NEWS & LIFE
A War wick Bakeshop That’s Gone to the Dogs Jack’s Snacks caters to four-legged clientele with custom cakes and cookies just for pups By Belinda Jones, Animal Rescue Rhode Island This pooch’s birthday celebration isn’t complete without a look-alike cake
RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: FREDDI By Karen Kalunian It’s Fast Freddi, the amazing oneeyed wonder! Freddi is a two-year-old Rottie/Pit mix, which is where he gets his dashing good looks. His favorite activities include car rides, romping around, snoring through naps, and long leash walks. In his past life, Freddi was surrendered by his former owner to receive the care he needed for his eye, and though he unfortunately had to have his eye removed, now he’s completely healed and ready for a new chapter in his life. It’s Freddi’s turn to live a life full of love, snuggles, and snorts in a home where he would be your one and only boy. If this pup’s good looks make you smile, contact the RISPCA to meet Freddi. Learn more at RISPCA at 186 Amaral Street, Riverside. 401-438-8150, Adoption@rispca.com
Imagine the tongue-lolling glee you’ll be met with when you present your fetchloving dog with a birthday cake in the shape of a giant tennis ball, filled with treats like a piñata. Or for your chew-focused friend, how about an edible replica of their favorite toy? Pups with extra swag may require a 3D portrait with “Happy Birthday Mother Puppers” piped in doggie frosting. These are just a few examples of the joyful canine celebration cakes offered at Jack’s Snacks, A Dog Bakery based in Warwick. “We are getting ever-more creative with our designs,” says owner and founder Marni MacLean Karro, “though the classic boneshaped cake remains our most popular.” The bakery opened in 2004 when Karro and
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her husband returned to their native East Coast from California, along with Jack, an adopted black Lab-Pit mix who had five owners prior and suffered from fear-aggression. Fortunately, the couple was up to the challenge of working through his issues. “It was so rewarding to see him grow,” Karro reflects. “All the love we gave, he returned to us tenfold. Jack was the dog love of our lives.” Not to mention the inspiration for her dog bakery business. “In Los Angeles, I had been working as executive assistant to [actor and comedian] Arsenio Hall. There wasn’t comparable work in Rhode Island, so when we settled in Pawtucket, my husband said, ‘You love baking and you love dogs – you should create a gourmet treat business!’ I made my
first batch that very day,” says Karro. It was a slow start – people were mostly just amused when they saw Karro’s stall at local farmers markets, but her Ginger’s Chicken and Garlic Bone-anza won over the dogs and gradually Jack’s Snacks grew from home-baked trays to professional kitchen status, then an actual brick-and-mortar store. Now, along with snacks and cakes, the shop offers human apparel, dog accessories from RI brands including Hope Rope Co and Up Country, and dog-themed greetings cards and artwork from Tatutina. It’s a happy place for pooches and humans alike – pups get samples from the Broken Biscuit Jar, and humans find delight in clever product names like Woofie Pie and The Barkcuterie Box.
Hey Rhody DINING MAY 2022 |
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Photo by Marni Karro, courtesy of Jack’s Snacks
If you have been looking to adopt or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen from Animal Talk directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com
