Doggone food

Food for the Gods has been a perennial favorite for most everyone. Packaged beautifully in fact, a pack of moist, chewy, freshly-baked squares of food for the gods is a most welcome gift anytime, most especially in the Christmas season.

But Food for the Dogs?

It’s obviously a play on the good old favorite and yes, it is for man’s best friend. This canine treat is guaranteed to have your pet dog salivating for more, after Master gives him a dutiful pat on the back for being a good doggie.

Actually, I’ve been contemplating on a short new series on young entrepreneurs. When I say young, take it literally, because they are in their teens and 20s, and I am pleasantly surprised that our young people today have been steeped in the value of entrepreneurship very early on. No longer are they all play and no work. (Good work, Go Negosyo!) Some of them are not even out of school yet, dabbling in a new-found hobby that came out profitable after a few dogged tries. Usually far removed from their courses in college, their business interests are very interesting and novel, to say the least.

While I am not quite ready to start this new series just yet as I am still in the process of collating materials and setting up coffee table chats that could pass for interviews with these young people, I learned that this group of young girls are poised to launch their home-grown business, Food for the Dogs, so here’s a sneak preview on what they’re going to launch.

Food for the Dogs has been in the works for several months now, borne out of a common love three young ladies share for dogs and everything that have to do with them. Maureen Bagsit and cousin Aki Nilooban and good friend Tin Gamboa (following her dad’s footsteps, that’s DJ Suzy for you regular Magic 89.9 listeners!) have a lot in common: all graduated from De la Salle-Zobel (Tin, aside from being a very, very close kin being my wife’s daughter, is true Green La Salle, from Prep to Masters!), they’re all from the South, living just a few enclaves from each other, they share common friends and they’re all certified dog lovers.

Incidentally, the girls share that their beloved alma mater De la Salle-Zobel is having its grand reunion today, and while they’re busy with their forthcoming launch, the girls have set aside time to help in the preparations for the grand homecoming. Happy Homecoming girls!

Anyway, Food for the Dogs is essentially doggie treats, biscuits lovingly baked and packed at home after much research and trials. The well-chosen ingredients are all-natural, hygienically prepared and packed fresh. If you thought it was easy and simple to make doggie biscuits, think again. They had to research on hypoallergenic ingredients with just the right mix so that the final products will not produce harmful effects on the dogs’ digestive system, his fur, etc. It’s not enough that they have all the nutritious elements that can pass for human consumption like their oats oatmeal cookies which are made from whole wheat flour, honey, milk, eggs, butter and oats and lasts up to four weeks. They also have banana muffins, pizza and birthday cakes, all doggie treats. The flour they use has to be gluten-free, they don’t use sugar, and definitely the cookies have no preservatives which are said to be harmful for the pets in the long run. They have also created the Crunchy Cookie for Wind (if your pet has “kabag”) and cookies baked with mint leaves to freshen your doggie’s breath. The business still has a long way to go, but research is non-stop. Production has taken off and the products are packed in small convenient packs, although the products are initially just available in the BF Homes area, either for pick-up or delivery.

Visit their website at www.foodforthedogs.com for more information on what products best suit your pets, etc. or call 0905-4197899.

Food for the Dogs is essentially an off-shoot of their initial doggie venture which they call Urban Doggies. By now, it is a by-word in BF Homes where they started. Owned and operated by Mau and Michelle Bagsit and DJ Marasigan (who co-owns another successful venture Boy Central, which merits another issue in the forthcoming series on young entrepreneurs), Urban Doggies is the proponent of mobile pet grooming services.

Perhaps you’ve caught sight of a brightly-colored custom van that virtually screams Urban Doggies cruising along the areas of Paranaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. The trio of Mau, Michelle and DJ cashed in on the need to provide pet grooming services on site, without the pet owners having to go through the hassle of bringing their pets to the vets for grooming, waiting for hours for their appointment and then having to wait some more for the grooming to be done with before they can bring their pets home. With Urban Doggies, all they need to do is call, and the mobile van comes a-calling right at their doorstep.

The grooming is done right at the custom van which is equipped with professional grooming facilities. The shampoo and soap used are made of all-natural ingredients as well, nothing harsh that could harm your pet’s fur or give him itchy allergies. The groomers are also well-trained, having attended mandatory grooming seminars and courses. They shampoo right at the van, cut hair with a style appropriate to the breed, clean ears, trim nails. When they’re done, your doggie will feel and smell fresh enough to sleep with.

If you feel the need to have a day at the spa for some relaxation, Urban Doggies provides the same treat-a couple of hours of luxurious bath and grooming. My friends know me and my family as well as certified pet lovers, and I’ve had the pleasure of having my small dogs avail of their treatments. My wife’s red poodle named Bruno always looks reborn after an Urban Doggies home visit. Bruno’s French poodle cut is irresistible, and he looks and feels spiffy clean and relaxed. My beloved six-year old Dachsund Kimi actually looks to be smiling after his own spa with Urban Doggies and my daughter’s cream-colored Chihuahua Tasha looks fairer and seems to actually preen after a good shampoo and scrub.

Urban Doggies only started in March but has gained a strong following in three major areas in the South. The group is planning to expand to the Quezon City area soon. Watch out for this. Soon enough, having glamorous and fresh-smelling dogs will only be a phone call away.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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