One of the best things about supporting local businesses is knowing you are helping to grow your own community! Following are several local small businesses that I have come to know and trust and whose services or products I confidently recommend. (Last updated 9/8/24)
North Charleston, SC
Training
Wonder Dog University (serving the entire Lowcountry area - positive reinforcement) * This is our Gracie's trainer and we give her 5 STARS!!
Dog Swim Facility
Wag 'N Splash! One of Roux's favorite pasttimes! and they have a private play area you can use too! Wag-n-Dash Play Yard - also a favorite!
Boarding/Pet Sitting/Dog Walking - Harmony Pets Park Circle - recently relocated from Summervile and now devoted to caring for Park Circle's finest pets!
Grooming - Maddie's Dog House conveniently located in the Mixson area of N. Charleston - personal touch care, by appointment only so give their page a follow.
Goose Creek, SC
Dog Exercise via Run Dog SC! I am so excited for this new local business offering MOBILE pet exercise services - not dog walking, but treadmill walking/running - it's amazing. Check it out!
Dog Walking Services
Patti A. Wendt (PAW) HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!
Daycare and Boarding - The Bark Park
Healthy Treats
Wise Pets - Healthy pet treats - ZERO PRESERVATIVES! Limited ingredients, all natural! Online ordering/shipping available! Check them out on Facebook or Instagram - @wisepetsgt
Pet Furniture - Custom (based in Goose Creek)
Soulful Woodwork - custom-made, high quality, handcrafted furnishings for your home and your pets!
Pet Supplies - Pet Supplies Plus - Goose Creek location - great products, locally-owned and so friendly to our shelters and rescues!
Property Management - Emmantee Real Estate Solutions - including pet-friendly rentals in the Lowcountry!
Mount Pleasant, SC
Luxury Boarding and Daycare (other end of Hwy 17 very close to Ravenel Bridge)
K9 Resorts
Grooming and Boarding Ziggy’s Dog Parlor (includes luxury boarding)
Cat Grooming (very supportive of our local rescues too!)
The Charleston Cat Groomer
Veterinarian Tidewater Veterinary - practicing Fear-Free techniques
Retail – Pet Products
Hairy Winston Boutique
Woof Gang Bakery
Retail (and Wholesale) Dog Accessories
Dog Bowties
Retail Dog Accessories - Handcrafted Collars (via Etsy)
Affluent Dogs
Veterinary - Emergency & Specialty
Veterinary Specialty Care (now Blue Pearl)
Canine Physical Therapy PAWmetto Paws Canine Therapy LLC
Property Management - Emmantee Real Estate Solutions - including pet-friendly rentals in the Lowcountry!
Charleston, SC and surrounding areas
Dog Exercise via Run Dog SC! I am so excited for this new local business offering MOBILE pet exercise services - not dog walking, but treadmill walking/running - it's amazing. Check it out!
Tax/Bookkeeping Firm - McCormick Tax & Bookkeeping LLC - it's one of life's inevitabilities, right? Taxes! Contact McCormick's in Moncks Corner for your tax and other business bookkeeping needs.
Mobile Pet Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Chi on Wheels - If you are a fan of holistic options, look no further! Chi On Wheels comes to you to offer therapies in your home where your pets are calm and comfortable.
Canine Therapeutic Massage/Reiki
A Knead for Paws
Veterinarian (Folly Beach) Oceanside Veterinary Clinic
Veterinarian (Cainhoy area, near Daniel Island/Clements Ferry) Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital (Roux and Gracie's new vet!)
Veterinarian (West Ashley and surrounding) West Ashley Veterinary Clinic
Veterinarian (Specialist - Opthamologist) - Charleston Animal Eye Specialists, no referral needed!
Grooming - Barks n' Bubbles - conveniently located at 846 Dupont Road, Suite A, Charleston SC - Click to email directly.
Canine Physical Therapy PAWmetto Paws Canine Therapy LLC
Healthy, Small Batch Food
Pet Wants Lowcountry - Although we have migrated to home cooking, Roux and Gracie LOVED this food -- and the business supports rescues through fostering AND food donations!
Healthy Dog Treats
Lowcountry Dog Treats- Fresh, homemade, small batch, limited ingredient treats! Roux and Gracie love these snackos and snuffle balls!
Mobowl - SIlicone Foldup Travel Bowls (lightweight, easy cleanup, and a carrying pouch!)
Lowcountry Pet Specialties
Pet Furniture - Custom
Soulful Woodwork - custom-made, high quality, handcrafted furnishings for your home and your pets!
Pet Cremation Services (offering private cremation)
Legacy Pets of Charleston
Pet Hospice
Lowcountry Pet Hospice
Resources
Lowcountry Dog Magazine
Carolina Tails Magazine
Affluent Dogs (Blog)
Luxury Pet-friendly Apartments
Meeting Street Lofts
The Guild CHS
Property Management - Emmantee Real Estate Solutions - including pet-friendly rentals in the Lowcountry!
Johns Island and surrounding
Pet Sitting and Care Services Pet Care Extraordinaire by Erin - serving West Ashley, Johns Island, Ravenel and Hollywood areas primarily.
Summerville, SC
Daycare and Boarding - Dogtopia of Summerville - go check out this new and beautiful doggie daycare at 17A and Myers!
Dog Exercise via Run Dog SC! I am so excited for this new local business offering MOBILE pet exercise services - not dog walking, but treadmill walking/running - it's amazing. Check it out!
Training
Canine Revolution Dog Training (based in Summerville, serving the Lowcountry area - board and train program, e-collar option) ** I've seen them work a miracle with a rescue dog - they literally saved his life and returned him to his original family.
Veterinary - Emergency & Specialty
Veterinary Specialty Care (now Blue Pearl)
Property Management - Emmantee Real Estate Solutions - including pet-friendly rentals in the Lowcountry.
Greenville/Upstate SC
Pet Food - The Brindled Dog - REAL and fresh food created with your pet's optimal health in mind!
Retail – Collars, Accessories, etc. PawPawsUSA - A great brand offering fun, artistic, durable handcrafted products for your pets!
Northern VA
Boarding Services
LadyJ Pet Services (Northern VA)
Retail – Pet Products
Dogma Bakery and Boutique, Northern VA
Veterinarian
Parkway Veterinary Clinic, Burke VA (our personal vet in VA) (THE BEST!)
Charlottesville VA
Retail – Pet Products
Natural Pet Essentials, Charlottesville VA
Shopping from the comfort of your chair!
Retail – Subscription Service for Dogs - Untamed Pet Company - finally, a subscription service with HEALTHY treats and chews! This wonderfully curated selection is locally made in Charleston SC and will bring a huge smile to your dog's face! You can do a one-time or regular subscription - give them a try and see what your dog thinks!
Retail – SAFE PET WALKING - Damsel in Defense- Dog walking can be tricky if you want to enjoy your time with your pooch, but have a reactive dog, for example, and are worried about being approached by off-leash dogs uninvited. I have a device from this company that has given me so much confidence walking two good-sized dogs simultaneously (something I could not do safely before). Check it out if you enjoy taking your dogs out, but have concerns with off-leash dogs getting in your business!
Retail – Antlers (Roux's fave!)
Acadia Antlers - We have purchased antlers from this small business since 2015 - top quality, long-lasting chews and excellent customer service! The owner often attends pet expos so you may be able pick some up directly, depending on where you live.
Retail – Athleisure with a Twist - Rescued Hearts - Founded by big-hearted animal lovers, Rescued Hearts offers great gear made in the USA! They also donate 10% of all proceeds to animal rescue groups so supporting their small business is a win-win!
Retail – Pavlodoh - This all natural, limited ingredient dog treat cookie dough will send you into "favorite human" status! Easy to use, fun for kids to mold into shapes and GOOD FOR YOUR PETS. Reach out to the maker for more info or to grab a tub today.
Retail – Doggie DNA Kits
Embark DNA Kits - Trusted resources, excellent customer service and timely processing make this our top pick! Multiple kits you can choose from to suit your needs -- from breed identification to health kits.
Retail – Accessories No.2 Tote - Great product for responsible pet owners who are active and maybe don't want to openly carry "rented food" on the rest of the hike or jog! (I am also all for anything that helps keep pet waste OFF the streets and public grasses and this makes it so convenient and easy for people to be responsible!) Local pet stores can also contact the maker directly for wholesale information.
Retail Dog Accessories - Handcrafted Collars (via Etsy) Affluent Dogs - High quality, handcrafted dog collars for the special pups in your life, made with love by a devoted dog mom!
Retail – Harnesses
USA Dog Shop/Freedom No Pull Harness- We used these harnesses with our first generation of catahoulas so we have quite a history with them and they are the only harness we use with Roux and Gracie. We LOVE them! You can send your dog's measurements and the harness will arrive basically fitted for your pup. Great for training (and my favorite part - secure for travel walks, especially since there is a two-clip leash you can purchase too). So many colors and color combos - we have at least six of these because a dog needs options. :) There is also a chew warranty (which we used two or three times when Roux was a puppy).
Retail – Memorials
Online resource for pet memorial jewelry (I have used them and recommend their products) can be viewed at Perfect Memorials). I still wear Bandit's ashes each day and doing so brings me comfort.
Retail – Artist **
Natalie Spinelli - We personally have several original works created by this incredibly talented artist.
Retail – Artist **
Louise Hall with Aubergine Studio - recently met the artist and saw her work in person - different style than above noted artist; great work!
Retail – Artist **
Rick Sargent- recent connection - go check out his work!
Retail – Artist **
Max T Art - caricature artist - so fun and easy to work with!! Follow him on Facebook here.
Retail – Artist ** Michele Levani Art - lovely work!
Retail – Artist ** Enzomatic Watercolor - beautiful watercolor works from this dog-loving artist!
** Clients who opt to commission a painting and need one or more high resolution digitals for the artist - I will send the image(s) directly to the artist for you at no charge to you.
*****
Pet-Friendly Vacation Properties
I ONLY travel with Roux and Gracie so I know how important it is to find suitable accommodations! Following are a few options/locations where we have either stayed and had a great experience or know/trust the owners (or both!).
Isle of Palms SC
Pet-friendly Short and Long-Term Rentals (owned and managed by the awesome people whose rentals we enjoyed for years prior to moving here full-time) Waterview Property Management.
Mount Pleasant, SC
Cute, convenient and pet-friendly with fenced yard (via AirBnB) 30+ days - for shorter term rentals contact the owner directly.
Myrtle Beach SC
Pet-friendly, fully fenced yard - cute, comfortable, convenient! (via AirBnB)
Greenville SC
Pet-friendly, fully fenced yard, and close to downtown GVL! (via AirBnB)
Black Mountain NC (near Asheville)
Hidden Pond Cabin - pet-friendly, fully fenced yard - owned and managed by dog loving professionals! (via AirBnB)
Delaplane VA (near Middleburg)
The Trails Home Farm- this wonderfully pet-friendly property boasts a large, fully fenced yard, great amenities and a perfect location - and use of the property supports the good work of the people at Homeward Trails Animal Rescue! (via AirBnB)
As I make new business acquaintances and become comfortable recommending them, I will continue to update the list. If you are or know of a small pet-related business or service provider in the area who I should make friends with, please get in touch!