LEXINGTON, Ky. — Knick-knack Paddywhack Give a Dog a Scone ...

And a cheesecake, a doughnut, and a chocolate truffle — all gourmet treats offered at the first dog bakery in Lexington, Ky.

Clay Harvey, 24, and his mother, Kathy Harvey, opened the store called For the Love of Dogs in November.

Some of his clients are people younger than 30 who delay having children and are doting on their dogs in the meantime. Then there are the couples whose children have grown up and left home, leaving extra time and money to pamper pets.

Those two groups and many other dog owners spend between $1.59 and $2.99 on a gourmet treat, or $7.99 a pound on 31 flavors of dog bones sold in bulk. The treats are baked onsite and made with the same ingredients as food for people.

"We take a healthier approach — no corn, wheat or soy," Harvey said.

Dogs love it.

"People who have tasted the food say it's a little bland because we don't use sugar, but that it doesn't taste too bad," he said.

Harvey says he's not just offering a novelty. He said his treats help combat obesity, food allergies and other dog health problems.

Katherine Newsome and Tom Lefebvre carried a teacup Yorkie named Chloe into the store Saturday and bought a cake to celebrate Chloe's first birthday. The store offers Pooch Party packages that include a personalized cake, party hats, invitations and goody bags.

"People love their animals," Lefebvre said.

Dog bakeries are popping up all over the country.

There's a franchised national chain called Three Dog Bakery. And Shannan Felix of Richmond, Ky., has expanded her dog-sitting service to include a private baking business for dogs. Like the Lexington bakery, Felix offers healthful treats. She says much of her business is conducted through her Web site, Barkerytreats.com.

"At Christmas, we were baking 24 hours a day," she said.

Besides its line of functional and offbeat pet products, For the Love of Dogs is also becoming a gathering spot for people who have pet-related businesses and interests, Harvey said.

Carol McConnell and Rebecca Croucher, members of an all-volunteer organization called GRRAND that rescues and finds homes for golden retrievers, were in the store recently watching the animated Disney movie "Lady and the Tramp" with Croucher's dog Omar. They say they've become regular customers because Omar likes the leashes the store sells, not to mention the pumpkin treats.

Latifa Meena of Lawrenceburg, Ky., an animal communicator who helps pet owners determine what's causing their pet's odd behavior, walked among the bakery's customers offering advice.

Stephanie Bell, who sells couture for pampered pets through a Lexington business she calls Fancy Furs, had a question: Why does Bell's long-haired Chihuahua named Lily insist on urinating on the floor?

Meena said Lily was angry because another dog in the house was getting too much attention.

Surrounded by all the sweets in the bakery, though, Lily was not only in pretty good humor, she was wearing an attention-getting sweater and pearls designed by her owner.

"She left her UK cheerleading uniform at home," Bell said.