And the owners of Paws and Company say there's no reason why dogs shouldn't eat right, too, and that includes treats.

"They're home-made with no preservatives," says co-owner Wayne MacDonald. He and business partner Sue Lucas started selling gourmet dog cookies in March.

"They're perfectly edible by humans," said MacDonald. Of course, they might not taste very good to humans.

The pair mix, bake and package the goodies themselves, all with ingredients you would find in your own fridge. MacDonald's wife, Laureen Schidlowsky, also pitches in to help prepare the cookies for sale.

Currently, the goodies come in three flavors: liver squares, cheese twists or bones and cinnamon growls.

The cookies are all a standard medium size, but MacDonald said they are willing to take special orders for people who need small treats.

MacDonald and Lucas plan to experiment with other meat flavors such as beef and chicken. They have also been asked to develop a hypo-allergenic cookie for dogs.

The problem with meat bases other than liver is shelf life. "So far we haven't found a recipe that keeps well," said MacDonald. The liver-based cookies, as well as the cheese and cinnamon treats, stay fresh for long periods of time.

"We made a batch three months ago and put it in the pantry. They still smell fresh," said MacDonald.

Right now, the cookies are available at Borealis Kennels and retail there for four dollars for two dozen biscuits.

"It's a bit expensive, but it's home-made, plus it's Yellowknife home-made," said Jo Ann Cooper, owner of Borealis Kennels.

MacDonald is negotiating with the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op to sell his product there. He and Lucas hope to eventually sell the cookies outside of the Northwest Territories.

MacDonald is also working on a recipe for cat treats, but has yet to find a flavor all 13 of their finicky felines agree on.