WORKING -- Keri Shrimpton

SHE IS

A dog’s best friend.

BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

Keri Shrimpton earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Santa Clara

University with the intention of going to medical school. But that’s not

what the doctor prescribed. After graduation, the Lido Island resident

was working as a nanny when she saw a sign in the window of the 3 Dog

Bakery, which, as the name implies, bakes treats for pooches.

“I’ve had a lifetime love of animals,” Shrimpton said. “I saw the sign

and and it just said ‘This is for you.’ It’s a nice way to spend my day.”

After spending a year in training while working sales for the bakery,

Shrimpton is ready -- she takes over the reins of pastry chef this

Christmas.

TOP DOG

Not only did she not attend culinary school as required for most chefs,

she doesn’t even bake at home, Shrimpton said.

But Shrimpton can’t wait to experiment. She has learned the basics of the

‘pup tart’, the ‘pup cake’, the ‘basset bones’ and the ‘chio wow pizzas.’

Now it’s time to come up with some tantalizing treats of her own.

Although she said the recipes mainly come from the headquarters in Kansas

City, there is always room for creativity.

“I haven’t come up with a specific treat yet, but I want to keep things

new and fresh -- keep people interested,” she said.

NO TIME TO BE A LAZYBONES

While she bakes for boxers and basset hounds, she still finds time to

care for kiddies.

Despite her schedule of working four to five days a week at the bakery,

she still acts as a nanny to two local families three day a week.

When she does manage to beg off from her duties for a few hours,

Shrimpton said she likes to go the movies and read.

BREEDING NEW IDEAS

From med student to chef, Shrimpton is now considering law school. Her

plan is to attend law school in California -- hopefully UCLA, so she can

continue to work part-time in the gourmet biscuit business.

Her goal is to practice international law.

“On the side, I definitely want to champion animal causes,” she said.

In the meantime, she will be baking her way into the hearts of canines.