Did you know that dogs like pumpkin? Take that old pumpkin from Halloween, puree it, mix it with ground oats and peanut butter, shape them and bake them until they鈥檙e dry. How鈥檚 that for a tasty treat?

But if your dog likes meat like I do, I know just where to find it. At Beaufort Association for Inclusion in Action at the corner of 6th and Fitzgerald where Pet Treat Bakery sells their all-natural beef, chicken and liver treats without any additives. There is nothing else in those treats but the meat. I should know, I鈥檓 Clancy the golden retriever who lives next door to Pet Treat Bakery鈥檚 processing facility and I eat the treats all the time.

Pet Treat Bakery is a local business owned by Beaufort Association who provide day programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Their purpose is to support people getting out into the community, community inclusion they call it. They have fun throughout the day having dance parties and playing games at the centre and visiting the parks and beaches, Driftwood Mall or the educational and interesting Museums in the Valley. You can often see them walking around 5th Street, visiting the business in Downtown Courtenay and saying hello to us dogs while we are out for a walk.

They also want to make sure all us dogs are safe when we are in the community at this time of year. Here鈥檚 some tips:

1. Watch out for acorns that have fallen on the path, they are poisonous to your dog.

2. Be Cautious around Seasonal Decorations.

3. Be careful around mushrooms.

4. Watch out for wildlife.

5. Brush, brush, brush your dog鈥檚 coats.

6. Check for fleas and ticks that still active during the fall.

7. Beware of antifreeze.

So have fun out there and don鈥檛 forget to buy local whenever you can.