Many dog lovers in Vancouver will pay just about anything to make their pet happy and that's creating a big business for dogs in this city. CTV Consumer Reporter Lynda Steele takes a look at a store that sells designer clothes for your four legged friends and a bakery that caters to canines.
The Yaletown designer dog store Barking Babies has everything for the well-dressed canine, from tiny tuxedos to crystal collars. And the owner's dog, Mr. Pickles, doesn't mind showing off the doggie duds, dressing up in formal wear and rock star chic clothes. You may be wondering who buys these pricey doggie duds.
"Empty nesters for example, so kids have left home so they get a dog, and really that dog becomes like their baby or even young couples who don't have children yet," said Nancy Jelenic, owner of Barking Babies.
If you'd rather pamper your pooch in a more understated way, you could check out Three Dog Bakery, where you can buy treats like pupcakes, pug in a blanket and a bone shaped birthday cake.
"The cake base is whole wheat flour, unsweetened applesauce and the icing is a low fat yogurt buttermilk mixture," said Corby Lee, owner of Three Dog Bakery.
The bakery in Kitsilano gets up to 30 birthday cake orders a month. The dog bakery idea was born after Lee got tired of feeding his own dog pet food loaded with fillers and meat byproducts.
"The dogs, just as humans, need to eat good quality ingredients to stay fit and healthy," he said.
If a bakery that caters to dogs seems over the top to you, Lee says his four legged clients deserve it.
"Dogs are more than just family members. I believe they are the binding agent that keeps the family working together," he said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lynda Steele
