Largo man sends own rescue aid: dog treats

Craig Morse makes dog treats. When he read about the animals at the attack site, he knew what he had to do.

By PIPER JONES CASTILLO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 30, 2001

When Craig Morse, owner of Josh's Original Gourmet Firehouse Dog Treats, heard there were 350 rescue dogs working with the emergency crews at the World Trade Center, it was only natural for him to offer up his homemade treats.

"I saw news coverage on the dogs, and I immediately thought of donating the biscuits," said Morse, 45.

Until the rescue dogs have completed their work, his company at 13712 66th St. N, Largo, will continue to send 60-pound packages of treats every three days to the working animals. Morse plans on sending at least 300 pounds total.

Craig and his wife, Charisse, began the business after their Dalmatian, Josh, developed food allergies. The couple began making dog biscuits from scratch, combining meat-flavored baby food, flour, yeast and milk. Since 1997, area pet stores including Petland and Animal House have sold Josh's treats, ranging in price from $1 to $3, depending on size and style.

Each morning, Craig Morse and his employee, Jerry Wells, mix the ingredients. They cut the dough into shapes. When the biscuits are cooked, Morse's wife, Charisse, or his nieces, Pam Makrianes and Paula Beecher, stop by to decorate the cellophane packages with stickers, glitter and bows.

Mr. Morse sends the biscuits to the SPCA in Suffolk County, N.Y., which staffs the makeshift relief center for the dogs in lower Manhattan.

"Of course, each handler feeds their own dogs their big meals, but treats like Josh's we can always use," said David Ramos, director of the Suffolk County SPCA. "The rescue dogs have been so incredibly well taken care of, probably better than their handlers."

Because of the outpouring of donations worldwide to help the dogs involved in the relief effort, SPCA officials request that individuals make monetary donations only. However, specialty businesses like Josh's continue to supply the SPCA with particular items.

"We only send 60-pound increments because the SPCA is working out of a 40-foot trailer. Because of the lack of space, we don't want to overburden," Morse said.

The rescue dogs, including Dalmatians, German shepherds and Labrador retrievers, have been brought in by police in New York City and Suffolk County, and from as far away as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ramos said.

"The generosity has been amazing and sometimes amusing," Ramos said. "For example, today, we're supposedly getting a gizmo to give dogs showers and blow them dry," he said. "The support is wonderful, and we're thankful, but I stress that individuals send money. For example, we have a generator down there that needs diesel fuel. We need money to keep that generator going," he said.

While Morse makes the rescue dogs the non-allergenic treats, his second Dalmatian, a puppy named Jake, sits nearby. Josh passed away in 2000.

"We are always concerned about dogs, and down here, people are limited on how to help in the relief effort. Sending the dogs these biscuits is my solution to not feel so helpless."

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