St. Clair Shores Goes to the Dogs

If you've been in the south side of the city and noticed it has more "wag" to it, that's because the city is going to the dogs -- in a good way.

Whether you want to get your pooch groomed, buy him a fancy leash or some tasty treats, or need a place for Fido to get training, enjoy play time, or some doggie daycare, the 48080 has your needs covered. And of course, there is Maloof Dog Park, at Harper and Brys (just a hair north of Eight Mile Road), another spot where dogs can get a chance to run around. An annual permit is required and costs $20 for residents, $30 for non-residents.

Read on for more:

2300 E. Industrial Drive
586-778-0000
www.​americanpetsinn.​com

Susan Koczara opened American Pets Inn at the tail end of 2006. The former teacher was visiting her son in California and she spotted several doggie day cares, which sparked her interest.

She chose the Industrial Park area because of all the room it offers dogs to roam."Our dogs can break into a run and expel some energy," she says.

St. Clair Shores proved ideal, close to the expressway, perfect for commuters to drop off their pets on the way to and from work, or for people in neighboring communities to have a convenient pet care facility to utilize.

Besides day care, they American Pets Inn offers boarding, grooming, training and spa and play days. Check in for specials and to take a tour.

One fun detail is they Tweet from the dog's point of view. Access it from Check it out @Lagerschnitzel.

Bubbles N' Barks

21300 Harper
586-552-2757
www.​bubblesnbarks.​com/

Louis George opened Bubbles N' Barks in June 2010. It's a self- and full-service dog wash, and you can bring your dog in for professional grooming, too. Self-serve is affordable -- $11.99 for use of soap, water, an elevated tub, and all other needed equipment. Plus, no sore back from bending over to scrub Fido in the tub, and no mess to worry about, either.

Or opt to get your dog's nails clipped, buy him a treat or leash, or if he needs a quick cleanup after some rough or mucky play at the dog park (BNB is practically across the street from the park), it's a good and quick way to go.

Plus, George says people like the hours -- open until 9 p.m. every day, except until 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Camp Bow Wow

19795 E. Nine Mile Road
586-445-9663
www.​campbowwow.​com/​us/​mi/​stclairshores/

Camp Bow Wow has been in the neighborhood for 5-1/2 years, when Tony Caruso opened the site.

He first became familiar with Camp Bow Wow as a customer, when he boarded his dog at the Troy location. "My dog walked me into it," he jokes, but he liked the business so much he decided to open his own in St. Clair Shores, where he saw a lot of potential and need.

Camp Bow Wow offers a pooch a full camp experience, and its 6,500-square-feet of space gives dogs plenty of room to run, roam and play -- even in the indoor and outdoor pools.

They also offer "camp showers" (dog baths and nail clips), day care, boarding, training, and in-home pet care. They'll also pick your dog up or bring him home -- for an added fee -- providing an added convenience.

Camp Bow Wow also has Camper Cams, where customers can check in on their dogs and see what they're up to. 

Caruso has the site next to" at 9 Mile and Greater Mack. There, he donates the space twice a month to the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, where they currently hold their animal adoptions. A schedule of adoptions is available on the website of the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society.

Furry Babies Boutique & Salon

25308 Little Mack Ave.
586-773-5470
furrybabiesboutique.​com/

Robin Newberry has always loved animals. "I've always had at least a dog," she says, so when she had a chance to buy Canine Creations four years ago, she made the leap.

She offers full-service grooming and can even do birds. She deals with a lot of smaller breeds -- Shih Tzus, Maltese dogs and more -- but also works with larger dogs and even grooms cats.

In addition, she has a boutique inside, where customers can shop for pet clothing, toys, mugs, and other items.

Goochie Poochie

22330 Harper Ave.
586-776-6565

The folks at Goochie Poochie has been grooming dogs since the 1970s, when it was located at Harper and Cadieux. Then owner Ann Kelly-Loomis moved the business to its current Harper Avenue location in 1991.

She chose St. Clair Shores because she lives in the city; the shop is close to her home. Business must be good; she recommends an appointment two weeks in advance. Goochie Poochie has no website. "We're just a little neighborhood business," Kelly-Loomis says, depending on word of mouth and loyal customers.

Lil' Dogs Resort

22940 E. Industrial Drive
586-777-7756
www.​lildogsresort.​com

Lil' Dogs Resort promises "Big Love for Small Dogs." Owners Carrie and Jacqueline Krausmann opened Lil' Dogs three years ago, and offer boarding, daycare, training and spa services. Plus they have a boutique on site, selling treats, artwork, pet supplies and more.

Carrie says they focus on small dogs -- hence, the name -- and they also work with special cases: geriatric, nervous and abused dogs.

St. Clair Shores was a natural, with the space available by the Industrial Park, and Carrie says they've also seen a nice uptick in business from the dog park.

Pet Supplies Plus

23700 Greater Mack
586-771-1710
www.​petsuppliesplus.​com

Also on the south side of the city, at Nine Mile and Greater Mack, is Pet Supplies Plus. (There is also one at 13 Mile and Harper). There, one can buy pet food, dog and cat toys, leashes, pet carriers and much more.