Thanks to a black labrador we now have our own ‘ice cream’ for cooling us down on hot sunny days.
Whilst out shopping today at our local Dobbies garden centre mum spotted a small grey freezer, filled with iced treats for dogs.
Sadly many two leggers will pass by the one metre tall un-engaging box, not willing to venture past the solid coloured lid to find the delights enclosed. But we are glad our mum did.
Sold under the brand Billy + Margot, the two chief taste testers for the company, the sorbet textured treat is made from ingredients chosen for their health benefits and great taste.
At this point we should mention that this is not ice cream for dogs, but an iced treat. It has a sorbet consistency and is free from dairy.
Apple, banana and carrot treat
Looking on the Billy+Margot website they say that recipes contain pure fruit and vegetable purée, aloe vera juice and flaxseed oil.
Coconut oil from sustainable sources is also used.
Two ice treat flavours are available. The first is an unusual concoction of apple, banana and carrot (ABC). Whilst the second is strawberry & apple.
Mum chose the one containing carrot for us, as we do like our vegetables.
As it is quite a cool day today we were only allowed a little and it did taste and look quite good.
Dog ice treat
The very pale coloured mixture was easily scooped out of the pot and soon was working it’s way towards our tummies.
Mum made sure we did not get too much in one go, just in case we became too cold too quickly and made ourselves sick.
The taste and smell were not too strong and on a hot day would be fantastic to cool us down. So now all we need is a hot day so we can try the other flavour. Hint, hint mum.
Billy +Margot
Earlier I mentioned the chief taste testers called Billy and Margot well I thought they should get more of a mention.
It turns out that Billy, a black labrador ,was the key to the whole idea of an ‘ice cream’ specifically made for dogs.
He loved ice cream, who doesn’t, but human ice cream is not really good for us.
So the challenge was set to find one that was.
Marie Sawle, Billy’s owner and a nutritionist, launched the ice treat range at Crufts in 2012.
It is now available in more than 110 outlets throughout the country. The 160g tub costs around £2.99, so is a bit of a luxury even for pampered pooches.
Billy, sadly died before the new iced treat could be brought to market it seems, but his constant companion Margot, another Black Lab has taken the role of chief taster.
If you have a special flavour you think would work for you then you can suggest it on the Billy+Margot Facebook page. As we write this article apple, pear and banana seems to be in the lead ahead of pea and mint.
It would appear that sirloin steak or BBQ ribs have not been suggested. They would get our vote. 🙂
The Billy+Margot products, are manufactured by ice cream and sorbet manufacturer Taywell.
Good luck to the new business and keep up the good work Margot.
Big licks
Charlie and Buster
It only costs 26p a tub to make.RIP OFF AT £2.99 greedy F*****S