THERE’S A new culinary chef in town, and his audience has four legs and a wagging tail. Daniel Mahon, a local community member, has recreated delicious, allergy-free dog treats. Mahon has become a recipe whisperer and published a unique cookbook full of treats that give every dog a smile — and a satisfied tummy.
Mahon never expected to become an author, much less an author specializing in canine cuisine. This unassuming start led to the creation of a unique recipe book catering to dogs with dietary restrictions and an interesting journey through the realms of self-publishing. Finding the perfect treat for your dog can be a challenge when it comes to pet care, especially if your furry friend has allergies. But Mahon turned this challenge into an exciting revelation. It began as a quest to help a friend’s Boston terrier avoid allergic reactions and has transformed into an adventure to provide wholesome, allergen-free treats for dogs everywhere.
“A friend of mine had a Boston terrier, and terriers are known to have allergies,” Mahon explained. “In some cases, it’s just with wheat, but in more severe situations, it’s all grains.”
This experience motivated Mahon to create a solution. He didn’t just want to help his friend’s dog but also other dogs suffering from similar allergies. The result was a uniquely crafted recipe book divided into three sections: wheat-free treats, grain-free treats, and frozen treats.
Mahon is especially aware of the current issues regarding pet food safety, particularly with products imported from other countries.
“A lot of people are trying to go as natural as possible,” he said. “I make sure that everything I use is made in America because we have stricter regulations for food safety What sets Mahon’s recipe book apart from others on the market is its specific focus on addressing a particular need.
“I’ve seen a lot of other recipe books that cover all the bases, but I’m just trying to fill a need,” he said. “I want to ensure that dogs with allergies aren’t neglected and can still enjoy wholesome treats.”
Creating this book took time and effort. Daniel began the project in 2010, leveraging the power of social media platforms like Myspace to gather recipes.
“I posted on Myspace, asking if anyone had recipes for wheat-free dog treats. I wasn’t expecting the overwhelming response I received,” he recalled.
Asking the community for help provided Mahon with a wealth of recipes that he carefully browsed through to compile his book.
Mahon initially published his book through a self-publishing platform. While this was a legitimate company, an unexpected mishap with royalty payments halted his first experience in mainstream publishing.
“The FBI contacted me and said that the company was using it as a tax shelter. I sold 128 books but only received $1.20.”
Though Mahon felt burned by this minor setback and decided to step back from publishing his book, he still held on to his vision and desire to publish. After receiving encouragement from his wife and church friends, he decided to republish his book on Amazon.
“I was talking to some friends at church, and one of our good friends told me that Amazon lets you keep all your rights. So, I sent it through a step-by-step process on their website and got it published,” he explained.
This time, he found a platform that respected his work and allowed him to reach a broader audience.
Daniel hinted at another project close to his heart in the future. He’s looking to one day publish a weight loss book.
“I had a book before this one about weight loss. I was over 347 pounds and lost a lot of weight through a specific diet and exercise,” he said.
He hopes to share this personal transformation story with others in the future.
Mahon’s innovation in creating safe, healthy treats for dogs with allergies has filled a major gap in the pet care market. He plans to continue to innovate and share his knowledge, which both pet owners and their furry companions will benefit from greatly. GN
