The Mostly True Story of
A small family business with a very confident CEO.
Chapter One
Rip has always been a Goldendoodle with a very active imagination.
While other dogs spent their afternoons napping in sunny spots, Rip would disappear into his backyard doghouse for what he called “important business.”
No one knew exactly what he was doing in there. There were strange noises, stacks of paper and the occasional smell of sweet potato.
But Rip had a dream: to build a Barkery where every dog could feel like the most important customer in the world.
Chapter Two
Rip quickly realized that every great business needs a team.
He recruited Pixie, who arrived with a clipboard, several corrections and the quiet belief that she would be better at his job.
Then came Auto, who was mostly interested in snacks but agreed to attend the meetings anyway.
Together, the three of them held very important meetings about recipes, deliveries, Barkery plans—and mostly snacks.
There was also one suspicious squirrel who definitely wasn't invited.
Chapter Three
Before long, the ordinary backyard doghouse had become Barkery Headquarters.
The walls were covered in blueprints. Treat recipes were stacked on the desk. Delivery plans were pinned wherever there was room.
Rip sat at the head of the table. Pixie checked his work. Auto checked whether anyone had brought snacks.
Every day began with another official meeting about how Rip's Barkery would one day become real.
Chapter Four
Eventually, Rip decided the plan was ready.
He led Ashley behind the doghouse and showed her everything he had been secretly building: the recipes, the plans, the route and a very ambitious drawing of himself behind a bakery counter.
Ashley stared at the tiny headquarters. Then she stared at Rip.
Natalie wasn't even surprised.
And somehow, what began inside Rip's imagination started becoming a real family business.
Chapter Five
Rip still makes all the big decisions—or at least he believes he does.
Ashley and Natalie handle the small details: baking the treats, preparing the jars, answering the messages, building the website and making the Saturday deliveries.
Pixie keeps an eye on management. Auto maintains team morale. Rip supervises everything from the most comfortable seat available.
The Human Department also spends a surprising amount of time reminding Rip that squirrels are not business consultants.
Chapter Six
Alright… confession time.
We know Rip isn't really running a company from a backyard doghouse.
But every business has a story, and this one is ours.
Rip, Pixie and Auto inspire the strange ideas, the characters and the little world surrounding the Barkery. Ashley and Natalie turn those ideas into real treats for real dogs throughout our community.
So thank you for playing along—and for becoming part of the story.
Between us, Rip still believes every word.
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