From Their Hands to Yours

Stories from the Market

For the Love of Dogs — Meet Live Free & Bark

We love our furbabies — their wet noses, lolling tongues and that ceaselessly wagging tail that says everything.

Here in New England, we’ve always loved our dogs. Our roots run deep, stretching back to the earliest days of settlement. Dogs protected us from wild animals and helped us survive the harsh New World. They guarded homesteads, helped hunt and even served as foot warmers in churches! Their loyalty and steadfastness have made them an integral part of New England life.

We don’t just own dogs — we consider them family. And as family members, we cherish them. Their health and well-being matter.

This week, we’re excited to spotlight a new vendor at the Salem NH Farmers Market — Live Free & Bark, a small, veteran-owned, family business with a big heart for dogs. They make natural dog chews using locally sourced ingredients, sure to keep those tails wagging.

What began as weekend experiments and late nights baking and taste-testing turned into thoughtfully made chews crafted from simple ingredients you know and trust. Each batch is mixed, baked, and packed by hand — no mass production, no factory feel — just healthy, locally made chews designed for all dogs, even the sensitive and picky ones.

We caught up with Haley to learn more about the story behind Live Free & Bark.

What inspired you to start your business for dogs?

I started Live Free & Bark in June 2025. I’m a dog mom to two dogs, and this business began as a personal adventure — creating a treat my dogs would love that was also made with human-grade ingredients.

I started making treats because of the pickiness of my older dog, Maximus. He’s extremely picky and not food-motivated, which made training — and spoiling him — challenging. I began by dehydrating chicken breast, which he absolutely loved. From there, it grew into experimenting with other proteins and getting more creative by mixing in fruits and veggies.

What made you choose the products you offer?

I wanted items like chicken backs, duck heads, chicken feet and similar chews to be part of our offerings because dogs naturally love all parts of an animal. These treats are unique and far more natural than many of the chews you typically find elsewhere.

What has the response been, and which products are most popular?

The response from our customers has been amazing. There are so many picky and sensitive dogs out there, and our products are perfect for them. I’ve had so many pet parents tell me they’ve struggled to find treats their dogs love — or can safely have — and now they finally have options.

Many customers come back to find us at the market or shop online because their dogs love the treats so much. Some even have to hide the bag because their pups get that excited.

How do you source your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced?

I source most of my ingredients from local farms and supermarkets. One challenge is pricing — buying locally and accounting for long dehydration times can be costly — but it’s absolutely worth it.

Anything planned for Valentine’s Day or Easter for our furbabies?

Of course! I have Valentine’s Day gift boxes for furbabies, filled with 4 ounces of treats for $18. When ordering online, you can choose up to four different chews and mix them inside the box.

So be sure to stop by their table at the market and find the perfect chew for your furbaby’s taste. Their nutritious, thoughtfully made treats will help ensure your pup can live free and bark for years to come.