Before I write about any food product, I always taste it so I have personal knowledge of whether it is good or not. Today, when it was time to evaluate Premium Natural Soft Dog Treats (Softies Peanut Butter Flavor) from Blue Dog Bakery, I figured that, to get the real experts’ opinion, I would turn the tasting over to my two canine assistants: Sweetie Pie, a Shiba Inu mix, and Fluffy, a full-figured Australian Cattle dog mix.

O.K., I’ll be honest, Fluffy has never met a food she didn’t like. But Sweetie Pie, almost cat-like at times, is most discriminating. (There is one leading very expensive dog food that she refuses to eat.) So, she is my real taste-tester. (No offense, Fluffy.)

Well, the decision was unanimous: judging from their actions, they have definitely given Softies Peanut Butter Flavor treats a resounding paws’ up. As soon as I took the package down from the shelf, opened it and brought them into my office so I could have the package next to me at the computer, the dogs followed me with a most expectant look. Then they immediately sat down giving me their very best “aren’t we good dogs who should be given whatever it is that smells so good” look. Sweetie Pie and Fluffy have also shared these treats with dogs at Country Club Kennels in Catlett, Virginia, especially the dogs who stay there as part of The Chance Foundation program. Owner-operator Carla Nammach-Wenger started The Chance Foundation to give dogs who need it the most a second chance to stay there in her loving care until they can find a new home. To learn more about this most worthy cause, visit http://www.countryclubkennels.com/ and click on The Chance Foundation.

Actually, I can really see how these treats would make any dog salivate. First of all, they are soft—not like some other treats that look as if all the moisture has been basked out. Second, they contain no animal by-products. Instead, they are made with real peanut butter and real black strap molasses. They are small and easily digestible, so they are good for all sizes of dogs. With no preservatives, additives or artificial flavors or colors, I really feel good about giving these to dogs. They kinda like it too. For more information about these tasty canine treats, visit www.BlueDogBakers.com.

While we were in the testing mode, we also tried out 3M’s Pet Care Heavy Duty Pet Wipes. No, these are not gourmet treats like the ones I just described, but this is a handy package that contains 8 large pet wipes. It’s easy to carry this in the car, for those times after the dogs have had a good romp in the creek and you don’t want the mud in the car. Since they are enriched with aloe and vitamin E, they are also good for the dog’s skin. In the summer time, it’s a quick way to cool your dogs down a bit. I can’t wait to try them on visiting canine Buddy Basset, who tends to have doggie odor.

No, my dogs didn’t give these pet wipes the same reaction that they did to the dog treats, but I really liked them. Actually, compared to a bath, they rate these pet wipes as number one. Tell them that they are getting a doggie massage, and they won’t even know that they are getting clean at the same time. For more information about these wipes, visit www.3M.com.