HIGH END DOG
Location:
Hours of Business:
Phone:
Web Address:
#3-532 l/2 Fisgard Street (in Dragon Alley)
Tues.-Sat: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm; Sun: 11 - 4:30 pm
888-3261
n/a
Chosen for:
Doggy gourmet meals & boutique
Giggles galore
A hidden treasure
On a glorious sunny spring day, a completely female Grapevine group gathered under Chinatown's Gates of Harmonious Interest. Founders led them through the iron gate into the funky live/work complex of Dragon Alley. Turning right at a stone bulldog with chrome water dish, we entered the open door of High End Dog. Co-owner Clayton Ealey emerged from behind the counter to gasp, "My gosh, what's this?" Senior Dog Ambassador "Teddy", a black Lab/collie cross, padded out to greet us with wagging tail as we offered our balloon bouquet and pronounced High End Dog as Best-of-the-Bunch for the month of March. "What a great surprise!" Clayton said (at least three times), practically bouncing with excitement.
Co-owner Clayton Ealey outside his shop.
Photos by Adaline O'Gorman & Barbara McDonell.
Because Sarala's computer bit the dust and a subsequent unsuccessful email-list transfer occurred, many Grapevine members did not receive this month's invitation. In addition, founding members Sandra and Debbie were both out of town so the intimate gathering of eight was our smallest ever. No matter - what we lacked in numbers we made up for in enthusiasm!
The store name refers as much to the way you feel about your dog as anything. In your eyes he's royalty, right? Even if you don't have a dog you love to spoil, you probably have a friend or relative who does. Customers and their canine companions are welcome to browse in the tiny shop where Clayton and his wife and co-owner Gayle live upstairs. (We were unfortunately unable to meet Gayle who was sleeping after a night shift at Seven Oaks Centre).
Before they moved to the west coast, Gayle and Clayton worked in Saskatchewan's health care field for 23 years and were burned out and ready for a change. Having both grown up with dogs and never been blessed with children, their four-footed best friends became their "children". Sadly, senior dog Sam passed away just a few months ago.
On the Prairies, Sam and Teddy's favourite thing had always been when Mom and Dad came home with new toys and treats. Clayton and Gayle delighted in watching their dogs jump around, rip open bags to gobble up the treats and run around the house with new toys. After a while, however, the supply of unique new toys dried up. "Eureka," they thought, "let's open a dog boutique for people just like us!"
The perfect jean jacket for a dog with attitude.
So Clayton and Gayle resigned from their secure but joyless jobs and moved to Victoria, opening High End Dog during the Chinese Year of the Dog on November 1, 2006.
Whether your pet is a feminine Yorkie or a macho Mastiff, it will be a trendsetter wearing quality apparel and accessories made with comfort and cutting-edge style from top designers and priced from $10-$60. Grapeviners giggled their way through diva dog items like seventy-five cent hair barrettes, rhinestone collars and frilly pink frou-frou necklets. Got a dog with attitude? How about a bib declaring "I'm so bad I've gotta be cute!"
Toys and more...
On the more practical side, there's poop-scoop bags and tug-of-war ropes. Try your water dog with a floating yellow "stick". Merchandise includes a grand array of leather leashes and collars, starting at $10, food dishes, toys for chewing and toys that squeak ($2-$15). How about a hard-to-resist "cuddly buddy" that's organic and oh-so-soft? Whatever you choose will provide a healthy alternative for safe fun play.
Tired of having to hide an unsightly dog bed when company arrives? High End Dog bed products are ultra-plush and will enhance your decor!
Vets often refer doggy cataract patients to High End Dog to buy "Doggles", which are cool-looking dog goggles. An in-store photo board shows two dogs sporting the stylish sunglasses: a handsome grey Standard Poodle (who happens to be blind) and a pooch who loves to walk in the woods so needs to protect his eyes from sharp branches. If your pet loves to stick his head out the car window with a big smile on his face, Doggles will protect his eyes from wind and debris.
Cookies! Wheat-free and without salt or additives.
And then there's the healthy gourmet goodies prepared upstairs in the Ealey kitchen. Priced from fifty cents to $1.50 each, choices include muffins, cupcakes, cookies and meat treats, all made without salt or additives. The meats are dehydrated on the premises. Ingredients include liver, beef, or salmon, sweet potato, rye, barley and rice flours, as well as flaxseed powder for Omega 3. All biscuit treats are wheat-free. "If your dog doesn't like something, come back to tell me and I'll find a goody he'll love," promised Clayton.
Clayton laughingly admits that four-footed guests sometimes "shop-lift" healthy treats from the display trays! As he packaged complimentary canine cupcakes with cheese icing into tiny Chinese take-out boxes for each Grapeviner, he told us that "Dog birthday cakes are very popular right now." Who knew?
Tired of hiding an unsightly dog bed when
company comes? High End Dog bed products
are ultra-plush and will enhance your decor!
Non-edible products start at $1 so fit any budget. Make Paris Hilton envious with a gorgeous soft leather pet carrier that looks like a high-fashion purse. At $400, almost half the on-line price, you'll be supplying nothing less than the best for your special friend!
What a perfect place to shop for unusual gift items for your own pet or those of others. Or perhaps you'd rather give a gift certificate to allow people to select their own merchandise. Check the website for photos of many of the above-mentioned products.
It's springtime in Victoria so grab that leash, shout "Walkies!" and treat Fifi or Rover to a visit to High End Dog.