Reigning Cats & Dogs

It used to be when one said “It’s a dog’s life,” it meant having to endure hard and miserable times. The dogs of those days were kept in kennels and ate scraps. They were “dog tired,” they “died like dogs.” It was definitely a “dog-eat-dog” world.

Now, if you feel like your life is “going to the dogs,” it means you have it pretty good. Dogs, as well as cats, can enjoy refreshing spa products, plush beds, flower essences, lovely lavender goods, aromatherapy, gourmet food, amazing bling, and designer clothes. There are high-end pet stores everywhere that have lovely dog clothing, including the little black dress. And if you’re looking for something a little more casual, perhaps some denim jeans or pink camo cargo pants. In New York, there is a Pet Fashion Week that actually features furry models on the runway in the latest styles.

According to MSNBC, we spend more than $41 billion each year on pet products. Chances are, you are either a pet lover or know someone who loves their animals like their children – or even their children’s animals like their grandkids.

“A lot of pet people are people who don’t have children or their children are gone (grown up),” said Monica J. Chernin, owner of Reigning Cats and Dogs in Culpeper. “They have the time and the available funds. Pets are an extension of the family. They want their pets to be fresh and well-groomed.”

Pet owners enjoy browsing stores for items such as special shampoos and conditioners, organic catnip, and baked dog treats. Often the conversation and atmosphere is as much fun for the customers as the employees. “Pet people are neat people,” said Chernin, who enjoys giving out treats and helping four-legged customers try on clothes. “There’s a very light side to it.”

Chernin, who is a self-proclaimed workaholic, loves to retreat to the world of pets to balance out the challenges of her “day job.” She enjoys helping families out in her Culpeper law practice during the week and then retreating to her store to order the latest, coolest stuff for local furry friends. “The store is therapy for me,” she said. “This is a fun day off.”

While places like Petsmart support the increasing popularity of dog and cat products, smaller stores cater to the uniqueness of the pet and its owner.

“It’s not a matter of price, but of finding the items,” Chernin said. Her store deals only with independent companies which gives her the opportunity to sell items like hand-crocheted collars and leashes from a New York line. These are exclusive things that you won’t see most other pooches wearing.

While pets are wearing the latest styles, they also need to be protected from the elements with items such sunscreen and doggy sunglasses. And there are products like the Bach Flower Essences that help pset deal with issues of life varying from being afraid of lightning to being jealous of other animals.

There are also the cool items for owners like blankets, coffee mugs, stationary, scarves and socks that feature Laurel Burch designs, mouse pads, earrings, hand-tinted antique engravings, and, yes, even boxer shorts with your favorite breed on them. Owners can also capture bragging rights with bumper stickers reading “My fill in the blank dog is smarter than your honor student.”

There are products for 30 popular breeds with which Chernin originally opened her boutique. But throughout the experience, she has discovered that there are so many more breeds and mixes of breeds that range outside the norm. “We have added products for some unusual breeds like the Chinese Crested and Havanese,” she said. “We now have about 100 different breeds – a little for each, both dog and cat.”

There are specialty pet stores everywhere you look. But, there are just a handful of these boutiques. For more information on Reigning Cats and Dogs, visit www.reigning-cats-dogs.com.

– L.A. Eaton
Prime Staff