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Call It Puppy Love

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

SEFFNER - Finding a good dog groomer who can also photograph your pup and bake him nutritious treats is like finding a good doctor you can trust, says Sandra Simpson, who has found such a spot a few miles from her home.

"If I ever moved, I'd traveled to get there with my dogs," Simpson said, referring to Whiskers & Wags Pet Bakery at 11713 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. "They're that good."

Having eight dogs, she said, it's important to work with someone you can trust.

Mother and daughter proprietors Joanne and Jennifer Ballengee converted their small doggie gift shop into a wholesale business a few years ago, baking beautiful cookies and cakes of the K-9 variety to sell to other shops.

But too many times, Joanne Ballengee said, she would get a tap on the shoulder at the grocery store from someone asking when Whiskers & Wags would open again for its loyal clientele.

"Within 10 days, we shelved our wholesale distribution and opened our doors again," she said.

That was in December 2006. "We hit the ground running," she said, noting business is brisk even with the faltering economy. "People have been very loyal to get the word out and give us referrals. Business is great."

Whiskers & Wags first opened five years ago across from Wal-Mart in a small, wood-shingled storefront with a bright pink-and-yellow sign. The business was an offshoot of Joanne Ballengee's gift shop, which offered sweet doggie treats made by her daughter, amid the gift baskets and other trinkets for people.

"There was such a demand for the treats, we ended up opening this place," said Jennifer Ballengee, who also grooms and photographs dogs in the shop, in addition to doing all the baking.

People like the personal touch the shop offers their beloved pets, and they travel from as far away as Temple Terrace, Zephyrhills and FishHawk Ranch to get there.

When dogs are getting spa treatments in the back room, their owners can shop out front for U.S.-made, all-natural dog food, natural skin remedies or ice cream made especially for canines.

"A lot of our offerings are wheat- and gluten-free, since some dogs are allergic," Joanne Ballengee said, showing off her daughter's creations. They include Banana Berry and Salmon Sushi Roll Cookies, chicken, cheddar and cranberry croissants and peanut butter-and-jelly ice cream.

"Our philosophy is that dogs want what people want," Joanne Ballengee said. "But we don't use refined sugar or salt, and instead of chocolate, it's unsweetened carob."

Many of the recipes include real fruits and vegetables, which help dogs that have problems with their skin or coats, she said.

"I try to keep up with the trends on the market when I decide what new treats to bake," Jennifer Ballengee said. "I'll use particular ingredients, but I bake them just like you'd normally bake cookies, only for a longer period, so they'll be crunchy."

Cake orders can be filled with at least 24 hours notice and must be picked up at the shop.

Some clients order one treat at a time at about 85 cents each, while others have standing bulk orders.

Simpson breaks the treats up for her tiny Yorkies.

But Valerie Bullock's Bernese mountain dog, Hummer, who weighs more than 100 pounds, gobbles them down whole.

"I take Hummer in every two weeks, and they use special shampoos on him because of his skin and allergy problems," Bullock said.

"They love animals, and they treat them like they are their own," she said. "Joanne and Jennifer know everyone's name and everyone's dog. It's just a great place."

IF YOU GO

Whiskers & Wags

Pet Bakery
WHERE: 11713 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Seffner

HOURS: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday

CALL: (813) 436-1697

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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