Green Dog sits top of the heap
For the second consecutive year, Mike and Christine Mallar’s Green Dog Pet Supply won 1st Place in the Holistic Merchant category. They also won 1st Place for Neighborhood Pet Supply, 2nd for Food Consultant, a category new this year, and 3rd for Food. They also ranked top 10 for Specialty Boutique, Apparel, and Gear — altogether a fantastic showing.
In business since 2004, Green Dog opened with a commitment to provide holistic nutrition and information to customers. “We started with that as our mission,” says Christine. “We’ve always been nutrition geeks ourselves, and have hired people with the expectation that they are going to need to do a lot of homework. If people want more information about kidney disease, we’ll put together a compilation from several reliable sources and email it to them. We’ve always tried really hard to get tools and knowledge into people’s hands.”
That kind of commitment comes through loud and clear when talking with loyal Green Dog customers. “I think Christine and Mike are two of the most approachable, knowledgeable pet people in town,” says customer Reed Coleman, who regularly shops at Green Dog for her family’s three dogs, Grace, Otis and Royce. Coleman says staff are patient when helping with dietary concerns, offering advice, and even consulting with her veterinarian. “You don’t feel dumb, intimidated or pressured,” says Coleman. “They have great ideas, alternatives and options. They see it like a puzzle that they want to figure out.”
Connie Christensen agrees. A newer customer, Christensen discovered Green Dog when seeking a particular brand of holistic food for one of her dogs. She was impressed with the staff’s knowledge. “No matter who you talk to, they understand their products and what they’re all about,” she says.
“I have such rock star employees,” says Christine Mallar. “It’s not uncommon for them to come in on days off to tell me about an article they just read — it’s fantastic. We’re all interested and want to share what we learn with each other.”
Aside from a deep knowledge of animal nutrition, Green Dog offers the kind of understanding and support you expect from a dear friend when faced with some of the more serious issues involved in pet parenthood. Ron Haber had been a regular customer, purchasing food for his two aging kitties, Angus and Willie, who required extra dietary support as they aged. “I had a lot of questions and they were really helpful. They are serious about keeping up on food choices. As individuals it’s hard to know everything, so they really do a lot of that research for you. Sometimes I would ask a question and they would say, ‘Let me find out,’ and research it and get back to me with an answer. That’s so rare.” Haber sadly lost Angus and Willie recently, but he will always appreciate Green Dog’s help and compassion during difficult times. “If I ever get other animals, which I’m sure I will, I’ll be going there.”
For her part, Christine Mallar feels the relationship between staff and customers is a two-way street. “We are lucky; we have great customers. They are so into being a part of it and we try to foster that.”
Green Dog Pet Supply
4327 NE Fremont St, Portland.
503-528-1800 * GreenDogPetSupply.com