Where to Holiday Shop for Spot?

Last week I wrote about where to get a furry friend in the area, and this week we will focus on how to spoil that precious member of your family.

There are two main pet shops in Morton Grove. at 7961 Golf Rd. and at 7204 Dempster St. give our town a good selection of pet goodies - from cages to food to angora sweaters. You can also find such items as argyle collars and other stylish pet accessories at stores these days, such as The Dollar Store and Old Navy.

In this column I am focusing on the true pet stores in town.

Pet Supplies "Plus" is a chain that carries live animals such as rabbits, hamsters, frogs and fish. Since I talked about adopting and not shopping for a pet last week, I must point out that there are rabbit rescues, such as The House Rabbit Society, where you can adopt.

I was impressed to hear that the rabbits at Pet Supplies "Plus" are neutered before they are sold, and when talking with staff, they were educated on the needs of the small animals they carried.

They knew such things as the health problems associated with putting cedar shavings in a hamster cage and the correct lighting for a frog aquarium. They also carry a range of foods for just about any pet you are likely to have at home. My favorite purchase there was a silent hamster wheel, which was number one on our little "Draco's" Hanukah list this year.

Just north of the Pet Supplies "Plus" at the corner of Golf and Washington, is a different kind of pet shop.

Paws Pet Shop is a pet boutique, but don't shy away if you have a 90 lb. lab and think you're too tough to shop in a shi-shi store. This store has something for every kind of dog and cat you may have lounging on your sofa at home.

Finding this store can be difficult if you aren't looking for it among the more pedestrian type shops in the strip mall. I actually stumbled upon it one day when I was shopping at Aldi.

When first entering you may think this store belongs on Oak Street in Chicago, with wood floors (okay, they're sinthetic, but look good!) and crown moldings. As you walk through the little picket fence for dogs,  you may be greeted by a yip, and looking down you would see one of several store mascots.

The owners of the store opened Paws Pet Place because they couldn't find the food they wanted to feed their own dogs. They carry a wide range of all natural dog and cat foods. You won't find anything with artificial preservatives or by-products in this store. They also carry a line of raw pet food as well.

Just ask for it, they keep it in the refridgerator in the back room. The treats are just as nutritious for dogs and cats as the food.