Our Story

Hi... I'm John, and this is a page about my story, my purpose, my passion, — the Bow Wow Bake Shoppe.

If you want to know the entire story, then you have to go back many years to a chubby little boy who struggled to fit in, but found a best friend in three basset hounds, Artie, Barney & Pippi. 

Though many years have passed since those days, the connection, the friendship, my love for dogs has never wavered.

In good times and bad — the happiness and joy, the heartbreak and loss... and everything in between — dogs have been my one constant. They've been the lighthouse of my life, you could say, guiding me through the storm until I find calmer seas. 

They've given me purpose, direction and reason in days when all of these things were tough to find. I've shared the most important and impactful moments of life with my dogs, sometimes culminating in a happy embrace, other times I've gently buried my face into their fur and just wept.

Dogs can do this for us, can't they?

They can connect with us in such a special and unique way, a comforting and calming way.

Because of this, I've tried to dedicate my life to honoring and celebrating all that dogs do for me, for you, for all of us.

Which leads me to this little bake shoppe... 

I suppose you could say this bakery actually started back in 2004, when I made homemade treats for my own dogs because I couldn't find any with simple, natural ingredients back in those days. 

I have wonderful memories of Lily Belle, one of my little rescue dachshunds, standing in front of the stove staring at the oven door as the treats baked inside (she was a wonderful taste-tester).

Although I didn't open the doors of a bakery back then, it was always something I knew I was meant to do, although I wasn't sure how or when or if that would happen. 

And then an opportunity came out of nowhere, a moment when everything seemed to line up, and I knew it was one that may never come again. So, myself and my board of dog-rectors (Barker, Blaze, Buddy and Buster) jumped in head first — saying yes to the chance and never looking back. It's been a lot of work, a lot of remodeling, revitalizing and renovating.

A lot of sweat, stress and even some tears, but after a while it started to take shape, to transform from that dingy old bakery into the shop I had always dreamt it could be — a community-centered dog bakery dedicated to using the best natural ingredients, to make the best homemade dog treats, for the best dogs in the world. And, to do all of this with the mission of saving as many lives as possible. 

Fill Bellies. Wag Tails. Save Lives. It's that simple.  

You see, the Bow Wow Bake Shoppe isn't just a dog bakery, it was never intended to be just that — it's a platform, a hub, a launching pad for changing and saving lives through rescue, compassion and advocacy.

It's a place where all dogs have a home, whether it's a reactive dog who has a private bakery session, or the senior pooch who needs some quiet time to enjoy his soft treat in peace, or a scared and lonely rescue looking for a loving forever home — every dog is welcome and celebrated here. 

Oh, and the treats, cookies, cakes, pup-cicles and pup-cakes and chews everything else we make by hand in small batches right there in the bakery everyday are the best in the world, period — because that is what all of our dogs deserve! 

If you haven't noticed yet, we have big plans, life-changing plans and even bigger dreams for this little bakery. And when I say "we," I mean all of us... the entire community of dog lovers.  

So that's my story... that's the Bow Wow Bake Shoppe's story, and this just the beginning. 

Love & Licks, 

John and the Bow Wow pack!