When lockdown forced businesses to close, K8’s Short Bark ‘N’ Sides dog grooming salon in Whitchurch had to get creative to retain an income.
Only the year before, owner Kate Ellam-Arnold and her wife Michaela had adopted a fourth rescue pug whose sensitive stomach gave them an idea - a doggy deli selling natural dog treats.
They rescued the French Bulldog, Louis, at 10-months-old from Cardiff Dogs Home.
He had been found abandoned on the streets of Cardiff, starving and had to have his coat surgically removed.
Read more: Dog's fur so matted Welsh rescue team couldn't recognise his breed
During his time on the streets, he had consumed something which gave him gastroenteritis and still affects his gut, meaning he can only eat natural dog food.
Kate, 36, explained: “There is nowhere to buy natural treats in Cardiff or they’re only sold in bulk so we had a brain wave to do a pick n’ mix with natural dog treats.
“We were allowed to open during lockdown because that was classed as food.”
Now, K8’s Short Bark ‘N’ Sides sells pigs ears, rabbit feet and sausages among other treats available from their counter to take home in old fashioned sandwich bags.
All the treats are natural, air dried and low in fat meaning they are not only tasty but have health benefits like being good for joints and teeth.
It is quite fitting that this third aspect of Kate and Michaela’s business was inspired by one of their dogs as the grooming, which was their first venture, was inspired by their first pug who recently passed away.
The pug, Bailey, used to sit by the salon doors and welcome visitors but sadly crossed the rainbow bridge not so long ago.
Now, dogs Louis, Albie and Bungle are holding down the fort and welcoming everyone to the shop.
Customers can visit for one aspect and end up using all three aspects as Kate does the grooming, Michaela the walking and both cover the shop.
Kate said: “We had a lady come in this morning and it was for a meet and greet for dog walking.
“She didn’t realise that her Dachshund would need her nails clipped so we explained to her about dog grooming and then she saw we had sausages so it was a triple whammy.
“Dogs that didn’t like grooming, love grooming now because we dangle a sausage in front of them.”
The shop, which can be found at Unit 1 Hollybush Estate in Whitchurch, Cardiff gets tails wagging before dogs even enter, Kate says.
“It’s so funny, the dogs want to come in straight away because they smell the sausages. They come in to the counter and jump up at them,”
The shop also sells Kongs toys, lick mats, grooming products and more after Kate and Michaela were inspired by entertaining their own dogs in lockdown.
They also sell boxes, including a puppy power, birthday, junior munch and ultimate munch box.
For the past five years, K8’s Short Bark ‘N’ Sides Pet Services has been voted the best dog groomer in Cardiff, not only for the services it provides but also for its work with charity.
Kate and Michaela regularly hold raffles to support rescue centres like Hope Rescue and donate dog treats to rescue dogs.
Over lockdown, they also did a boredom buster box which they delivered around Cardiff for free.
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