Named for Her. Made for Yours.

The Belle Shain Journal, No. 3 · Thursday, November 5, 2026

From the Canine Kitchen. The Belle Shain Canine Kitchen opens today, with two treats chosen the way Mary Shain chose for her own dogs.

My mother, Mary Shain, kept treats in her kitchen for the kennel dogs, especially the picky eaters. They were just as much her babies as we children were. When she married my father in 1959, the kennels took her name: Belle, French for beautiful, and Shain, for her.

Her standard is the one we still keep. Before we give anything to a dog, I ask one question: Would I give this to the dogs in my own care? If the answer is no, it doesn't go in the box.

Today the Belle Shain Canine Kitchen opens with two treats that passed.

Frank

From the Belle Shain Archives: Mary Shain

Mary Shain with Belle Shain's Miss Daisy. Belle, French for beautiful. Shain, for her.

Behind the Scenes: Packed by Hand on Fish River

Both recipes are baked for us in small batches in the USA. Every bag is packed by hand at the kennel in Fairhope and carried to the post office by one of us. Orders ship within two business days, or pick yours up free at the kennel.

Meet the Taste Testers

Every treat has to pass Frank's question. Then it has to pass them.

The Duchess · Turbo's Duchess of Belle Shain, Golden Retriever
Head of the panel. The Duchess rules the estate, and the rest of us are lucky to serve her. Nothing ships without her approval.

Wallace · Labrador Retriever
The youngest on the panel, and the least patient. Her review is in the photo.

Sophie · Spinone Italiano
The thoughtful one. Sophie considers every treat carefully, then takes it from Frank's hand as gently as you could ask.

From the Kitchen: Try Both

Peanut butter and blueberry, and sweet potato and honey with a touch of cinnamon and ginger. The easiest way to find your dog's favorite. If your dog won't eat them, we'll make it right.

Shop Try Both · Read our story

Closing from Fish River

November on Fish River means cooler mornings and dogs that work a little harder for their breakfast. Thank you for reading, and for being part of Belle Shain long before there was anything to buy.

From Fish River, Frank and Jamie