Scraps are the last thing you'll get your dog at this new pet supply store [0] located above the Whole Foods [0] store on Denny Way. The tag line is a better descriptor: "healthy grub & cool gear." The shop carries nine premium lines of all-natural pet food for dogs and cats, some of it organically certified. They even have a raw diet for your health-conscious furry friend. Owners Dave Figueroa and Richard Vander Meer are serious about putting the best food on your dog's table. "We can assist people with many of their pet's issues through diet," says Figueroa. "If they have allergies, there are foods we can recommend."
There's no junk food here – even the treats and bakery items are all natural. The elaborately decorated biscuits and cookies are made locally with human grade ingredients. "You can eat them, but they're probably not sweet enough for you," says Figueroa. Though I have to admit the doggie donuts, carob and yogurt covered "dawg houses," and "cannolis" were mighty tempting. Prices range from 75 cents to $2.50 per treat.
Figueroa worked to create a pleasing, urban shopping experience in his shop. A giant black and white photo of Koji and Miya, his two Shiba Inus, graces one wall. The modern display lighting is tasteful rather than the harsh fluorescent lights in most stores. It softly illuminates displays of rawhides and chews, doggie couture, collars and toys.
Some items you won't want to miss: angora sweaters for canine fashionistas ($40 and up); all-weather rain coats for the practical dog ($40-$60); plain and fancy collars ($10-$78); colored leather collars studded with Swarovski crystals ($78); spa products for Fi Fi and Fido ($18 for a set of four products); and comfy dog beds in a variety of sizes and fabrics ($65-$200, custom designs available).
Figueroa plans to have a small lounger area in the shop with reference books on nutrition and other dog topics. "You can come hang out with your dog," he says. One thing is certain: Your pooch won't go away hungry.
Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
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