By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Marlborough??”Sandie and Ken Wheeler believe that friendly and personal service and a warm relationship with their customers is as important as the natural pet products they sell in Pets Gone Healthy, their specialty store on the Marlborough-Northborough town line.
The Wheelers will celebrate the ninth anniversary of Pets Gone Healthy June 1, and they pride themselves on the very personal service they offer their animal customers and the people who care for them. With years of experience in the pet industry, they can serve as resource guides to?? holistic pet products and answer owners” questions.
“We are literally a mom-and-pop store, and we like to know our customers by name when they come in,” Ken said.
“Ken even knows when a customer who buys a particular food is likely to run out and makes sure to order it so it is on hand when they come in,” Sandie added.
“Friendly, leashed pets are welcome in the store,” she noted, and may be greeted by Tori, the Wheelers” golden retriever and chief tasting officer.
Pets Gone Healthy carries only natural foods and products that are by-product free, chemical- free and contain no artificial colorings. The wide variety of foods and treats includes both frozen and dehydrated raw foods, grain-free options, and fresh-baked “cookies” in the bakery case.
And while the store does not stock foods for small animals like rabbits or hamsters, they will be glad to order any such foods their suppliers carry.
In addition to premium dog and cat foods and raw food diets, Pets Gone Healthy carries a broad selection of supplements, herbal remedies and flower essences for a pet's health and wellbeing. Sandie and Ken can assist customers with products that may help with pet concerns.
Just listening to Sandie talk with customers illustrates the store's approach. She recommends a line of soft treats for an older dog who finds it harder to chew the crunchy variety, then points out a natural tick repellant for a customer whose son has a new puppy.
“Where is your dog?” she asks an unaccompanied shopper, and goes outside with a little treat when she learns the dog is in the truck. She suggests a couple of calming herbal options for a skittish cat who has been growling a lot.
For the summer season, the Wheelers remind pet owners to check outdoor animals for ticks daily, and suggest all-natural treatments and repellants. In addition, Sandie urges dog owners to protect their pet's paws from hot surfaces, and the store has sunscreen to protect a dog's pink nose.
The store offers a wide range of outdoor toys for summer play, portable water bowls, assorted collars and leashes, and life jackets for dogs who accompany their owners on boats.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for the monthly emailed newsletter with news of events, new products and tips. The store also keeps track of pet food frequent buyer programs for customers to make sure they don's miss out on manufacturer special offers. And the Wheelers often have samples available so owners can see if their pet likes a food before they purchase a large quantity.
Pets Gone Healthy is located at 505 Boston Post Road West (Rt. 20) in Marlborough in the TwinBoro Crossing Shopping Center. The store is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 508-485-3881 or visit the website at www.petsgonehealthy.com.
?Editor's Note: The preceding is not an endorsement and is presented for informational purposes only.
