It's that time of the year when a mooncake makes for the perfect tea-time snack.
Made with lotus seed paste and with a salted duck egg yolk packed in its centre, the baked festive treat pops up in the homes of those celebrating the Chinese mid-autumn festival on Sept. 29.
The only hitch? Your pup can't lap it up.
But a New Westminster pet boutique has found a way to get both pets and their paw-rents pumped up about the festival by introducing a selection of pet-friendly mooncakes at its store.
BE Pawtique (610 Columbia St.), which has been offering grooming, spa, massage and training services for all pooches in the city since April, has partnered with Vancouver-based business All Pets Can Eat to bring out the paw-shaped mooncakes this season.
Available for pre-order until Sept. 20 at the store, co-owner Winnie Kwong the cakes are available in four varieties — beetroot and pork, sweet potato and kangaroo, turkey and honey, and the only vegetarian option, a pumpkin and honey combo.
The traditional mooncakes are normally very sweet, but these aren't, said Kwong, who runs the store along with pet groomer Joyce Lee.
The duck eggs that usually feature in the traditional mooncakes are replaced with baby carrots; the crust is made using oatmeal grind, with a mix of pumpkin and sweet potato.
"It's all the ingredients that dogs and cats can have," said Kwong.
While the cakes can be bought throughout the month, the boutique is inviting all Fidos and their owners to their downtown venue on Sept. 28 (between 6 and 8 p.m.) for a Chinese mid-autumn festival pawty.
For a $10 entry fee, the pups can bounce, wag and enjoy a treat that's apt for the night — a mooncake.
