, folks will be able to grab a snack for themselves as well as one for their pooch all in the same place.”

Prefer to hang in Williamson County? Now Franklin has its own dog bakery, too. Originally a central Wisconsin shop, KeKe’s Kitchen is now situated off Franklin Road, just south of Moores Lane. Owners KeKe and Stephanie Sotiros opened up the Franklin bakery, which serves both pet and people treats, in November. Pulling from more than 70 original recipes, the mother/daughter team create such fabulous finds as “Bark La Va”, their own dog-friendly version of the popular Greek pastry. Of course, my pooch pals totally drool for their heart-shaped Valentine treats, baked with real cranberries.

Like Martin’s shop, KeKe’s also features a posh pet boutique offering a variety of retail for the hippest of hounds.

As for me, I’m looking forward to my rendezvous with my canine Valentines—and to the warm snuggle session by the fire once we’re back home and happy!