The Early Days: Part 2 — Scooby Snackin'

My favorite part of watching Scooby-Doo as a child was eating my very own Scooby Snacks every time the characters did. Now, since I've grown up, I've begun to question exactly what was in those snacks, and what gave Shag and Scooby the perpetual munchies, but that's another post altogether.

Much like spinach for Pop-Eye, a ring for the Green Lantern, and Acme traps for Wiley Coyote, Scooby Snacks were a source of power for the Scooby gang. They gave the kids the strength to seek that baddie, climb into that creaking attic, split up again. Whatever it was, it worked for them, and I wanted some of my own. It's hard work for a kid to sit still for a half-hour. For this kid in particular, I needed all the help I could get. You know what's a great idea in this situation? Adding sugar!

Against all logic, my mom obliged. Now, my Snacks weren't officially Warner Brothers approved, though I know some versions eventually did make it on the market (also, branded dog treats...in confusingly similar packaging. Ruh-roh):

Those were little round cookies, much more like the "real" ones on TV. Instead, mine were chocolate nonpareils, like these:

I don't know what gave my mom the idea to dub these Scooby Snacks. But the name has stuck. I have, in fact, tried to order these as Scooby Snacks at the movies. 

Whatever the reasoning, it's been one of those special little things that's stayed with me through the years. Thanks, Mom!