Second Helpings

Bow WOW! I've never been much of an animal lover, unless the creatures in question were roasted, grilled or broiled. Yes, we do have a cat, but that's only because my wife got one while I was foolish enough to go out of town for a few days eight years ago.

Conversation when I returned:
Me: You got a cat? I don't want any cats! You promised you'd never get a pet without discussing it with me first! Why didn't you ask me?

Wife: I did ask. You said, "No."
It's hard to argue with that sort of crystalline logic. And then she pulled out the ultimate weapon--the kids. They were in tears, wailing that mean Daddy was going to toss the kitty out and make it a coyote appetizer. So naturally, I relented.

Needless to say, I don't give the cat special treatment. But she's not very demanding: As far as I can tell, she requires food, shelter, a working cat door and 22 hours of uninterrupted sleep a day.

However, there are a lot of pets out there--mostly dogs--that get the kind of pampering most humans can only dream about. If you're that sort of dog owner--oops, I mean "companion"--your Fido may soon be wagging his tail nonstop. That's because a retail dog bakery (the Valley's first, as far as I'm aware) has recently opened for business at ritzy Biltmore Fashion Park at 24th Street and Camelback, across from Macy's.

It's called Three Dog Bakery. A visit there left me slack- jawed with astonishment.

The place looks like a gourmet bake shop, the gleaming display cases filled with all sorts of tempting goodies. If I hadn't looked closely at the names, I might have picked out some treats for myself. Among the offerings: Gracie's Great Danish, Springer Spaniel Sprinkles, Pupcakes, Boxer Brownies, Labrador Log, Ciao Wow, Carob Chip Beagle Bagels, and Bark and Fetch Cookies. Dog owners--oops, companions--can come with their four-legged friends, and sit at the outside tables. Many humans also bring photos of their pooches, which are pinned to a bulletin board decorated with satisfied customers.

Of course, everything that comes from Three Dog Bakery's kitchen is "healthful." You wouldn't want your dog eating anything with salt, sugar, preservatives or fat, would you?

I asked the proprietor if people ever bought anything for themselves. "Well, I didn't say this," she confided, "but we have many customers watching their diet who come in for a treat."

The Biltmore's Three Dog Bakery is one of about 20 franchises nationwide, with more on the way. The company started in Kansas City, and is moving into high-end malls across the country.

For more info, call 602-522-2333.
To a Tea: For the next six Saturdays, until May 29, Different Pointe of View, at the swanky Pointe Hilton at Tapatio Cliffs (11111 North Seventh Street), will be offering an outdoor afternoon tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Along with assorted hot and iced teas, pastries and muffins will also be served. Cost is $10 per person.

For reservations, call 602-863-0912.

--Howard Seftel

Suggestions? Write me at hseftel@newtimes.com or New Times, P.O. Box 2510, Phoenix,