If you're looking for canary food or a wheel for your hamster cage, don't look here. If your cat needs a new litter box or your fish needs a new tank, you won't find it in this store. But, for almost anything your canine might need or enjoy, the Fluffy Puppies will exceed your expectations. This new Clearwater retailer has quickly become the place to shop for natural dog foods and doggy treats, decorative sweaters and collars, and other unique paraphernalia.
Store owner Chris Walker worked as a St. Petersburg Chiropractor for twenty years before a spinal chord injury forced her early retirement. Her first dog helped Chris learn to walk again after her spinal surgery. And it was her marriage to local attorney Bob Walker that initiated her move to Belleair. Chris began representing a T-shirt line by dog artist Harry Zimmerman, and attended a dog boutique show to get a better understanding of the market. She and her husband discussed the idea of opening an upscale dog store, and began looking for an optimal retail site. The property they most admired was owned by fellow dog lovers and a rental agreement was quickly signed. The rest is dog history.
Not only has the result been a successful entrepreneurial adventure, but also a successful charitable undertaking. The owners and staff of Fluffy Puppies recognize the need for responsible giving by businesses within the community. After being open for less than a year, the store held its first annual "Who Let the Dogs Art" art show in November which raised approximated $3,000 for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). This show exhibited dog art in mediums such as watercolors, stained glass and jewelry.
In February, Fluffy Puppies will begin holding "Yappy Hours" with wine and appetizers for humans and special treats for dogs. These special occasions will raise money and awareness for one of the many local dog rescue group's. There will be no cover charge for these events and contributions will be entirely voluntary.
Fashions from the Fluffy Puppies store will be shown in a pooch pageant entitled "Putting on the Dogs" on January 13 at the Sirata Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach. This fashion show, part of the Kibbles 'n Bits fundraiser for the SPCA will help raise money for the 16,000 to 18,000 homeless and abused pets in the SPCA's care each year.
Fluffy Puppies is located at 1447 S. Ft. Harrison just east of Belleview Boulevard. They are open from 10 a.m. - 6 pm. Monday through Saturday. They can be reached by calling (727) 446-7999 or contact them on their web site at www.aplacefordogs.com. Bella Pucci's is a dog grooming service located at the back of the store. Appointments can be made by calling them at (727) 449-8121.