If there were ever a rumble over what New Hampshire city loved its pets the most, we’re pretty sure that Concord would come out on top. We have no data to back that up, but we love the way our readers eagerly send pictures of their furry, scaly and feathered companions to The Insider and the way you bring Fido with you to the Concord Farmers’ Market.
Because your treatment of your four-legged friends makes our hearts melt, we did a little investigating and compiled a list of unique services and products for your pets . . . Concord-style. Read on and when your pooch wants to give someone a big, slobbery thank-you lick, you can take it in our place. Really, we don’t mind.
From reiki to painted nails and everything in between: In addition to a regular grooming menu, Bark Now!, 237 S. Main St., goes above and beyond to make your doggies and kitties feel good. This “spaw” and boutique offers reiki (a form of energy therapy). Starting at $10, the folks at Bark Now! make sure your pet gets the most out of this experience by scheduling the appointments during off hours, taking the phone off the hook and place all their focus into this practice in a serene setting. Reiki is believed to relieve pain and help with stress, anxiety, depression, sickness and injury, and can boost the immune system.
Is Rex getting bored with his look? Bark Now! can add a color burst to his fur starting at $20. Owner Kris Tripp says that the ears and tails are good spots to give your pup some extra punch. Trendy colors include pink, blue and green. Or you can go a more subtle route with one of the salon’s more popular services, nail painting ($7-$10). Kris says they even carry fun nail decals, too.
Just like humans, dogs enjoy the occasional facial. Soothing, tear-free plum and blueberry facials start at $7. Yes, they taste good enough to lick.
Be sure to check out the special cat grooming section on their website, too. Many packages include a finishing touch of a bow and cologne to keep your kitty feeling suave.
For more information about Bark Now! call 229-3700 or visit barknow.com.
For the politically-active pooch: When President Obama is on TV, does your dog wag its tail with excitement or do you hear a low, throaty growl? Either way, the museum store at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 6 Eagle Square, has got you covered.
Made exclusively for the society, Northern Belles’s needlepoint dog collars feature “Live Free or Die” and an outline of the state. Additionally, you can add a Democratic donkey or a Republican elephant. If your pooch is more moderate, then the Old Man of the Mountain and moose design is a safe bet. The collars can be purchased in store or online. They are regularly $50 but are on sale for $25.
For more information, visit nhhistory.org or call 856-0625.
Make your pet the next Mona Lisa: Thanks to Concord’s Gloria Najecki, a painting of your pet may soon grace the same walls as a Leonardo da Vinci piece. We’re sure you’re wondering how Gloria gets her subjects to stay still for an extended period. Since Gloria knows that pets often have “better” things to do (i.e. play, chew on things, take a nap) she works from photographs snapped by either you or herself. She still likes to meet your furry loved one and hear stories from you, so she can truly capture your pet’s personality.
Paintings start at $800 for a 9×12 or equivalent size. Visit glorianajecki.com for more information and to see more of her work.
A healthy pet is a happy pet: From the outside Sandy’s Pet Nutrition Center, 108 Airport Road, looks like a quaint pet food shop. Once inside, though, you can spend hours browsing for treats and toys for your best bud. One reason why many Concord pet owners flock to Sandy’s is for the awesome selection of vitamins, supplements and natural foods. Whether your kitty is having bladder issues or needs more milk thistle, Sandy’s has got the goods.
A few items we wanted to bring home included frozen yogurt dog treats ($4.99 to $6.99), doggie backpacks (so your pooch can help carry a few light items on your next daytrip, starting at $33.99) and natural breath freshener ($7.99).
For more information about Sandy’s, visit sandyspetfood.com or call 225-1177.
Dog treats so popular, they often sell out: Caring Gifts, 18 N. Main St., carries an assortment of gourmet dog cookies made by Taxi’s Dog Bakery starting at $1.50. The cookies come in fun shapes like sushi and bagels and look good enough for humans to eat. When we went to check the delectable treats out, they were sold out, but we were assured that they would be back soon. Until then, browse Caring Gifts for other pet products like catnip and books about Fido and Fluffy.
For more information, visit caringgifts.com or call 800-585-8382.
Stylish neckwear: United Shoe Repair, 18 S. Main St., does more than fix your footwear, it also sells leather dog collars. Add a little something extra and get your mutt’s name stamped on. Starting at $20.
For more information, call 228-8254.
