DINNERS- FOR DOGS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 18

DINNERS- FOR DOGS

Trade* That Brought Wealth

A smart blue and cream delivery van drives round the exclusive residential districts of several of America’s largest cities every day. ‘ J .• • On the side of the van is painted in green a small Scots terrier. H Above are the words “Canine Catering Company.” The van stops at' a mansion. A liveried chauffeur jumps out, hands a small package in at the back door, and continues his round. • ' His footstep, on, the gravel is usually the signal for a shrill outburst of excited barking. ■ .' . \ •• • Each package contains a dog’s dinner. On a papier-mache platter, wrapped in wax paper, is fresh beef or. lamb,-without fat or gristle, chopped in cubes. The meat has been soaked in vitamlncontainlng vegetable juices. It is accompanied by shredded lettuce or. cabbage.’ ’ ■ ; A fleet of these vans arrive daily at the homes of 4000 of America’s richest dogs. . 'j ' , . -, 'Dinners are delivered at homes bearing such famous names as Vanderbilt, and Whlthey,’ Behind this now accepted ritual in the homes of wealthy dog-owners lies a commercial romance—a new angle on the old success story of the Man Who -Had an .Idea. ’’ • , :' 2 ■- Leroy Goff, junior, Son of a wealthy Washington business man, has taken the worries of dog-feeding out of the hands .of the rich, and made a fortune in the i>roeess. \ .<• . Goff is thirty,- a small,’, fair-haired, good-looking man. .' / ■ When he graduated from Princeton eight years ago he went into the insurance business in Philadelphia. In his spare time he bred dogs as a hobby. This time last year he was still in insurance. At home he had twenty-four assorted dogs.

Then he lost a large sum of money in a business deal. ' ‘ > One day a friend visiting him asked him how he kept ffis dogs’ coats so healthy and glossy. “Let me feed your dogs for a few weeks, and I’ll guarantee to improve their coats,” said Golf. That was how the Idea was born. . Goff became Interested in this business of dog dietetics. He compiled menus for his own and his neighbours’ dogs. He worked in his garage, using his wife’s kitchen knives and his baby’s scales. !:• ■■ .* ■>;. v ; The improved condition of the dogs he fed was the only testimonial Goff required. ■ .-i Now his organisation occupies a twostorey building, and has a factory where they make dog meals on a wholesale scale. ’ ■ ' The factory l has cutting, ’ cooking, packing, shipping and reception rooms, and an office for a Government meat inspector. ■ • , : He has seven branches in different •towns. ■’ . 1 The Canine Catering Company has a daily' menu from which customers may choose" their dogs’meals. Goff su--pervises it, and it goes to all'brahches. . He has table d’hote lunches. The “veterinary” lunch consists of beef, vegetable, and a sweet in a separate paper cup. “Kennel” lunch is beef, cabbage, and shredded wheat. Both of these change over to fish on Fridays. Entrees cost Bd. a pound, liver 10d., and tongue 10} d. Beverages supplied include cod liver oil, goats’ milk and-bfoth. Special large bone for dessert costs threepence. Puppies and sick dogs have a special service. They'are supplied by 'the “puppy special”—a baby car. Goff values his business to-day "at £20,000.