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Two decades ago, washing a dog was either a back-breaking battle in the bathtub, or a wet and wild experience with the hose. In other words, bathing your dog, especially the big, hairy ones, was messy business.
Then came self-service dog washes. Michael Shapiro, owner of Beauty for the Beast Pet Launderette, came across such a then-new establishment while traveling and was delighted with the idea. “At the time, I had a very furry Samoyed who needed a lot of bathing,” he recalls.
Celebrating four years in December, you could say Stay Pet Hotel is still a “puppy,” but winning #1 Top Dog in Boarding for the second consecutive year shows Stay is clearly leading the pack.
“We never thought we’d be where we are today but we are proud of what we’ve accomplished,” says owner, Kim Hormby. “We are so thrilled to win again!”
One might think winning the Top Dog Award for Veterinarian two years in a row might go to Top Doc Kristin Sulis’s head. Not so. In describing her reaction, Sulis is quick to mention the big picture. “The best part of being recognized is realizing that other people are getting what you are trying to do,” she says.
In the tough competition this year, it was a pleasure to see new faces shine through the crowd. Parkway Veterinary Hospital is a clear favorite in the Northwest pet community — voted Top Dog in multiple categories.
Winning last year’s Top Dog top prize as well, it’s been a successful year for the folks at Oregon Humane Society, who have boosted adoption rates and continued raising pet-adoption awareness around the world.
PetUtopia rocks the Northwest as Spot’s 1st Place Top Dog Award winner in both the Boutique and Neighborhood Pet Supply categories. They also were voted #2 in Apparel, and won notable mention for Pet Event and Holistic Merchant. Spot chatted with owner/operator Margie Vincent-Roberts about her great showing, and what else is shaking at PetUtopia, which is starting the new year with a great new look thanks to a recent facelift.