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Thursday, February 13, 2003

By Karen Novak

Amy and Keith Augustine are no strangers to Cupid's arrow. The Jeannette couple, childhood sweethearts and now young marrieds, have launched a business based on puppy love. Their Lazy Dog Cookie Company hand-bakes healthful treats for four-footed valentines.

	It's quality control testing time in the kitchen of the Lazy Dog Cookie Company wehre Amy and Keith Augustine tantalize their three dogs, Bodi, Elmo and Mable, with Puptarts. (Bill Wade, Post-Gazette)

"Amy is the creative force of the business," says Keith, a corporate account manager at Heinz USA. "She not only comes up with the recipes, but the creative names and packaging, too." His job is to package the treats and help with sales. Oatmeal-raisin Waggin' Wheels, peanut butter-filled PupTarts, carob Bow-Wownies, peanut butter Bowsers, mint T-Bones, apple-and-cinnamon-flavored An Apple a Day (Keeps the Vet Away), garlic and veggie Itchin' for a Treat (Amy notes that garlic can help kill fleas) and the Variety Pack are the current flavors. There is also a Sushi for Dogs, as well as seasonal items.

"This is my full-time job, and I love it," says Amy. "We have our own corporation."

Bodi, a golden retriever, is the CEO ("that's Chief Eating Officer"); Elmo, a Chihuahua, is Crumb Control; and Mable, a mixed breed, works on Quality Assurance. Amy makes each cookie using human-grade canine ingredients that have been veterinarian approved.

The Augustines started their business in York, York County, before moving to Jeannette. "I began baking for our dogs. I wanted to be sure what they were getting in a treat," said Amy. "Then I gave some to family and friends, and they seemed to really catch on." Their first customers were an animal trauma hospital in Maryland and Old Trail Animal Hospital in York. "Once a dog gets one of our cookies, they seem to become regular customers."

The 10-ounce bags retail for $4.89 at McGinnis Sisters, Monroeville; Soergel's in Wexford; My Best Friend in Sewickley; the Old General store in Donegal, Westmoreland County; and via e-mail at amyslazydog@attbi.com.

Dr. Kim Hammond of Falls Road Animal Hospital in Baltimore approved the all-natural treats, consisting of wheat flour, wheat germ, oats, molasses and other items. "We are working on a wheat-free cookie for dogs with allergies," says Amy. "That way we can offer a vegan alternative as well."

Amy bakes four days a week with her dogs in tow, along with Chip, a neighborhood dog. "They love baking days," says Amy, "because they get to eat all the mistakes." Keith spends almost two days packaging and delivering the results. "My greatest challenge so far was packaging the Sushi in the elegant Japanese black lacquer containers with plastic grass. It looks just like people sushi."

"We ship too," says Keith. "We are such a new business, less than a year old, but we were able to donate a percentage of our profits to York County SPCA, Lost and Found Horse Rescue and Ooh Mah Nee Farm Sanctuary."

Twenty dollars can buy a dog bone-shaped birthday cake, available in peanut butter or carob flavors and topped with fat-free cream-cheese icing. "A lot of dog lovers have birthday parties for their pets and these cakes are a popular item for us," says Amy.

Nine-year-old Josh Doak, a third-grader at Mt. Vernon Elementary School in Elizabeth, ordered a peanut butter cake for his chocolate lab's birthday. "She 'woofed' it down," laughs his mom, Linda. "We now have to order another cake for Max, whose birthday is coming up soon. What you do for one, you have to do for the other."

Amy uses a special baking technique for the cakes that gives them the texture of a muffin. "They have a two-month shelf life in the freezer or two weeks in the fridge." Each one is custom made and personalized.

For Valentine's Day, the Augustines have prepared hearts filled with carob candy and a Fetch and Chomp Frisbee filled with their cookies and a tennis ball. "We're really excited to have our dog sushi and birthday cakes recently included on the Internet at www.pet-treats-online.com," says Keith.

"People are always commenting that our cookies look good enough for humans to eat," said Keith. "That should be our slogan."

"I can remember one of our first samplings," smiles Amy. "A woman grabbed a cookie from our table and began to munch. We were speechless and finally called out that it was a dog cookie. She just continued to eat."

With all this specialty baking for dogs, does Amy ever bake for Keith? "No. I hope this doesn't put me in the doghouse, but I'm glad she doesn't."

"I wouldn't have time anyway," says Amy. "My furry, four-footed fans keep me too busy."