The Barkery, Etc... where you will love to pamper your pet!

The Sweet Connection editors had a chance to sit down with owner Celeste Biegen to get the scoop on the Barkery, Etc. — also known as the "Neiman Marcus" for pets. Here's what she had to say.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in the pet boutique business.
I'm a transplanted 'native' of Arizona living in Phoenix since 1978. My husband and I and our pets live in North Scottsdale within a few miles of the store. My daughter, Terra McShane is my partner in the business. She is off being a mom with her newborn baby girl and runs the website's online shopping.

We got started in the business because Terra and I really wanted to bring healthy foods to the pets in the valley. So, we decided to open the store with the best holistic pet food we could find. It took us a year and a half, before the store even opened, to investigate and select our foods and treats so we feel we have accomplished our goal in offering the best foods available.

What is your boutique known for?
The store is known as the "Nieman Marcus" for pets as one of our customers once tagged us. We strive to offer haute couture for pets with our line of Juicy Couture, EMRE NY, Les Pooch of Paris, bb simon collars, Donald Pliner for Friends of Baby Doll Plinerand much more.

What is your favorite item?
I have two. We design the collar from bb simon so those are favorites because they came from us; and,the Les Pooch perfume and shampoo as they are the best in the world!

What items do dogs seem to like the best?
They love the bully sticks which are 'chewys' and they love the bone pops which are yogurt based bone shaped lollypop treats. Another popular treat is the Bellyrubs 100% freeze dried chicken liver which is a great training treat and great for smaller dogs.

What fashion look is "in" for pets?
Sundresses for little girls and tank t's or polo shirts for the boys. The Sundresses we have are a signature collection by a designer in California who offers these wonderful little dresses with crinkle crinoline underneath, beautifully colored fabric and a matching separate cloth peter pan collar. The same designer has created very catchy tank shirts and T's with logos that are like designer logos but with the doggie in mind - like Poochtee and Gabanna.

You mentioned that you have pets. Tell us about them.
D'Artagnon is my black standard Poodle, Aramis is my red standard Poodle, PJ (Pothos Jr) is my Maltipoo, Athos is my Cockapoo (notice a trend here? The three musketeers and D'Artganon) and MoMo (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) is my Shih Tzu. All are male and all get along wonderfully with each other and other dogs. All of them have been in the shop at one time or another as the store 'greeter.'

Do dogs really look like their owners?
Yes. I think people continue to follow the old saying that 'like finds like'. So, where we will find our mate for life from people who are most like us, we also choose our pets that way. And, of course, the way we act with our pets is much like we act with our children and their behavior usually reflects back on us.

What's a great gift to give a dog lover?
A donation to your favorite dog charity or shelter. I love it when people do that for me!

Tell us about some of your more memorable canine customers?
We've had Rick Schroeder and his children in the store before; we've had Tom Seleck's niece in and lots of Suns players and hockey players.

What else should we know about your store?
Our store is very unique in style and in content. We can sell you a $1000 collar or a $8 rubber chicken. Dream it and it is yours at The Barkery, Etc where you will love to pamper your pet!

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