The countdown to Christmas Day is filled with anticipation, and one woman in Ontario, Canada, has devised a novel method for dogs in her community to participate: a massive dog treat Advent calendar.
The calendar consists of 24 treat-filled jars on a Christmas tree stand that are free to everyone who walks by, and four-legged residents are overjoyed to be a part of it.
Amy Gaudette is used to dogs from the neighborhood stopping by her driveway. When everyone in her neighborhood was sheltering in place in 2020, she opened her first free treat stall.
“I started the café during the COVID-19 lockdowns as a way to spread kindness to others,” Gaudette told The Dodo.
She named her treat stand Oshawa Puppy Café and stocked it with a range of dog-friendly treats.
“At first I think my neighbors were a little confused as to why there were free dog treats at the end of our driveway,” Gaudette said. “But over time, more and more people found out about us and it became a place to always visit while on a walk with their dogs. The dogs now know what our café is and pull their owners to our house!”
Oshawa Puppy Café quickly became a popular hangout in Gaudette’s neighborhood. Gaudette developed an Instagram account for the café and hung a banner requesting clients to take a picture and tag her to keep track of all her visitors.
Pictures of happy dogs of all shapes and sizes began to flood in.
Gaudette was taken away by the reception to her treat stand and immediately began to consider methods to expand her offerings.
She increased her offers to include free holiday-themed photoshoots, such as a “Free Kisses” stand for Valentine’s Day, which her customers appreciated.
She then sponsored an adoption drive with local rescues, and she has been giving back to her community ever since with charity and adoption events at the café.
“I’ve been very fortunate to use our café in such a positive light,” Gaudette said. “[We’ve] helped dogs find their forever homes.”
According to Gaudette’s calculations, approximately 10,000 treats have been consumed in the year and a half since the opening of Oshawa Puppy Café, but the smiles on her guests’ faces are what matter the most.
She’s hoping that the interactive Advent calendar would bring her even more delight this year.
Throughout the month of December, Gaudette’s neighbors are welcome to visit the Advent calendar and select a goodie from one of the calendar’s numbered jars. Each jar contains a unique delight with a list of ingredients.
“The Advent calendar really surprised everyone,” Gaudette said. “They all love it!”
The Advent calendar will be accessible until the end of the year, but Gaudette plans to reintroduce it the following holiday season.
Meanwhile, the owner of Oshawa Puppy Café and her dogs, Roxie and Misty, are preparing for a new year of visitors, events, and plenty of treats.
“I hope I’m able to keep connecting people and their love for their pets together,” Gaudette said. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Source: The Dodo