The Story Behind Not Enough Dogs
Not Enough Dogs Barkery started with one dog, a long journey for answers, and a realization that changed the way we care for every dog in our home.
When Emmy Lou was around two years old, she began struggling with chronic infections in both ears, which is not uncommon in Spaniels. What followed were years of trying to find the right solution.
We changed veterinary clinics. We tried different medications and treatment plans. When her infections continued, we were referred to a veterinary dermatologist and spent nearly a year following a specialist treatment plan. We did what we thought we were supposed to do and what we believed was best for Emmy Lou.
Still, her ears weren't getting better.
Eventually, I reached out to a fellow dog lover with more than 40 years of experience caring for animals, including Spaniels. That conversation introduced me to a different perspective on caring for our dogs and prompted me to look more closely at their environment, nutrition, ingredients, and overall wellness.
Unfortunately, we were too late to save Emmy Lou’s left ear.
The damage had progressed to the point that surgery became necessary. During our surgical consultation, her surgeon listened as I walked through everything we had done the veterinarians, medications, specialist care, and years spent trying to help her. She explained that we had essentially followed the conventional veterinary path exactly as it was designed.
That conversation became a turning point for me.
It introduced me to the idea that caring for our animals doesn't have to begin and end with treating a problem after it appears. There is also value in looking at the whole picture: what they eat, what they're exposed to, the products we use around them, and the everyday choices we make on their behalf.
It Started With Food. Then It Became Bigger.
During the years we were searching for answers for Emmy Lou, I started researching dog food.
And down the rabbit hole I went.
I began reading ingredient labels differently. I questioned why certain ingredients were necessary. I paid closer attention to how food and treats were made and became increasingly intentional about what I was willing to feed my dogs.
Treats especially stood out to me.
We call them "treats," which can make them seem insignificant, but think about how many your dog gets. One after going outside. One for being a good dog. A few during training. Another because they're staring at you like they haven't eaten in three days.
It adds up.
If these little choices compound over a dog's lifetime, I want ours to be better ones.
That same philosophy eventually moved beyond their food bowls. I started looking at the products we brought into our home: from laundry and dishwasher detergents to cleaning products, personal care products, and dog shampoos. It became less about trying to make everything perfect and more about reducing unnecessary exposures where we reasonably could.
Small, intentional choices made every day can add up to something meaningful.
And That's How N.E.D. Was Born.
Emmy Lou's journey changed the way I think about caring for our dogs.
As their guardians, we make choices for them every single day. We decide what goes into their bowls, what treats they eat, what products they're exposed to, and ultimately, what we're willing to accept on their behalf.
Not Enough Dogs Barkery was created to make one of those choices simpler.
We make intentionally crafted, small-batch dog treats using clean, recognizable ingredients. No unnecessarily complicated ingredient panels. No ingredients added simply because they're convenient. Just treats we're proud to feed the dogs who inspired N.E.D. in the first place.
Because we may not be able to control everything our dogs encounter throughout their lives.
But we can be intentional about what we put in their bowls.
Truly Clean Ingredients. Made with Intention. Small Batch.