Pets

Sara Williams, a veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist at NW Animal Hospital, didn’t expect much when she performed acupuncture for the first time on a dog with acute back pain. When she did, however, she found that the dog was able to move more easily and use its back legs more efficiently. She knew she was onto something and has never turned back in her holistic pursuits.

Take care of your furry friends this summer, like they take care of you. Here are some of the top dog grooming products from Woodbury’s Chuck and Don’s.

Shampoo and Conditioner
Isle of Dogs Everyday Elements offers a wide variety of shampoos. The Jasmine Vanilla will detangle and soften, while Red Berries Champagne is high–performing and offers odor control.

Grooming Tool

Bring your pup to the fourth annual Dog Days Downtown, started in 2015 by Kim Schoonover, owner of Indulge Salon. “We have big dog lovers, and we like to give treats when dogs come in with their owners,” Schoonover says.

“The first year we were on our own. The second year, many businesses jumped on board,” Schoonover says. Last year’s event had 200–300 people and their dogs.

Jennifer Kaeding admits her dog, Rooney, is spoiled. The easygoing Bernese mountain dog spends lots of time tagging along with Kaeding and her family. “We take him to as many places as we can,” says Kaeding.

Rooney is a frequent visitor to her office—Kaeding Architecture—located above the Waconia Brewing Company. Sometimes, after a long Friday,  the duo goes downstairs to unwind. The brewery allows dogs outside on its patio during warmer months and inside the seating area—which is walled off from the brew house—year-round.

Going on vacation is supposed to be fun and stress-free: This truism should apply to pet owners, as well. Reality is, there’s an added task—and sometimes stressor—when it comes to our fur babies: It can be hard to find the right place to send those beloved pets, whether for the night or an extended period of time. We compiled a list of great boarding options in the St. Croix Valley that will take care and love your pets almost as much as you do.

Canine Country Care
Location: Stillwater

After browsing numerous pet product websites, Pet Evolution co-owners Rian Thiele and Mike Osborne saw a need for a website that clearly showed what items people were purchasing for their furry friends. Best Pet Picks, Pet Evolution’s digital companion, seeks to offer only the best quality pet food, toys and more. “We define what’s in the food and the quality of the food,” Thiele says. The online option also allows the store to reach more members of the community, who cannot always leave their homes to get the supplies they need.

Consider these factors when making your decision.
As exciting as the decision of getting a pet seems, it can also be intimidating with the ever increasing variety of pets and services available. Here’s what Carissa Williamson, DVM, veterinarian at Oakwood Pet Clinic, recommends potential pet owner consider before committing to a furry friend.
 
Home Size
People considering a pet should determine the type based on whether they have “the right environment.” Housing sizes should be kept compatible with sizes of the pets, Williamson says.

Investing in classes benefits pets and their owners.
Training builds positive behaviors while creating a trusting bond with your dog. This can help foster a special relationship throughout your years together. Here are some classes available in the area:

Chuck and Don's gift baskets might include a Kong Pawzzle, cuttlebone and candy cane bone. Or go for the Dirty Dog Doormat, one of the most absorbant around (available at Angel's). And don't forget those chicken gifts from Houle's—a tin sign, ceramic nesting eggs, treat and seed balls, even a chicken leash!

As you’re making your holiday shopping list and checking it twice, don’t forget to add your furry (or feathered or scaly) family members to it. We’ve compiled a list of great gift ideas for pets. Whether you’ve got a dog, cat, fish or chicken, we’ve got you covered.