Treats by William - Made With a Pinch of Love

03/22/2025

We are here and ready !! Hope to see you 9-3!!

Lincoln-Way HS 21707 Gouger Rd New Lenox

03/21/2025

MARK YOUR CALENDARS !!

Our vendor show line up, so far, 2025!

3-22 West Fest- Lincolnway HS - New Lenox 9am to 3pm

5-4 Morton Arboretum - Tails on the Trails - Lisle - 9 to 3 - bring your pup for some sample goodies !!

5-10 Mai Fest - Blue Island - 12-5

5-18 Bronkberry Farm - Plainfield - 9-3

6-7 and 8 - Willow Friends - Barrington
Times TBA

7-13 Dog Days Bronkberry Farm Plainfield 9-3 Bring your pups for samples and frozen pup cups!

7-20 Bronkberry Farm Plainfield 9 to 3

8-17 Bronkberry Farm Plainfield 9 to 3

9-21 Bronkberry Farm Plainfield 9 to 3

10-15/16 Witches Night Out - Jacob Henry Mansion Joliet 4-9pm

10 - 25/26 Plainfield Central HS - Sat 9-4, Sun 9-3

Remainder of year pending ! 

03/21/2025

TOMORROW is the day !!

9-3pm over 100 small businesses to support, food, raffles, performances by the band students and more!

Lincoln-Way West High School
21701 Gauger Rd - New Lenox

We’re also having HUGE discounts on our leftover holiday stock which do not expire until July!

Our entire line of dog and cat treats as well as our new SAY CHEESE ! flavor, will be available as well as our Barkeuterie Boxes, while supplies last, and handmade vinyl p**p bag holders!

Can’t wait to see you !!

Please like and share - it is greatly appreciated !

spotonthefox.com/treats-by-william

03/19/2025

Please come see us at our first vendor event of the year!!

THIS Saturday from 9am to 3pm at Lincoln Way West HS - 21701 Gauger Rd - New Lenox

Over 100 vendors with raffles, food and fun!

Support small business!!!

03/15/2025

INTRODUCING…..

Doggo Barkeuterie Box !!

These elegant, reasonably priced nutritious treats are sure to surprise your loyal fur friend with mouth slobbering, healthy goodness!

They contain 3 each of the following :

SAY CHEESE! Dog Treatos

The “Salami” slices consist of our Turkey Bacon Pumpkin recipe and stamped with positivity phrases OR YOUR business name or logo - email for more info [email protected]

The “cracker” is made with our Peanut Butter Pumpkin recipe and 1/2 dipped in unsweetened carob, non toxic to dogs.

See the guaranteed analysis for nutrition info.

Order now at:

spotsonthefox.com/treats-by-william

for free local pickup or shipping.

Also find them at PETS, ETC Plainfield

And soon to be in our other locations and at our vendor events TBA!

03/15/2025

Impending dangerous weather has been the subject of news and warnings all week.

I believe we can’t control anything but ourselves so we plan accordingly as we’ve had an F1 slide through our neighborhood years ago. Tearing off roof shingles and uprooting trees.

William clearly remembers this as he was swept up from his blurred sleep at 11pm to run for cover. It was scary.

William has Autism and with Autism
comes extreme anxiety.

He has spent the past two days following weather patterns, weather apps and sending me notifications of the upcoming events. His fear is real and needs calming addressing and validation.

He needed to take out the garbage today and due to the wind he didn’t want to go outside…although it was sunny.

I want him to find courage and independence. The girls and I stepped oitside with him - they sense the storm
and ran back in. Hazel, especially.

I do plead to mother nature to strike us with challenges in daylight instead of midnight to 2am. But alas, here we are planning for middle of the night action once again.

When you just want to close your eyes and find peace from a hectic day.

I’ve always found that preparedness is all we can do and eases worried minds.

We are sleeping on the couch together with our scared pups able to enter or leave their kennels as they see fit.

Our powder room is stocked with leashes, strong box with important papers, car keys in my purse, pillows, blankets, water bowl for the dogs , water for us, shoes, phones are charged, flashlight and candles.

We are due for high winds, hail, storms and possible tornados.

I can hear the wind crackling the trees and branches brushing against the siding.

To lighten up the evening we had sushi for dinner and watched 101 Dalmatians.

We’re snuggled under blankets, the pups are settled and sleeping, and we wait and hope for a peaceful night and anxieties to wash away with the rain.

03/10/2025

Without a thought, help was offered out of his passenger side door and the door held to the dentists office for a man much older than William.

You can say all you want about Autism but you will never meet more kind hearted, real individuals than William and his peers.

While I checked him in at the desk, William headed down to the waiting room.

The man’s wife stopped me and said “You should be very proud of your son, he’s a wonderful and thoughtful young man!”

I thanked her profusely while in my mind had racing thoughts of how many have pointed fingers, stared and judged him in his life during his struggles. It’s nice to be vocal about the good things more so.

Those kind words grow confidence where judgement breeds a lack of self esteem.

I mean WE know how amazing he is but when a stranger notices the efforts your kids put in to be good people without prompting, your heart grows with pride. You know the extra hard work they put in to just to fit their square peg into a round hole.

Not to mention how far he’s come with dental check ups.

I used to sit nervously while he’d wiggle, screech and push away the hygienist.

The dentist would go in for a tooth check with quick exploration in comparison to grabbing a person out of sharks mouth before being crushed by powerful jaws or a fleeing patient !!

Today, although anxiety increases with tools dangerously close to gums, he laid still and allowed them to do their job quickly and without interruption.

Me? I still sit anxiously, from previous experience, waiting for the shark to strike from still waters!

No cavities again!! So very happy no further visits are required!

Thank you to his hygienist, dentist and the unexpected strangers whose words of kindness and patience get us through each day with hope and perseverance.

03/07/2025

In some ways, Autism is similar to the neurotypical community.

When life gets overwhelming, sometimes you just need a mental health day, and yesterday was just that for William.

Balancing life and work responsibilities can be difficult while also supporting the emotional needs of a special needs individual. You learn to multi task, conquer, divide and prioritize.

William was happy to work with me yesterday restocking a few of our locations.

He hauled bins, boxes and chatted with kind hearted, friendly baristas who were more than happy to take time out of their busy morning to indulge his stories and, sometimes, oversharing.
That’s Autism!

He was very patient while I was barraged with phone calls, texts and emails in an equally as important situation for over 8 straight hours. All while working and trying to make his day as relaxed and calm as possible.

I want to give a shout out to parents and caregivers who put themselves last, balance their work and life with the needs of special needs. It can be quite a challenge completed out of love and dedication.

I can’t stress enough how the families in our community do NOT look for praise or sympathy. We are merely doing what is needed to help our loved ones live their best lives and to advocate for inclusion so the world may learn about what our lives are like through a pinhole of a view.

William is an amazing young man facing life with strength and perseverance through many challenges and making great strides one day at a time.

He is so loved and respected.

We appreciate our customers and stores and those who are so happy to meet William on the rare occasion that he is with me in the community!

We are restocked at :

Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue Resale Shop - Plainfield (closed Monday and Friday)

PETS, ETC - Plainfield

The Painted Tree C-9 - Naperville

Krema Coffee Roasters - Plainfield and Lockport

We appreciate likes and shares as we can reach more of the community with our healthy, preservative free treats and to share our mission 💕

Also find all of our products, including our NEW FLAVOR - “SAY CHEESE! Dog Treatos” on our website site:

spotsonthefox.com/treats-by-william

03/06/2025

SAY CHEESE! Dog Treatos are now available on our website, at Wags 2 Wishes resale shop where 30% of the profits go back to the rescue and soon to be at our other locations!! Your dogs will love the cheesy goodness! Pick some up today!

spotsonthefox.com/treats-by-william

02/28/2025

Orland Park and surrounding area friends!!

Come see us at The Nest & Company for our full stock of preservative free dog and cat treats including our Limited time 6oz Easter Treat bags!

All of our treats have an 8 month shelf life!

Support small businesses and the world of Autism who we provide job skill training for!

Has restocked on preservative free treats! Shop for your pup today at the Nest 🪺

11306 W Southwest Hwy, Orland Park IL
331-457-0475

thenestandcompany.com

Store Hours🪺
Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-3pm

02/26/2025

What happens to an Autistic/Special Needs person after high school graduation? Once they turn 18.

Could they attend college? Sure!

Can they attend a trade school or get a job? Sure!

Will they need lifetime support? Sure!

However, when you’ve met one person with Autism/specialneeds, you’ve met one person with Autism/special needs.

Some will need lifetime constant support of possibly a group home once their main caregiver(s) have passed. That’s very scary for these families.

Some will live with family, semi independent and some will gain full independence with minimal support.

We just completed 4 zoom hours and 62 pages, with weeks of preparations, for Williams 3 year evaluation and IEP.

When high school ends, he begins a 4 year transition program with his school.

Most special needs families, like ours, acquires guardianship of our kiddos well beyond their 18th year and possibly their lifetime.

Most are unable to step into adulthood just knowing and being capable of all life skills, self care, medical care, financial budgeting and advocacy for themselves.

The transition program will continue his education while turning focus to walking him through job skill training in his areas of interest with the supports he requires. He will require 1:1 support.

When it comes to William, who you interact with face to face is very different from his professionally stated supports and levels of academics written in black and white on legal school forms.

The supports he requires are well beyond what you may believe him to need.

In fact, as a parent, reading our kiddos IEP’s (Individual education plans) can be daunting and disheartening because you want your child to succeed at “typical“ levels and just “fit in”.

Like William, you would see that he is developmentally delayed by years in many subjects however, he is extremely intelligent.

He has a lot of common sense, maturity and lives with integrity.

It doesn’t mean that he can’t learn those things. Williams brain fires differently. He just learns them at a much, much slower pace with a great deal of 1:1 support and coping skills.

But the important thing is that they are receiving ALL of the supports that they need in order to succeed at the rate in which they are personally capable of to achieve their own great success. Those supports taken away from them is detrimental to their growth in life.

Therefore, even though William is currently a Sophomore, we are already planning for the details and supports of his 4 year transition program.

It’s wonderful that he can remain in his current school of 8 years where he has routine, consistency, is familiar with staff and vise versa.

This is why we advocate and blog.

There are a lot of misunderstandings, and rightfully so when you don’t live with them and advocate for them daily, with special needs individuals that they just carry on as any young adult. They do not. Their care continues.

Consistency is key in all of life’s goals.

Along with his entire village, we will continue to advocate and plan for the best future for and with William with hopes of independent living in his future.

02/20/2025

This is why I love animals more than some humans.

They are compassionate, caring, aware, non judgemental and unconditionally loving.

They’re not hateful and vindictive.

Giving snuggles and comfort is innate.

With unspoken empathy, Hazel and Stella have been at Williams side, and feet this week.

Our concern is Snoopys friend, Rocket, who is now finding herself alone and confused.

Animals grieve also and they’ve been cage mates since day 1 and came into our home as babies.

They’ve been with us for almost 5 years.

Rocket has been given special attention.

William did a gentle, quiet cage cleaning today and spoke to her gently reassuring that we love her.

She was given fresh food and her favorite veggies but she’s not been interested in eating or drinking.

Marshmallow, our 7 year old grandma pig in a separate condo because she likes to be alone, is clueless as to the current events.

We’re considering trying to have these 2 thrive together, but that’s a tall order.

Time heals and these 2 four legged canine fur fiends are the best medicine for William 💕

Never underestimate the loyalty of a fur friend 💕

02/18/2025

It is said that “Grief is Love”.

Without love there would be no grief with a loss.

In spite of our best efforts, medicines, love and care, Snoopy passed away over night.

I found her laying peacefully with her friend, Rocket , by her side this morning.

Without question, William is devastated.

But, I’ve mentioned his extreme maturity in the past.

After the initial news was delivered, he held her close for awhile, cried and then passed her to me, he said” I love her so much and miss her but at least we knew she was sick unlike when we lost Hershey” (back in 2020, his first GP).

His heart is broken but with his undeniable resilience he will persevere.

Thank you all for your sweet messages, love and prayers.

He’s staying home from school today to process and spend time with his other fur babies.

“It’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all” Alfred Lord Tenyson

02/18/2025

With Autism, every event, good or bad, is felt ten fold.

They aren’t tiny emotions easily soothed with a hug and some reassuring words.

It’s BIG feelings that are difficult to process.

While cleaning our piggie cages on Saturday afternoon, William noticed blood spots glazing over some of the bright white fluff cushioning their cage.

My first thought was UTI, but which fur potato was it?

Snoopy has a history of UTI’s but it’s been 4 years. Her house was the first I lifted to investigate.

There it was.

The red stained corner I dreaded to see.

It’s important to act quickly with these littles.

We spent 3 hours at an emergency exotic animal vet an hour away waiting for news and next steps.

I watched William as he tried to focus so hard on the kids movie playing on the tv but the worry was obvious in his eyes and body language.

We were called into a room with a nurse and told that they had gotten a sample and needed to do X-rays.

Xrays!! I totally hadn’t thought of the possibility of stones.

Our anxiety rose, although kept under wraps, knowing what that entailed as far as expense and recovery.

How do you tell a child who’s already lost so much that we may not be able to manage the surgery. The bill was already staggering. My stomach turned.

We waited another hour which seemed like an eternity as William grew hungry, nervous and agitated.

I tried to block out listening to staff discuss final plans and cremation with devastated owners.

I just watched the sun set and pleaded with the powers that be for William to be spared another disappointment.

Once again they called us into a room, only this time it was with the vet.

I took a deep breath that I thought I could hold forever if only he’d deliver good news.

As he began to share, I let out a huge sigh of relief as he said they hadn’t found stones but her UTI was serious and the lining of her bladder had coagulation.

We were released with antibiotics and pain meds and a follow up date.

She’s very weak, not eating and we’re hydrating her with a syringe. I don’t feel that we’re out of woods yet. However, she’s feisty with her meds and has the strength to wiggle away.

Day 2 of meds and hoping with rest she’ll show improvement tomorrow.

Dr William and Nurse Stella sat close by her side after med time and water and tried some favorite veggies with just a nibble.

Tomorrow is another day.

The sun will rise and we will continue to provide Snoopy with lots of TLC.

Keep William and Snoopy in your hearts and send healing thoughts her way and peace to Williams worries.

02/14/2025

In true William fashion his eyes opened at 5am on a special day and he dove into bed next to me.

At first it didn’t dawn on me why he was awake so very early. Then the “aha” moment hit!

Even Valentines Day holds promise of a small gift. A temporary feel good in a tumultuous life. 

I had him hang out a bit and watch some Paw Patrol before heading downstairs.

Before I could swing my legs over the bed I heard the call I’ve gotten so many times;

“MOM, you have to come see the beautiful Valentines Day sky!”

He held me stable while I balanced on the edge of the couch to get a good shot of the beautifully blended welcoming hues.

I will forever be in awe of his appreciation of our universe and its messages.

Take pause today to appreciate the little things we tend to take for granted.

That’s love!

A Happy Valentines Day to all ! 💗

02/12/2025

This morning we had what I like to call an Autism morning.

We work very hard to keep routine while interjecting a change here and there for growth experience.

However, on school days it’s important to keep it routine, calm with expectations granted for the best possible start to his day. It helps everyone.

At 7:45 Williams transportation called to say they’d be running late and asked if I’d mind taking him to school today. A minor change in the morning, that’s happened in the past, so no big deal .

I had an appt but with a little rearranging I could make both on time.

As I’m informing William of the change he is frantically looking for his 2nd favorite shoe.

A certain golden retriever, ahem Hazel, likes to “borrow” shoes. We searched EVERYWHERE!!

No where to be found !

He wanted to wear his cowboy boots. He cannot. That’s another story.

I texted his teacher about the situation and asked if he could wear the boots to school, take them off and have his socks on for today.

They’re in a small school, no lunchroom, carpeted, walk a couple doors away for a room change, put in lots of supports to help the kids thrive and have taken shoes off during breaks.

Administration declined.

Which meant if we couldn’t find the match, he couldn’t go to school.

We were already running late searching for shoe #2.

Being yet another change to the day I tried to find a 2nd pair of gym shoes for him.

I felt the stress rising and meltdown impending. The air in the house was thick.

I did find the other pair.

They weren’t the “ones”.

Didn’t fit right.

Hurt his feet.

The meltdown began.

In a last ditch attempt dad came up a typical hiding spot and that’s where it was!

Shoes changed, dogs secured, alarm set and running out the door we made it a bit late, but made it.

Williams therapeutic day school is amazing providing him the supports he needs to succeed through his next 6 years there. If it’s still going to be available to him.

This simple request being denied was surprising and annoying, to say the least.

It set him off to start his school day escalated, upset and frustrated.

I voiced my opinion to his teacher regarding admins decisions and said they put in so many supports for our kids success that denying this was ridiculous, imo.

We both made it through the day.

His was rough, as expected.

Sometimes even those who are supposed to understand and support the needs of Autism, don’t.

He was expected to miss a day of school over shoes. No, it’s not right.

Tomorrow is another day.

An e-learning day due to impending snow. Another annoyance, when school is cancelled before air falls from the sky. A subject for another day!

I no longer require him to participate in e-learning. After the stress, anxiety and meltdowns of Covid, unless the world shuts down again, there’s no way.

Just a day in the life of Autism.

02/09/2025

Be conscious of what you say and do.

Children are always watching, listening and learning from adults. Absorbing kind, loving actions is what they should be learning in order to create kind, loving adults.

They are much smarter and aware than they are given credit for.

They are observers. Especially William. Hes aware of what you think of him by your actions. Talk is cheap.

I’ve been down with a kidney infection for a few days. If you’ve had one, you know they’re miserable.

My husband immediately stepped into the Mr Mom roll.

He’s been waiting on me without complaint and lovingly demanding I go up to bed early or take a nap. “I’ve got this” he reassured me.

He cooked us dinner, took care of William and the dogs and put William to bed for me each night.

He took William to a movie today so I could try to nap and endured a row of 10 years olds having been dropped off without adult supervision.

I don’t have to tell you the noise and throwing popcorn that ensued from that. But he tolerated it. Another lesson to be taught, tolerance.

It’s hard for me to have someone taking care of me, Im the caregiver, but under the circumstances, I relented to his kindness and care.

Before leaving for the movie, William covered me with his favorite guinea pig blanket, over a blanket already warming me, and said “ I don’t want you to be cold”. He took his Nanas blanket to the movie.

Although I’m his person and he’s used to me at his side at bedtime, movies, shopping, meals etc, there were no complaints about dad putting him to bed last night and today so I could go up to bed early.

I can’t remember the last time I was in bed before 830!

William watched his dad take great care of us and we take great care of him.

He’s becoming a mature, caring young man from the actions of those he spends the most time with. Thankfully.

He has a heart of gold and it shows.

Stella napped at my feet and Hazel up against the couch beneath me while I had a few hours of quiet time.

I’m truly grateful for my boys and watching William grow into such a mature young man.

02/03/2025

Happy National Golden Retriever Day!

Hazel and Stella are angels sent from Gypsy.

Although other dogs weren’t her bag, Gypsy knew William needed support, unconditional love and companionship.
He loved her so much .

The combination of their personalities is all encompassing.

Stella is loaded with expression, empathy, compassion and loves to snuggle anyone who will allow it when she feels comfortable with you. A true reflection of living on the streets.

Never knowing where your next meal will come from, fearing for your safety and so appreciative of the love she now receives.

Hazel is playful, energetic, full of shenanigans and keeps us entertained everyday.

The excitement she exudes the minute someone comes to see her is met with pure joy, bum wiggles and you are sure to be greeted with the nearest toy.

Stella is teaching Hazel that snuggles and closeness are not scary.

Hazel is teaching Stella bravery, how to play and to stand her ground.

After months of carrying them to the front sidewalk for a walk, they now get excited and run to the door, wait for their leashes and walk right out !

Going into the out is still scary at times.

Hazel pulls like a cantering horse and Stella startles at loud cars or strange noises but they’re now stopping to smell their neighborhood and seeing the sights knowing that they now have a safe loving home to return to each time.

They are helping us show William what unconditional love is and that no matter how your day was, they are always here to greet him home and show him love.

In the photo on the left, William had come home from school feeling sad.

I sat on the floor with him to talk when both Hazel and Stella stepped in to love on him and make him laugh.

Truly a gift from the universe to fill our hearts.

Thank you for completing our family!