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THE dog days typically describe the sultriest stretch of summer, when Sirius, the dog star, rises and sets with the sun. But in Connecticut these days, the term is taking on another meaning.
“Every day is a dog day around here,” said Penny Hoffman, president of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce. “Every time you turn around, there’s another dog-related something opening up.”
In Ridgefield, there’s the Well Heeled Pup, a new business that offers luxury gift baskets “for dogs and their humans,” and Bone Jour, a doggie day care scheduled to open this month.
In Milford, there’s the Natural Dog, a grooming shop, and the Perfectly Spoiled Pet Boutique, which has a “Yappy Hour” on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for small dogs (under 30 pounds) and their owners.
“The dogs run and play, while the owners have wine and cheese,” said the owner, Lisa Blanchard.
The Little Shop of Howlers in Hamden now offers blueberry facial scrubs for dogs, and Brady’s Place Doggy Daycare in South Windsor is scheduled to open a self-serve dog wash next month, where you can bathe your pup in an elevated tub, with aromatherapy shampoos and conditioners.
“You try this at home, and your whole bathroom is trashed when the dog shakes,” said the owner, Jessica Easter. “Here, it’s quick, easy, fun, and we take care of the mess, for around $15 a dog.”
There are also new dog cleanup businesses across the state, including Pet Butler in Fairfield, Doody Calls in Plainville, Poop Patrol in Greenwich and the Daily Scooper in Guilford.
Several restaurants around the state have also recently invited owners to bring their dogs with them to dine outside, from Hot Tomato’s in Hartford and the Place in Guilford, to Seamen’s Inne Restaurant and Pub in Mystic and Marty’s Cafe in Washington.
Barbara Gold, who owns Marty’s with G. Blane Withers, said her clients were so crazy about dogs that she was holding a “Best Dog in the World Contest” on July 1.
The contest has drawn over 100 applicants from around Connecticut, including a Washington woman who drives by the cafe every day in her convertible, campaigning for votes — she and her Pomeranian in matching hats and rhinestone sunglasses.
The winner will be announced at the Washington Primary School pavilion at 2 p.m. It costs $5 to enter and $1 to cast a vote. Proceeds benefit the pet therapy program for cancer patients at New Milford Hospital.
“Everyone in Connecticut has a dog, and everyone is madly in love with their dog,” said the author Candace Bushnell, of “Sex and the City” fame, who lives in Roxbury and will be a judge for the contest.
At the upscale boutique J. Seitz & Company, in New Preston, a flyer urges “Vote for Number 36!” with a picture of a Chihuahua dressed in a fly fisherman’s outfit.
J. Seitz has also begun selling such over-the-top products as Zen meditation chew toys for dogs and, for their obsessed owners, pink plaid puppy purses, quirky dog key chains and books about dog names.
“People see their dogs like their children, their grandchildren,” said the store’s owner, Joanna Seitz. “The fun is in the fact that you can spoil your dogs royally without ruining them.”
In New Milford, Debbie Bauman left her job in commercial development last fall to open the Barkery Boo’tique, a glittering shop full of gourmet treats, toys and velvet doggie beds, as well as apparel to match any dog’s personality, from Terminator to Tinker Bell.
“The dogs come in and pick out their own stuff,” Ms. Bauman said. “We’ve got a Jack Russell who comes in once a week and jumps straight up in the air, as high as the counter, to see what’s new. He doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.”
Doggie birthday cakes and party favors are also big sellers. “We have a whole variety of peanut butter birthday cakes for dogs,” Ms. Bauman said.
Carolyn Klemm of Washington was planning a dog party for her Standard poodle, Elmer, who turned 2 on June 21. “Elmer is huge and delicious and the love of our lives,” Ms. Klemm said. “We’re having all of his best friends over for ice cream cake. Everyone gets their own seat at the table, party hats, and doggie-treat party favors.”
At Hot Tomato’s, dogs have become the main attraction at the outdoor patio, said the assistant manager, Dale Kirshnitz. “Everyone brings their dog and checks out each others’ dogs,” she said. “It’s quite the scene.”
At the Place in Guilford, a co-owner, Gary Knowles, said the dogs range from Great Danes to Chihuahuas “that sit in bread baskets on the table.”
“We give the dogs their own water bowls, and we special order whatever they want,” he said. “Most of them go crazy for the roasted chicken and the hot-buttered corn.”
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