Everyone loves their pets. They’re bonafied members of the family, offering support and affection just like our two-legged companions (except without any care whether we’re late for dinner or crabby from a long day at work). That’s why we scoured the area for the best pet products and services, from shops to hotels to blueberry facials, so that you can choose the best ways to pamper your four-legged friend.
Pet Shops
LuLu & Luigi
Have a truly discerning dog or cat in the house? Then you are probably already hip to LuLu & Luigi. This pet boutique offers the most “awww”-inducing pet accessories on the market, from chic little somethings to dress them in, to the most luxe pet beds for them to nap in. So what’s new this spring, for pets that deserve the hottest new products? For dogs, look for monogrammed collars in fun fabrics, bright colors and patterns, as well as a collection of all-natural vintage-styled wool toys (made fair-trade in Nepal). Also consider the Thundershirt; the garment’s gentle, constant pressure has a calming effect on your pup if he’s anxious, fearful or over-excited.
For the kitties, look for the Cat Eye Bed, a sturdy structure with a plush, cozy napping spot inside and a sisal scratching surface on top, plus a detachable feather wand toy to keep your cat endlessly entertained. And for a whimsical gift, they offer darling, embroidered catnip-filled toys in shapes such as doughnuts, bowls of miso soup and wasabi.
A pampered pet’s visit to LuLu & Luigi certainly wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Grooming Pawlour. Choose from simple grooming options (“bath, brush and style”), or tap into luxury with aromatherapy shampoos, sore joint treatments, hair coloring and pet-a-cures. New to the Pawlour is the all-natural, hypo-allergenic, tearless blueberry facial, which removes dander, dirt and tear stains while relaxing your pup with a pleasant massage and calming scents. Here, the pampered pet truly meets its match. 3699 Joppa Ave., St. Louis Park; 952.929.1200
Bone Adventure
All-natural, locally sourced foods are all the rage in cooking these days. So why would you want to serve Fido and Whiskers anything less than you’re putting on the kitchen table? Bone Adventure boasts a serious offering of premium pet foods and treats, many of which focus on a grain-free diet and ingredients that are sourced in North America. Canadian brands such as Orijen are biologically appropriate, made of 80-percent premium meat and 20-percent fruits, vegetables and botanicals, mimicking the mix of what your pet would eat naturally. Brands such as Stella & Chewy’s offer frozen and freeze-dried dinners and treats, the ingredient list of which includes raw, naturally raised meats and fish, organic fruits and vegetables, and a glaring absence of preservatives, sugars and salts. To keep is super local, there’s Sojos, Northeast Minneapolis’s own maker of uber-natural pet food mixes that you blend with water and meat at home for the freshest possible pet dinners.
The 20-year-old shop also offers a wide selection of perfectly patterned pet beds, toys, leashes and collars, and tries to stock locally made or US-made products whenever possible, such as the stylish Minnesota-made Bark and Biscuit collars. And should your pet need a simple grooming, teeth cleaning or nail grinding, they do that too, using all natural shampoos, of course. 5045 France Ave S.; 612.920.2201
Think happy hour is a luxury for the two-legged? Think again. A Pet’s Place hosts a Yappy Hour every Tuesday, where people can bring their dogs in to the store to socialize while enjoying light snacks and drinks. Every weekend, the store also partners with various local animal rescue groups to host a “breed rescue” event, where they fill the store with great Danes or poodles so the public can easily get acquainted.
When not hosting social functions, the store boasts a general everything-you-could-need for your dogs, cats and birds. (Yes, they haven’t forgotten your aviary pets, so look for their selection of bird accessories and toys.) A big draw for the store is their charming selection of dog and cat outfits, including sports jerseys and collars emblazoned with local team logos such as Vikings or Twins. 2600 Southdale Ctr.; 952.926.3099
Pet Portraiture
Stray Dog Arts
Any good pet lover likely has a huge stash of pet photos, catching your beloved when he’s taking over the laundry basket or contorted on the couch, or maybe your four-legged friend is even in the professional family photo. But why not take it a step further and have your pet’s visage forever inked in oils. Local artist Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts, who turned her love of people portraiture into a full-blown career of pet portraiture, can do just that.
She starts by doing a photo shoot with your pet and together you select the perfect image to turn into a positively colorful work of art, capturing the true essence of your pet. The ever-popular Marianiello is currently booked out just over a year, so expect to wait that long between the shoot and the finished product. From a small picture of your kitten, to a large-scale portrait of your horse, Marianiello’s custom portraits range from $1,800 to $25,000. Your pet is definitely worth it.
Grooming
Aussie Pet Mobile
Life is busy, so instead of bringing your pet to the groomer, let them visit you. The local branch of the international Aussie Pet Mobile offers a 15-step spa grooming for both cats and dogs, which includes a long list of services such as eye cleaning, brushing, ear cleaning, deodorizing…and topping it all off with a bow in their fur. Their service is totally one-on-one, and with no cages involved, your pet will be way less stressed by the process. A calm, clean pet without leaving home? Now that’s a luxury. 952.943.0032
Pet Clips
A tried and true 50th and France institution, Pet Clips continues to be a customer favorite. They pride themselves on keeping your dogs and cats so fresh and so clean, not to mention precisely sheared and perfectly coifed, and doing so at an affordable price. Fresh from his grooming, your pet will be ready to strut the downtown intersection with confidence. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments ensure they can cater to your busy schedule. 5011 France Ave. S.; 612.927.4748
Training
Augusta Dog Training
Even the most well-mannered pup sometimes needs a little, should we say…encouragement. Augusta Dog Training is here to help, and they’ll come to you. Offering in-home training, they strive to make your canine the perfect companion with the help of a little professional training, and thus, enhance your relationship with your pooch.
Run by owner Kathryn Newman (who has 25 years worth of intensive professional experience, garnering her regular spots on television shows and numerous dog competition wins), Augusta training is all about communication techniques and positive reinforcement. Training programs such as Good Manners and Complete Training offer the basics on polished pooch manners, while the Welcome Home Puppy package gets your pup off on the right paw with house training and foundational lessons. Should your dog need a bit more guidance, they also offer behavioral modification sessions to deal with issues such as separation anxiety and fearful behavior. To boot, Augusta offers doggie day care and day spa programs. 7019 Amundson Ave.; 952.914.0292
Dog Clean-up
Scoopy Poo
This isn’t as much about pampering your pooch, as it is about pampering you. Take it easy on yourself and let someone else clean up Fido’s mess in the backyard. Started in 2002 by local gal and then-bond trader Sonja Tengdin, Scoopy Poo offers year-round pickup once per week, with prices starting at $13.25 per week. So affordable, it’s well worth it to let someone else do the dirty work, so you don’t have to. 612.374.3000
DOG PARK
Van Valkenburg Park
Any good-life-living dog relishes in the opportunity to get out of the house, take in some fresh air, stretch his legs and meet a few new friends. At Edina’s only off-leash dog park, Van Valkenburg, your pup will be able to do just that thanks to the property’s wide-open spaces. Simply acquire a leash-free permit for your pooch ($25 for residents, $50 for non-residents), put the accompanying green collar on him (the fashionable color for any true Edina dog), and let him run free. Park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
ACCOMODATIONS
ADOGO Pet Hotel
Looking for luxury pet accommodations? Search no further than ADOGO, a “5-star hotel for dogs,” opened in February just west of Edina by lifelong dog lover and 23-year hotel exec John Sturgess. The 24,000-square-foot hotel boasts top of the line facilities, including 93 overnight rooms, four deluxe suites, one massive master suite (featuring human-sized bed, flat-screen television and Blu-ray player), and six playgrounds (both indoor and outdoor, separated by size and temperament of dog). While your pup is checked in, either for overnight or day care, they can take advantage of services such as training, grooming, pet photography and nature walks.
What’s more, all their staff is trained in doggie first aid, and you can check up on your pooch via one of their 4 webcams. No time to pick up your pup? They offer an ADOGO Au Go-Go shuttle service to and from your home. And, your precious pooch will even get an organic treat on their pillow each night. 6133 Baker Rd., Minnetonka; 952.933.5200
Pets Are Inn
Leaving town, but don’t want to leave your picky pet in the hands of a boarding kennel? Pets Are Inn has the alternative, placing your pet with a prescreened private homeowner, who’ll care for your pet as if it were their own. No cages, no dark lonely nights, just a family that’s ready to give your pet one-on-one attention. And what’s more, they offer round-trip pick-up and drop off service. Since your pet is accustomed to his own food and toys, feel free to send that along to make sure he feels perfectly at home while you’re away. 5100 Edina Industrial Blvd., Suite 206; 952.837.1877
Rovernight Network
Another no-board alternative, Rovernight Network is a community of local, reliable dog owners who will volunteer to watch your dog while you’re away. Simply sign up for a membership, search the database for a perfect home-away-from-home match, and return the favor for others as much as you use the service. All members must be approved before joining, ensuring that guest dogs will have the safest and most enjoyable of over night stays. You’ll be able to leave Scruffy behind with a smile, knowing that he’s in good hands.
This family-owned pet hotel, opened in 2003, knows that your pet is part of your family. The facilities are set up to ensure a comfortable, luxurious stay for your cat or dog, with a full kitchen to meet your pet’s dietary needs (cooked food or raw), fresh bedding and towels, soft music piped in all rooms, air filtration system, and dimmed lighting at night to ensure your pet’s best rest.
Dog areas include an indoor playground with ramps, jumps and tunnels, as well as suites of all sizes (such as the Bungalow Bay, which includes toddler-size bedding and a satellite television which is kept on the Animal Planet channel) and an outdoor play yard. Not to forget your pampered cat, the hotel offers a Kitty Kingdom that’s isolated well away from the dog area. These rooms offer two-level condos, which cats are let out of at least 3 to 5 hours a day to enjoy amenities such as a 7-foot cat tree and many windows with ledges on which they can catch some rays. 13013 Valley View Rd., Eden Prairie; 952.949.0077
