Welcome to the Journal: why this space exists

This Journal is the part of Twins Barkery I've been most excited to open.

The goodies came first, because that's where it started: me in my kitchen, trying to figure out what actually helped Daisy and Teddy. But the more I made, the more I realized the recipes were only half of it. The other half was everything I was learning along the way.

Daisy and Teddy are littermates. Same parents, same start, and completely different health stories. Over the years that's meant vet visits, food trials, new routines, and a lot of trial and error. Some of it worked. Some of it didn't. All of it taught me something.

I didn't plan to share any of that. Then I started doing markets.

At almost every table, someone would stop, ask about an ingredient, and then tell me about their own dog or cat. The picky eater. The sensitive stomach. The one with allergies nobody could pin down. Turns out a lot of us are quietly trying to figure the same things out, usually after a long day and a Google search that leaves us more confused than before.

So that's what this Journal is for. A place to learn, share, and feel a little less alone in trying to give our pets a good life.

What you'll find here

• Life with Daisy and Teddy — the real version, including the messy parts

• What I'm learning about caring for dogs with health challenges, and what's actually helped us

• Seasonal ingredient spotlights — why each ingredient on the menu earned its place

• Real-life moments written up as practical guidance, like what to do after a first tick find on a walk

• Books and resources I'm reading and finding useful

• Notes from markets and the pet parents I get to meet along the way

I'm not a vet, and nothing here replaces one. This is one pet parent sharing what she's learned, in the hope of saving you a little time or worry.

The comments are open, and I'd genuinely love to hear from you. What's something you've figured out the hard way with your pet?

For the pets who have our heart,

Noelle (and Daisy & Teddy)

If you'd like new posts and the next seasonal menu before anyone else, you're welcome to Join the Pack. It's free, and it's just the good stuff.