Alannah Tommasoni starts Pucci Pets in Wagga

Alannah Tommasoni said she loves dogs so much that if she is walking down the street and spots one a mile away, it will make her day.

"I have grown up with dogs most of my life," she said.

"Prada and Gucci, my Shih Tzu terriers, have been like my children, and I wanted to create something in memory of them.

"Prada is my 13-year-old munchkin, and Gucci sadly passed away last year, and words cannot describe how hard it was and still is."

One day, Ms Tommasoni was scrolling through social media when she saw a post in which someone was looking for a restaurant that was dog-friendly.

"From there, my brain went into overdrive, and I started planning ways to incorporate [Wagga restaurant] Basil & Olive and doggy desserts," she said.

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"Being creative with pet food is a big deal in Melbourne or Sydney, so I figured since Wagga is in the middle, there had to be people around who love their dogs as much as I do.

"When I drive into town, there are always heaps of people that bring their dogs to cafes on the weekends, so why not have a coffee and something sweet whilst your fur baby enjoys a cappuccino and doggy doughnut."

Ms Tommasoni began doing research and could not find anywhere that sells human-grade dog treats or even treats for older dogs.

She is incredibly passionate about the latter as her dog Prada has trouble eating treats now that she has missing teeth and a sensitive stomach.

And so, Ms Tommasoni's business was born.

"I bake fresh treats every Thursday afternoon from scratch, using various fruits, vegetables as the main ingredient," she said.

"I'm still trialling recipes, so every week, I have been switching up flavours and designs.

"I spend around two hours every week baking before I give them to Prada to taste test - she ultimately decides what stays and goes."

Ms Tommasoni sells them at her parent's restaurant Basil & Olive on Baylis Street from Friday to Sunday but said she is hoping to enter the local market scene soon.

She has also decided to donate a portion of every sale to the Riverina and District Animal Rescue.

"My partner and I have a rescue cat named Lila, and we always see her as our little miracle," Ms Tommasoni said.

"It breaks my heart that many animals get abandoned, and it makes me happy being able to help in some way."

The business name Pucci Treats has been inspired by Ms Tommasoni's dogs Prada and Gucci.

She added the responses so far have been overwhelmingly positive.

"When I debuted the treats on Wagga Eats, the immediate response was so overwhelming in the best way that I sat in my car and cried for about 10 minutes," she said.

"Right now, I'm just trying to get people to know about the business and build an online following so that I can sell more treats and ultimately donate more."

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/Pucci-Treats-Wagga-103004005175268/.

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