If you’re a couple of cats living with three dogs, you’re probably thinking you want a room of your own. You want a space where those pesky dogs are not going to be eating your food or ‒ horrors ‒ nosing around in your kitty litter.
So if your people happen to be Steve and Steven, and they have their entire home renovated by Lagois Design∙Build∙Renovate, and you end up with a room of your very own, you might think you’ve won the cat lottery.
The room is small, comfy and easy to clean. The light turns on when they enter. It has its own door that the dogs can’t get through. Their dry food is there and a litter box for each.
We’re not divas
The dogs of the household, a miniature Schnauzer, a Border Collie-Shepherd mix and a Malamute-Dutch Shepherd mix, seem fine with it. If they could speak, they might say they’re not the divas of the family, after all.
It’s no wonder the animals in this home are so pampered and well cared for. Steve and Steven are the owners of three Pet Valu stores in Kemptville, Winchester, and Gloucester. They bought their first location in 2012 and have steadily expanded since then. Now they have a huge and dedicated team in all three locations and a big following among devoted pet owners.
Pampered pets and pet owners
In fact, Pet Valu stands out from other pet stores because of its staff. They’re pet experts who have taken in-depth training on animal health and nutrition. Pet owners know this is a place where they can get advice from someone who knows and uses the products. There’s always someone they can talk to, someone who has the correct knowledge.
Each of Steve and Steven’s stores have a self-serve pet wash. They provide a variety of shampoos, towels and blow dryers as well as big raised tubs that make it so much easier than bending over a bathtub at home.
Muddy dog? No problem
“So if you’ve got a muddy dog that’s been rolling around in something and it stinks… well, that’s why we’re here,” says Steve. “And we clean up the mess afterwards.”
In addition to products, each store works with a local cat rescue, and there are usually cats or kittens available for adoption. They also do fundraising events with dog rescues. There’s a lizard rescue group they work with, too, and a group for “pocket pets” (hamsters, guinea pigs).
Is there such a thing as a cat person or a dog person?
Oh, yes.
Cats demand; dogs just smile
“When you’re shopping for a cat,” says Steve,” it’s about serving your cat’s needs. You are a servant to the cat. But for dogs, well, that’s less about pampering and more about having fun.”
And what do people look for at their stores besides all the pet food products? For cats, it’s cat beds and scratching posts, cat trees and sometimes fashion ‒ but that seems to be more of a dog domain. There are all kinds of dog sweaters and jackets and boots. There are even
“suspender” boots so the boots don’t fly off their feet when they’re running.
In the Christmas season, people enjoy buying dog and cat Advent calendars filled with dog and cat treats. Children love to give these to their pets.
Pet-friendly tricks for their home
At home, Steve and Steven chose pet-friendly surfaces and finishes in their renovation that help alleviate pet hair on the floor or scratches from dog and cat nails. Instead of replacing their hardwood floors with hardwood, they chose a luxury vinyl plank that withstands scratches and other wear and tear. They also chose medium tones to camouflage pet hair and dirt.
Steve and Steven are happy with the whole house. (See the video, here.)
The cats approve
“Lagois was amazing to work with,” Steven said. “They made it easy and stress-free for us. It was a great experience.”
If you ask the cats, they’d probably agree.
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