Pawsitive products for pets
Valley’s Irma Johnson thrilled to offer all-natural treats to furry friends
Irma Johnson is providing pet owners with options through her natural dog treats.
The Valley resident is the owner of Doggie Delicious, a health and wellness brand of treats for canines, made with herbs and nutritional powders.
“It’s giving people the knowledge and giving them options and choices,” says Johnson.
Johnson makes a wide array of products, including organic treats, tick and flea sprays, along with herbs to help with such health issues as arthritis and allergies.
She started more than 10 years ago when she lived in Fredericton.
“I did a lot of research and getting the product out there for testing … and then it just went from there – taking courses, reading newsletters, talking to people; it’s ongoing learning,” she said.
It takes Johnson about two hours to make a full batch of 225 dog treats. The process involves mixing ingredients, rolling the treats out and baking them in the oven. Each bag contains 18 to 20 treats.
Johnson has been selling her product on Saturdays at the Truro Framers’ Market since 2018.
“The people you get to meet, there’s a lot of animal lovers out there,” she said. “The support was good, of course, until (COVID) … but people are just finding out again that I’m back (at the market) so each week it increases which is really good.”
Johnson adds customers who have been with her from Day 1 in Fredericton have also been loyal and continue to show their support.
“After being with me that long it becomes a friendship,” she said. “We go through a lot of things together – from them getting a puppy, to the adult, to the senior, and then crossing the Rainbow Bridge, so we’ve gone through a lot together, so they’ve been a great support; they’ve become very good friends.”
Johnson has had dogs during her life and once owned five Shelties at the same time. “I was in bliss,” she said. After her last Sheltie died four years ago, Johnson decided she would take a break from dog ownership. However, once a dog lover, always a dog lover, and in July she will welcome a new fur baby into her life – a Border Collie named Thor.
“I’m a dog person, I’ve always had dogs in my life; there’s never been a period when I haven’t and it’s like, ‘yeah, four years is too long, this is not good,’” she laughed.
Johnson said she is thrilled to hear success stories from her customers on how her treats have made a positive impact on their pet’s health.
“Everyone has a journey and a path to follow in life and I can’t imagine not doing this,” she said. “I cannot even fathom not doing this.”