Farmers market vendor: K-9 Cowboy Treats
“Cowpoke Freshies” and “Chuckwagon Chews” are just some of the delectable delights K-9 Cowboy Treats has offered at its booth since joining the Waxahachie Farmers Market in November.
“This is my first year selling,” said owner Leslie John of Ennis, who staffs the booth with her daughter, Tricia Skrivanek. Other treats include “Pioneer Bites,” which are peanut butter and banana-based, and “Duke’s Delights,” which are made from pumpkin and peanut butter.
All of John’s homemade treats are licensed with the state, and she has the ingredient lists readily available at the K-9 Cowboy Treats booth. This allows pet owners to choose tasty options that won’t impact any allergies their canine may have.
“I’ve learned a lot about dog allergies,” said John, who notes she is always researching what is safe for canines.
She shared that the inspiration for her small business came from having been a dog owner herself. The photo on her booth banner is of Roxie, the cocker spaniel she owned for 15 years.
“We went through a lot (together) … but we made it,” said John, who noted one of the challenges was herself having gone through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Roxie was by her side the entire time, and John wishes now she had bought “more treats” for her pet companion before she passed. The family’s pets now include Chloe and Paco, a pair of Chihuahuas.
John also shared how her mind is always working on new ideas and flavors, such as the newly offered dehydrated chicken feet, and she’s happy to work with customers on special orders.
“I’ve just been trying different stuff to see what sells,” she said, noting she also offers birthday numbers with icing, and she's made custom birthday cakes with cream cheese and peanut butter icing.
John said she and her daughter enjoy both the people-watching and the dog-watching at the market because their booth is located where it has a view of the city’s dog park. And when canines come in with their owners through the building’s back entrance, they’re more often than not tugging at their leashes as they make a beeline toward K-9 Cowboy Treats’ booth.
“They can smell [the treats] once they come in; they run straight over,” John said with a smile. “It’s been fun; it really has been. I watch them play all day (out there).”
Besides expanding her treat offerings, John is also developing a line of salves for canine use. She offers a “safe if licked” paw balm and has a nose balm for moisturizing in the works.
For more information, contact John through the K-9 Cowboy Treats Facebook page.
Written by Jo Ann Livingston/In The Know Ellis.
