A DOG lover gave up her career as a teacher to make pawfect treats for pooches with allergies.
Hollie White set up her doggy bakery business Hugo’s Pawtisserie.
Hollie, from Colchester, took the drastic career change after discovering her dog Hugo, a French bulldog, was allergic to gluten, wheat and grain.
She said: “As a puppy, undiagnosed allergies caused Hugo to be sick frequently.
“Persistent vomit eventually made its way onto his lungs and Hugo contracted pneumonia.
“He was rushed to the Royal Veterinary College where he underwent surgery to widen his throat and nasal passages.
“After this scare I was extremely careful to only feed him healthy treats that were kind to his tummy and appropriate for his hypo-allergenic diet.”
Hollie had taught English to students at colleges around London before moving to Colchester.
But she decided to give up her career to focus on making treats all dogs could enjoy.
- Top dog - inspirational French Bulldog Hugo
One of her recipes featured in Take a Break Pets magazine in the summer - a doggy birthday cake with live yoghurt frosting.
She said: “I make gluten and wheat free dog treats and cakes including bespoke doggy birthday cakes using all natural ingredients.
“The best sellers are probably the cheese-based biscuits, they smell delicious.
“I love experimenting with new recipes, if my Hugo likes a particular flavour I’ll create something using it.
“In the past I have made a strawberries and cream flavour for Wimbledon season and this time of year I’ll use pumpkins for an autumn treat.”
- Birthday - a happy customer with a birthday cake
It is only the best of the best for her Hugo.
Hollie, 31, said: “My Hugo and pug, Hector, are my world.
“I am obsessed with them, I even have them tattooed on me. Hugo came along at a time in my life when I was very lonely, he saved me from a deep depression and gave me hope that I could find my way out of a dark place.
“I attend markets and fairs across Essex to promote my business.
“I frequently donate treats to charities and have a collection pot for the Royal Veterinary College Trust visible on my stall.”
Hollie has created Christmas treats for this year including custom made gift boxes and even a Twelve Treats of Christmas advent calendar.
To find out more visit hugospawtisserie.co.uk.
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