Fetch delivers pet products to homes in the Twin Cities.

Remember Pets.com, that short-lived online pet store that delivered to your door? The company went under in 2000, though not for lack of a great concept, as evidenced by FetchDelivers.com, a Twin Cities-based version that takes the grunt work out of keeping Spot stocked with food, treats and toys.

As owner of a pet store—and not a virtual one—Jay Cowan still found himself out of dog food from time to time. Intrigued by the Pets.com concept and loathe to leave the house for emergency dog food runs, Cowan sold his store and started Fetch Delivers as a local, affordable answer for pet owners like himself.

Concept aside, the Web site is especially valuable to Metro dog owners during the upcoming winter months. Picture this: February has dumped another blizzard upon us, it’s four degrees outside, and your pup only has three bowls of food left. Having said food show up on your doorstep certainly seems like the more civilized option, doesn’t it? Especially if said food shows up with a smiling face, no delivery charge and a special treat for Toto?

Tess Keen, director of sales and marketing for Fetch, Inc., points out an added convenience for winter-bound pet owners. “Fetch carries salt for both your water softeners and your driveways,” she says. “We have both regular ice melt and pet-safe ice melt. It was just another heavy and bothersome item to have to go pick up at your local store. Now you can let us do the salt and pet supply delivery for you.”

A man, a plan, a pet, a concept. Looks like FetchDelivers.com just made winter a lot easier for cold people and hungry pets.

Ever stared at beautiful vacation vista and thought ‘I wish Sparky was here to see this?’ Fall is a perfect time for travel, and Bone Adventure, with three stores in the Twin Cities area, has a rainbow of gear to help you indulge your Weimaraner’s wanderlust or your Terrier’s travel bug

Smaller airborne pups will feel comfy-cozy in the SturdiBag airline-approved travel carriers, which unfold like a tent and fit under your seat. Brian Fulmer, owner and creator of Bone Adventure, advises savvy travelers to buy their travel carriers as soon as they plan their trips, then leaving them open in the house so that worldly doggies can investigate and get comfortable with them prior to takeoff.

West Paw design’s Eco Nap beds are a fleecy way to protect your car seats and help Spot settle in for a long car ride. The super-tough beds are made from recycled soda bottles and come in a number of sizes and colors.

Doggies traveling by car or plane might need a bit of calming when adjusting to their new surroundings, so remind them of home with a familiar toy (we like the adorable and organic bears, sheep and bunnies from Simply Fido,) or soothe their nerves with lavender-and-chamomile-infused Mellow Mut treats from Dogswell.

Fulmer espouses the importance of having water on-hand while traveling, a task made easier with the

...and after

Tazlab before...

flexible rubber fold-up water bowls from Tazlab, which come in an array of bright colors. However, “Don’t worry if they don’t want to drink,” Fulmer says, “and don’t overfeed or overwater your dog before travel: If traveling early in day, do a half-portion of food the night before, then another half-portion once you’re at your destination.”

With a clear itinerary and a well-prepared pup, you’ll be glad you brought your best friend along for the ride.

Oily coat, bald spots, low energy, inflammatory bowel disease. This is not another list from a bad television pharmaceutical commercial, but rather a very real, heartbreaking description of the health issues experienced by Woody (pictured left), the beloved dog of Enrique Palma, and the namesake to Palma’s new venture, Woody’s Pet Food Deli, now open in Southwest Minneapolis.

Palma and wife Michelle are on a crusade to see pets become healthy. Their quest began with Woody.

The Palma’s adopted Woody shortly after they moved here from the Phillipines. Palma said they purchased dry kibble for him since that is what they noticed most people here in the U.S. did. They couple assumed it would be good for him. But growing up in the Philippines, Palma said their family dogs were always fed a wholesome diet of real food like meats and vegetables.

“Most of our dogs growing up, all medium sized mixed breeds, lived to be more than 15 years old with almost no health problems,” said Palma. “I believe, now , that was because of their diet.”

The Raw Truth

But as Woody’s health deteriorated, the Palmas questioned whether he’d even live to be seven. After several visits to numerous veterinarians and experimentation with drug therapies and many different types of dry dog foods, it dawned on Palma that perhaps it was the food Woody was eating that was causing his ailments.

He dove into months of research about canine nutrition, reading, searching and talking to vets and other experts and slowly began to change Woody’s diet from dry kibble to all natural raw meats and vegetables.

“Almost right away there were noticeable improvements in Woody’s coat,” said Palma. “The excessive shedding and the oiliness, for example. Then, gradually, he got better. Completely.”

Canine Crusade

The changes in Woody as well as the Palmas’ other dog, Fred, were so dramatic that they felt a calling and a responsibility to help other dogs for whom diet is the root cause of health problems. They opened Woody’s Pet Food Deli (inside pictured left) in June of this year.

“All dogs’ needs are different. They are carnivores who need real food. There is no one miracle food. They, and all animals, as well as humans, need a variety of foods,” said Palma.

Consulting and Community for Carnivores

Woody’s Pet Food Deli is a place where people can go to select from nearly 10 different kinds raw or cooked whole meats, from rabbit and elk to turkey and lamb. They also provide fresh vegetables and fruit mixtures and nutritious treats and supplements.

It’s also a comfortable, community gathering spot for dogs and dog lovers where you’ll find both fun and educational events happening on a regular basis.

Palma and his staff are on hand to consult with dog owners regarding their dog’s special needs and then customize a diet for him or her.

Customers can sample the foods first before buying.

Woody’s Pet Food Deli
www.woodyspetdeli.com
3008 W. 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
612-208-0335
Hours: T-Sa: 12PM-7PM; Su: 12PM-5PM; Closed Mondays

Woody’s Recommended Resources
www.caninehealthconcerns.com
www.drmarty.com
www.doctormwfox.org

Coming soon is Woody’s Pet Food Deli, a place dedicated to dishing up healthy meat and produce-based whole foods for dogs and cats. Husband and wife, Enrique and Michele Palma started the company to make a difference in the health of companion animals. They have a full deli menu making it easy for dog parents to stop in and get what they need.

The business was inspired by their dogs, Woody (pictured left) and Fred (below), who each had vast improvements in their health when they traded in their diet of dry kibble and began eating hand-prepared meals of raw and cooked meats and vegetables.

The store opens in late June. Until then, catch them at the Mill City Farmers Market happening throughout the summer!