I have been meaning for some time to sing the praises of the independent pet supply store. There is a time and a place for big box stores, dont get me wrong. And Im aware that some of the more responsible chains invest a fair amount in their employees education and professional development. But nothing beats a well-stocked shop run by someone with a passion for dogs.
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Im lucky: In Northern California, there is a wealth of amazing stores owned and managed by highly educated people. They carry super-premium foods, and can tell you accurately why the foods are better. The lower-cost foods they do carry are the best products available at that price point; they dont carry the lowest-cost, worst-quality foods. They wouldnt dream of it.
The independent store owners I know travel to one or more of the gargantuan pet industry trade shows each year, looking for new and better toys, beds, treats, supplements, training gear, and more. They invest time and money in their education, and that of their employees, so they can make responsible, educated recommendations to dog owners who come into their stores.
Sometimes I go into big-box pet supply stores to look for and buy items that we do not recommend, so I can photograph and caption them: DO NOT BUY. It doesnt happen often, but Im always impressed when an employee at one of these stores looks around furtively and asks, Um, what are you going to do with these? If they do, Im honest and tell them that Im buying them as examples of what dog owners should not buy. Oh good! one such employee told me recently. I was worried for a minute. I would never give a dog those things! Usually, though, the employees dont say anything, or dont know to say something.
The thing is, a good independent store would never carry an item that they felt was not healthy for dogs in the first place. A few months ago, I called one of my favorite indies looking for one of the devices that allows you to lead your dog on a bicycle. The clerk at the store told me that she was sorry, they didnt carry it, but could special order it for me if I wanted . . . but added that she, personally, felt they were unsafe. How was I planning on using it? Was I taking precautions to keep the dog safe? Her interest in my dogs well-being was impressive.
The same week, I traveled to another indie, about 40 miles away, where I had seen that product for sale a month before. When I got there, though, there wasnt one on the shelf. Disappointed, I asked the clerk about it; she called the owner out to the front to ask about it. While waiting, I tried on a baseball hat with the word, Grrr written on it. I was feeling like growling. Im sorry, we sent it back, the owner told me. We havent sold one for a year!
Shoot! I said. I saw one here last month, and made a special trip here to buy it. And I really needed it today. Where did you drive from? he asked. When I told him, he said, Im so sorry! You know what? Take that hat. And call before you come next time and we can tell you if we have whatever it is you need. We want you to come back!
That would never happen in a big box. And thanks for the hat, Bow Wow Meow, of San Carlos, California.
