Another Lulu Exclusive: The Big Dog Behind Big Daddy Biscuits

My Mom can be a bit of a drama queen. The other day, she thought I had gotten into the garbage, so she actually pried my mouth open to check my breath. It was so insulting.

I don’t eat garbage; I eat shoes — expensive shoes. I also like to indulge in the occasional treat. That’s why I’m really, really excited (more so than usual) by my second .

Like most discriminating dogs of East Atlanta, I love Big Daddy Biscuits. These all-natural pet treats come in flavors like peanut butter, cheese bites with garlic, and turkey bacon. Well, these yummies are made right here in East Atlanta, and this is the first time that Big Daddy, the company spokesdog, has agreed to speak publicly.

Enjoy!

Lulu: Your Mom, Lauren Janis, makes dog treats for a living. You must be the luckiest dog in the world! Do you get to eat all the treats you want?

Big Daddy: I do get to taste test every flavor that Mama makes, but life wasn’t always a bowl of peanut butter biscuits. When humans from Action Animal Rescue found me wandering near the federal penitentiary, I was nothing but skin and bones. A few months later, my Mom was the victim of a home invasion and needed protection. Victoria Park of Park Pet Supply called her and said, “This is your dog.” Mom took me in as a foster, and I never left.

She likes to say that she saved my life and I saved hers. I’m just glad we found each other.

Lulu: How did you train your Mom to make dog biscuits?

Big Daddy: It’s a funny story. Mama was out of work and looking for options in 2008 when her niece and nephew said, “why don’t you make dog biscuits?” She didn’t even own a mixer, but Mama kept working on the recipe, and eventually started selling peanut butter dog biscuits at local farmers markets. People really like our treats because Mama uses local ingredients, like cornmeal from Red Mule Farms in Athens and eggs from Little Red Hen and Darby Farms. Even our logo is local. Dirk Hays at East Atlanta Tattoo designed it for Mama and me.

Now we sell our biscuits at seven farmers markets (East Atlanta Village, Piedmont Park, Marietta, Lilburn, Alpharetta, Decatur, and Chattanooga) and Whole Foods in Georgia. We go through 20 dozen eggs a week!

Lulu: That’s great, but does it make you sad that she’s gone so much?

Big Daddy: I get a little blue when Mama starts packing up bins of biscuits, but then I remember that our treats make dogs and people happy. While she’s gone, I guard the house, which is an important job.

Also, I get to join Mama at the Decatur farmers market — kids just can’t get enough of me. This Saturday, I’ll be celebrating my seventh birthday at the Marietta farmers market. You should drop by and say hello. I’ll make sure to load up on dinner mints, so my breath is kissable.

Lulu: Thanks, but my Mom says I’m not mature enough to date. Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?

Big Daddy: I’m just think it's cool that so many people and pets like Big Daddy Biscuits, and that it's an East Atlanta product. If we don’t support local businesses we won’t get anywhere.

Lulu: I agree. Last question before my nap. My motto in life is, you’re only in trouble if Mom finds out. What’s your motto?

Big Daddy: Eat my biscuits.