Friday Feature: Meet Dawn of Dawn’s Doggie Delights | How One Woman Turned Her Love for Dogs into a Heartfelt Business—While Living with MG

Dawn has been living with myasthenia gravis (MG) since 2002. Over the years, she’s learned how to adapt her pace, listen to her body, and find joy in new passions. In 2021, inspired by her aging cocker spaniel and a vet’s suggestion, she began making homemade dog treats—and Dawn’s Doggie Delights was born. Since then, her business has grown into something much more than a booth at the market. It’s a symbol of perseverance, creativity, and love. We sat down with Dawn to hear her story.

You’ve been living with MG since 2002—how has your diagnosis shaped your path, both personally and professionally?

Before I was diagnosed, I was go, go, go all the time. I didn’t really slow down. I was living in California then, working and raising my kids, always on the move. But MG forced me to stop and reevaluate how I was living. I had to learn to readjust—and accept that life was going to look different. One doctor even told my kids that I was going to die. That shook us. Instead of giving up, I started to focus on what really mattered. A few years later, I moved to Missouri for a slower pace, and I could breathe here. I've had my family, and several friends follow. It was a big transition but finding a doctor in Missouri who really understood MG made all the difference. Having that support helped me regain a sense of stability and control. It’s not the life I expected, but it’s one I’ve made work.

What inspired you to start Dawn’s Doggie Delights, and how did your business journey

begin?

It was May 2021—on a Wednesday, actually. I had taken my 12-year-old cocker spaniel, Kodah, to the vet. He had anxiety and paced back and forth and sat and stared at the wall. The vet suggested giving her peanut butter to help the anxiety and nervousness. But she couldn’t eat regular peanut butter anymore, so I started baking my own dog treats using ingredients she could handle. That’s how it all started. I ended up creating 17 flavors. I lost her six months ago, on November 6, 2024. But she’s the reason I began, and I think about her every time I bake.

DOGGIE DELIGHTS FLAVORS

Treat Name	Flavor
BILLY'S BITES	Bacon Peanut Butter
SNICKER'S SNACK	Blueberry Peanut Butter
BUTCH'S BITS	Beef & Cheese
DOZER'S DOOZIES	Pineapple Peanut Butter, and Banana
DAISY'S DELIGHTS	Blueberry
EASTYN'S EDIBLES	Bacon Cheese
JESSE'S JUBILEES	Pumpkin
KAISER'S KIBBLES	Pear Peanut Butter
KODAH'S KANDIES	Peanut Butter
MAXI'S MADNESS	Raspberry Peanut Butter
MICKINLEE'S MUNCHIES	Strawberry Peanut Butter
NUNO'S NACKS	Berry Medley
ROWDY'S RITZ	Beef Stew
ROXY'S REASONS	Chicken
YUKA'S YUMMIES	Peach Peanut Butter
ZORA'S ZINGERS	Apple Peanut Butter

Tell us about your business partner and the role they’ve played in supporting you, especially during difficult MG symptom days.

Becky is my business partner, and she’s been my rock. We’ve known each other since 2004 and married in 2011, but she joined me full-time in 2025 after retiring. I do all the baking and prep, and she supports me in selling, vendor events, and all the extra logistics. When I have bad MG days, she steps up. I honestly couldn’t do this without her. My family and friends are my biggest supporters. My Stepdad, Jerry, was my biggest cheerleader he and my mom use to come to my Events he passed in July 2022. My mom is everything to me. She comes to most of my Events, supports my dreams and helps whenever I need or don't need it. 

You travel to markets in several states—how do you choose where to go, and what’s it like balancing travel with managing MG?

We mostly choose places where we have family or friends—it gives us a chance to visit while we’re working. We go to Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Northwest Arkansas. I prefer outdoor events, but the heat can be really tough on my body. After collapsing from heat exhaustion two years ago, my mom said, “You’re getting a buggy,” and now I use a golf cart at big events to get around. I’ve also got an enclosed tent, a camper, and a portable air conditioner to help me stay cool. Most event organizers are really understanding—they’ll make sure we’re near electricity so I can plug in fans or the A/C. It takes planning and a lot of adjusting, but you learn how to adapt and advocate for what you need.

How do you balance part-time work with running a small business and living with a rare disease?

I work part-time, 16 hours a week—Monday through Thursday, 8 to noon. I wake up at 4 a.m. to start baking, then head to work, and if I need to, I’ll bake more in the afternoon. But I’ve learned not to push myself too hard. With MG, fatigue can sneak up fast, and if I ignore it, I’ll pay for it later. I used to try to power through everything, but now I really listen to my body. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s part of my routine, just like working. Some days I need more breaks, and that’s okay. I’ve learned that listening to your body is one of the most powerful tools you have. You’ve got to be flexible and give yourself grace.

Maintaining work-life balance is important to me, too. If we don’t have vendor events on the

weekend, that’s my time—and I protect it. Those breaks help me reset and recharge for the busy days ahead. I’ve found that carving out time for myself is just as essential as meeting deadlines or baking cookies.

How have pets and your work with them supported your well-being throughout your MG journey?

Dogs are everything to me. They’re healing. We’ve got quite the pack—six dogs and a cat! Each one brings their own special energy to the house, and I’ve learned to lean into their rhythms. I’ve noticed that my animals often sense things before I do. There’s a certain calm and connection that comes from being around them.

Baking for them gives me purpose and joy. Even when I’m having a tough day with my MG, knowing I’m creating something that makes tails wag—it lifts me up. I’ve had people tell me their dogs refuse to eat anything else now. That means something. It’s not just about the cookies—it’s about the bond between pets and their owners, and being able to contribute to that bond is incredibly rewarding for me.

What do you wish more people understood about life with MG or rare diseases in general?

That we may look fine on the outside, but that doesn’t mean we’re not struggling. MG is sometimes invisible. People think, “Well, you were fine yesterday,” but symptoms come and go. It’s not predictable. We have to plan our lives around our energy. It takes strength just to show up sometimes.

Do you have a favorite story from the road or a special moment with a customer that has stuck with you?

Oh, I have several, but one of my favorites was at an event in Bethel, MO, when I was just starting out. I had just made my strawberry peanut butter and raspberry peanut butter treats. A guy came up to my booth and wanted a bag of the strawberry peanut butter treats. He opened the bag right in front of me, looked at me, and said, “Goodbye to that treat—if I don’t like it, my dog ain’t eating it.” About half an hour later, he came back and asked, “Can I get another bag?” I said, “Why, what happened to the other one?” He smiled and said, “I ate them!” That’s one of my favorites.

What advice would you give to someone living with a chronic illness who is dreaming of starting their own business?

Don’t give up. It might take longer. You’ll have to do things your own way—but that’s okay. Set boundaries. Listen to your body. And surround yourself with people who understand and support you. There’s always a way forward, even if it’s a different path than you imagined.

Where can people find your treats and follow along on your journey?

You can find me on Facebook at Dawn’s Doggie Delights or through our website, where you can order treats online. We’re at markets all the time—come say hi!

Dawn’s journey is a powerful reminder that life with a chronic illness doesn’t have to stop your dreams—it just asks you to reimagine them. Through determination, creativity, and the support of her partner Becky, Dawn has built a business that not only honors the memory of her beloved cocker spaniel but brings joy to dogs (and their humans) across the Midwest. Her story is proof that even when life slows you down, it can still be full of passion and purpose.