For the Love of DogsBy Renee Burrell
Fluffy Puppies, dedicated to dogs, cats, and the people who spoil them Fluffy Puppies, a place for dogs, has been spoiling canines and the people who love them now for five years. The store has it all, from upscale pet fashions and innovative and breed specific gifts, to the healthiest dog foods and treats available. Owners of fashionable dogs love the outfits and stylish pet accessories and swag that Fluffy Puppies carries. "We have a lot of bling and do special orders if we don't have something someone is searching for," said Fluffy Puppies storeowner, Kris Logan-Walker. Collars, leashes, harnesses, unique toys, carriers, gourmet treats, dining supplies, beds, grooming products, and much more are tucked away in the store at the corner of Belleview and Ft Harrison. To keep the dogs happy, healthy and looking really good, Fluffy Puppies provides the best pet foods available, and only from manufacturers who regard quality as their primary focus, such as: Natura, Merrick, Breeders Choice, and Dogswell Products. The store has a frequent buyer program where customers buy 12 bags and then receive one free. "The nice thing about feeding your dogs the quality brands is that healthy preparations with no fillers cause the dogs to eat less and so it ends up being less expensive for you and better for your dog," said Logan-Walker. The treats at Fluffy Puppies are healthy too; Logan-Walker bakes them fresh on site! She cranks out decorated seasonal treats, (shamrocks at present for St Patrick's Day), and even birthday cakes from her full bakery in the back of the store. Grooming is also available at Fluffy Puppies, and cats are also served. "We're not just for dogs," reminds Logan-Walker. "We groom cats, have great cat food, and all the supplies they need, too." What sets Fluffy Puppies apart from the huge pet chain stores isn't just their wonderful inventory, it's the friendly and polite service customers receive. "I have a great staff. They're very knowledgeable," said Logan-Walker. "For us, being the neighborhood's pet place these past five years and getting to know the customers and watching their children and pets grow has been the best part of going into this business." Fluffy Puppies customers need to congratulate themselves on the stores anniversary as well because from purchasing their pet supplies there, they have been supporting not just the boutique, but also the surrounding community. Research has shown that for every $100 spent at a local independent business, $68 of those dollars stay within the community. Noted Walker, "If $100 is spent at a national chain, only $43 stays in the community and if spent over the Internet, zero dollars stay within the community." Fluffy Puppies is known for their fun get-togethers to benefit local charities. Last year's Bark-o-Ween fundraising event, drew around 300 costumed dogs, and raised over $1000 for Stop Pet Overpopulation Together and Dunedin Dog Rescue. Upcoming events to look forward to include a Dock Diving event that's in the planning stage for this spring. Pet Portraits by photographer Laura Allen is scheduled for May. Plan for Pet Caricatures by artist Brian Nutt in June, and the popular "Who Let the Dogs Art?" art show is being tentatively planned for this fall. Fluffy Puppies store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Grooming hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.aplacefordogs.com, or phone (727) 446-7999.
 Fluffy Puppies is celebrating its 5th year in business. The boutique specializes in unique clothing and accessories for dogs, and is the area's favorite source for quality pet food and nutritious treats. This party animal is Cowboy, the store's official greeter.
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