When customers walk into Bone Appetit, its CEO barks his greeting.

Yes, barks.

The CEO is Scout, the border collie sitting behind the cash register.

His "manager" Pam Miller also greets customers and lets them explore the homemade and unique items in her store.

"If only we could get him to operate the cash register," Miller said of her pet.

Miller, the owner, opened Bone Appetit Canine Bakery on Tuesday. The store, located at 1211 Fourth St. NW, sells fresh-baked dog treats along with accessories and toys for dogs. Dog lovers can buy dog-themed clothing, jewelry and ornaments.

"It's just really fun stuff," Miller said.

Miller has been selling all-natural homemade dog treats for three years. The recipes are her own and have been approved by a local veterinarian. The ingredients are simple -- white and whole wheat flour, vegetable oil and peanut butter, for example. She uses Kraft cheese in her cheddar cheese biscuits.

"You see so many ingredients you can't even pronounce and that's kind of scary," Miller said of name-brand biscuits.

Miller stays away from adding salt and sugar to the biscuits. Because the treats do not have preservatives, they tend to be crunchier than store-bought treats, she said. The biscuits stay fresh for four to five months.

"If they last that long," Miller said, smiling. "We hope they get eaten before that."

The most popular are the peanut butter and cheddar cheese flavors, she said.

"Even the most finicky dog likes something," Miller said.

The store spans three rooms in a house, which used to be part of the Grandma's House store. Each room contains gifts for dogs and people.

"Often you see cat stuff, but you don't find dog things," Miller said.

Dogs are welcome to shop with their owners at the store as well. Treats sit on a table near the cash register. One labeled "for four-legged friends" contains dog biscuits. The other canister is full of chocolate bars for "two-legged" friends.

"It creates a whole different environment when you have a pet around," Miller said.

Chew toys with funny faces, holders to keep dog dishes in place and rawhide Christmas cards are just some of the unique gifts that fill the shelves and tables at Bone Appetit. Even a dog cologne line, featuring scents like cK-9 and Tommy Holedigger, are for sale.

Dog lovers can pick out sweatshirts from Miller's "paw"formance line. Necklaces with a dog themes and board games such as "Dogopoly" are just some of the items for people.

Some purchases help four-legged friends in the area. For every angel dog Christmas ornament purchased, a dollar goes to the Mower County Humane Society.

Miller also has been involved with the Humane Society through the Holiday Photo Shoot program for four years. She and her friend who owns The Photo Shoppe in St. Ansgar sponsor the shoot.

"All proceeds go right to the shelter," Miller said, adding that she wants to raise more awareness of the Humane Society.

Miller said she has been a dog lover all her life, but did not get her first dog until she was 13. That dog was with her for 19 years and since then she has had two more. Although losing a dog is hard, she cannot imagine not having one.

"I haven't met a dog I didn't like," she said.

Before opening the store, Miller was the athletic director at St. Mark's Lutheran Home for 12 years. Two years ago she decided to pursue her own business.

"I'm just following a dream. This is what its all about, pursuing a passion, loving dogs," Miller said.

Bone Appetit Canine Bakery is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information call Pam Miller at 434-5441 or visit her Web site at www.mydogsbakery.com.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com