Who is Shania Bakes?

Who is Shania Bakes?  Shania Bakes is the name my family and I created when we began baking Organic Dog & Cat Treats using the information we found while researching our dog’s epilepsy.  Since the creation of Shania Bakes in December 2013, it has become so much more than healthy treats and cute pet gift baskets.  For the purpose of this blog “Shania Bakes Organic” and our Twitter account “ShaniaBakes”, Shania Bakes is me sharing with whoever is interested all of the information I have found out through research and personal experience when it comes to holistic remedies and the benefits of certain foods, natural supplements, and fruits & vegetables when it comes to the needs of our cats and dogs.

Up until the summer of 2012, I was a very active burger and fry loving mother, soccer coach, and dog mom.  I had little need or interest in “holistic” things or even vitamins.  If I felt out of shape or unhealthy- I ran a little more each day and drank some OJ. My kids are active and naturally lean and we all enjoy our steak, burgers, fried foods, and our rice and beans.  This was until the day I was rear-ended and suffered a significant back injury.

Through my job, I knew the dangers of pain medicines and was not someone who liked to take pills or medications.  As I found myself suffering and incapacitated, unable to do most of my normal daily activities, and being young in my 30’s, I began looking into more natural remedies and supplements.  I discovered the benefits of glucosamine and boswellia, as well as some other natural supplements.  A few months into my injury, I was home due to my back and experienced the single scariest moment in my life- our 80 lb Pitbull Junior had his first major seizure which turned into his first in a cluster of seizures.  Scared and unsatisfied with the Emergency Vet telling us that it was “common in dogs and just happens”, I turned to Facebook, friends, and eventually our family Vet and then a holistic vet for answers.  The suggested round of tests they estimated would cost us a few thousand dollars was unfortunately not an option.  After another round of cluster seizures, we reluctantly put Junior on medication.

Feeling helpless, like a failure of a Dog Mom, and still struggling with my back injury and facing surgery, I turned to the internet.  I was disappointed with the lack of information I found available, but I did learn that there was a theory that epilepsy and other “human” diseases becoming prevalent in dogs was believed to be linked to many of the additives in the common dog foods.  We switched Junior’s food and after a lengthy discussion with a very knowledgeable associate at the local pet store, switched his food again to a pricier dog food that was not only more natural but was said to have specific vitamins and minerals that would help Junior and his epilepsy.  I found a new area to research and was off and running.  With my back leaving me little to do but lay around and get on the internet- I began reading and reading and asking and reading.

Through my research, I began baking treats from organic human foods for Junior and our newer addition, Storm, a Blue Nose Pit Bull who entered our lives and quickly became Princess of the home.  Like many, I had always believed that human food was a BIG “no-no” for dogs and would feel guilty each time I gave the fur babies leftovers.  I once again found a new world of information and possibilities to explore.

In December 2013, after talking with some friends and with me being out of work for so long following surgery, the family and I began offering to bake organic dog treats and selling them in Holiday Gift Baskets.  The response was great and we had our cat owning friends asking for cat treats.  Back to researching I went and created a line of Organic Cat Treats.  “Shania Bakes: Home Baked Organic Pet Treats” was born.  As the business has grown and our customer base continued to place orders for treats each week, I began being asked to look into creating treats for doggie bad breath, treats for dogs who have ailments like arthritis, and as Junior’s epilepsy continued even with the medication, I became determined to find a natural and organic remedy to help his symptoms.  

Last week, I realized I have piles of articles and research and remembered everything I went through to find the research.  I decided to create a Twitter page and this blog to share the information I have learned.  I am NOT a VET and I am NOT a professional and I offer this information with the hope that you use it as part of your research and use it to open discussions between you and your Vet.  Although I do sell Organic Pet Treats and ship across the United States, the focus of this blog and my Twitter is NOT to sell my treats.  The focus is to provide information to other Pet Moms and Dads.  There is a link at the bottom of the blog if you are interested in my products, but this will be one of the rare times I mention my treats and do not want the fact that I sell treats to take credibility from the information I share.  

Although this has become a long blog, I must share one more important part of our story.  Shania Bakes was created in the memory and spirit of our first rescue dog, Shania.  A Rottweiler Husky mix, we found Shania through a Husky rescue group and brought her into our family when she was 6-months-old.  Our lives have never been the same.  A year later, our first son was born and Shania shared “her” son with us.  The beauty of the bond that grew between my son and Shania is to this day one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.  She was with us for 12-years until passing of respiratory issues and she remains a vital part of our family.  Shania was not just a dog, she had the most loving personality, but she was no-nonsense.  She mothered us, our kids, the neighbors, other family members, and even our other dogs as we adopted more.  Shania loved to be outdoors all day long and was friends with anyone who walked by, bonded with the mailman who snuck her treats everyday, and conned the kids at the bus stop out of their school snacks (sorry moms).  When we started this venture, there was no other dog or family member that we wanted to honor and have leading us than our “Nia”.

We hope that you enjoy the stories and information that we will share here.  The plan is to post a new article each Wednesday and encourage questions and feedback, as long as it is always in a respectful and positive minded manner.   I enjoy new information, being corrected, and also the challenge of researching new topics.  Please feel free to comment, question, and discuss.  Invite friends and fellow pet lovers to follow our blog and our Twitter “ShaniaBakes”.