Sudsy Success Because Every Dog Has His Day Spa!
By Regan Michelle White

Do you love all-natural products? Ever feel frustrated at not being able to find the same all-natural alternatives for your pooch when it comes to bath products? Your search is over. All Labs is proud to feature Candace Smith’s Cain & Able Collection.

The Cain & Able Collection offers a high-end line of aromatherapy bath products for dogs that offer spa-style pampering while repelling bugs and fleas through all natural ingredients. Including everything from Paw Rub moisturizer, conditioning shampoo, lavender fresh Between Baths Spritz and oatmeal Soap-on-a-Rope, the Cain & Able Collection is as charming as it is practical. Products contain no detergents, artificial colors or synthetic perfumes and essential oils act as great smelling repellants, moisturizers and coat-rejuvenators.


Created in August of 2003 and officially launched in May 2004 after extensive product research and development, the Cain & Able Collection was formed by Louisiana native Candace Smith. She received plenty of inspiration, packaging and product advice from the company’s namesakes – her dogs, Cain and Able. Cain, a black German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix, and Able, a yellow Lab, provided Smith with the initial drive to craft the collection – and their influence has only grown with the product line’s success.

“I love all natural products and prefer never to use man-made chemicals,” Smith said. “I treat my dogs like members of the family and want to make sure they always get the best care,” she added. When her search for a mild, all-natural shampoo with added benefits like bug repellant turned fruitless, Smith decided to fill the void. In the end she, Cain and Able would end up producing a product line that stood apart not only for its dedication to high-quality, all-natural ingredients and benefits, but for its creative and classy product packaging. Cain & Able’s products are as pampering for dogs as they are practical. For example, the Soap-on-a-Rope contains oatmeal, aloe vera, shea butter and vitamin E oil – the perfect combination for dogs coping with sensitive skin, allergies or hot spots.

Smith’s recipe for concocting new spa products reflects her commitment to quality. “I get the idea for a product and research the best ingredients to use,” she said. “Just as importantly, I research chemicals that I want to make sure to avoid. From there I start formulating until I am satisfied.” Once Smith has arrived at a product, it circulates through her test market for input. “I have a test market consisting of neighbors, friends and family that give me feedback on the products before they go to market,” Smith said. “I test all the products on myself first before they are tested on Cain or Able.”

One glance at the Cain & Able Collection web site and it is clear that both Cain and Able are more than willing collaborators. Through playfully whimsical photography that reflects the tone of their product line, it is easy to gain a real sense of Smith’s product – and the four-legged ones that inspired it. “They are like my children,” Smith said of Cain and Able. “They are extremely intelligent and truly love unconditionally.” One secret to the great photos displayed on her site – both Cain & Able are posing for hot dogs! “In all the photos you see on our web site, Cain and Able pose for a hot dog. So when it looks like they are looking into a beautiful bathtub, they are actually drooling to get a treat,” Smith explained.




Smith is inseparable from her business partners – walking, hiking and biking with them every day at home in Austin, Texas. Like the Biblical brothers of similar name, Cain and Able have their differences. Their web site makes no bones about each pooch’s personality and edge in the business. Cain, the “tall, bark and handsome” brother, is best known for his sensible, straightforward, serious approach. Able, in typical Lab fashion, is more focused on goofing off and having fun. The creative force and motivator, Able is affectionately described as “Love comin’ at ya.” “Labs are gentle and loving,” Smith said. “Able is like my shadow – he never leaves my side and loves to cuddle.”











While the product line is still young, Smith’s ingenuity, business savvy and commitment to quality certainly aren’t green. Already the Cain & Able Collection has garnered awards such as the Spring 2005 Best Pet Product by Orca Communications and Austin’s Rookie of the Year, awarded to a new business that has demonstrated excellent management in its first year. And with plans ever in the works for expanding product lines, it is assured there will be no shortage of sudsy success for the future of the Cain & Able Collection.

See how well your Lab could clean up – the all-natural way – with the help of Cain and Able. Visit www.CainAndAbleCollection.com.