Four-legged friends and their human companions enthusiastically welcomed a new pet boutique to downtown Bellefontaine this week, with a ribbon cutting celebration for Wags Bakery & Grooming Thursday, April 30. 

Owner Suzanne Williams offered tours of the new space at 118 N. Main St., including the dog grooming and pet wash areas and all of the specialty bakery and retail items prior to joining with officials from the Logan County Chamber of Commerce for the official ribbon cutting.

The location is Williams’ second Wags Bakery & Grooming, as she opened the first location in downtown Urbana about two years ago. In fact, Saturday, May 2, is Wags of Urbana’s second birthday party, with special activities planned for that store at 321 N. Main St. 

Williams and her husband, Jon, shared some of the story behind the business, all inspired by a health crisis faced by their beloved dog Buckeye in 2017. 

Buckeye was hit by a vehicle one day, which prompted an urgent trip to a pet ER. 

“While we learned that Buckeye was fine from being hit by a car, the vet informed us that his X-rays came back very concerning, as his lungs were filled with a substance that looked like cotton,” Williams recounted. 

The family learned that their golden retriever had blastomycosis, a devastating fungal invasion with the potential to ravage both pets and humans alike.

“It’s a fungus and spore that’s found in Ohio, around lakes and places that are moist. He had gotten into a lake at a dog park,” the Wags Bakery owner said.  

“Though not cancer, its aggressive spread posed a grave threat. They said this is fixable for Buckeye, but we have to hurry. If it crosses the blood/brain barrier, then he’s done for. There’s no cure once it goes to the brain.”

Williams said Buckeye received specialty medication to treat the blastomycosis. Unfortunately, her dog initially didn’t want to take the medicine or eat his regular food. So that’s when the idea of crafting homemade dog food was born. 

“I resorted to making homemade dog food and treats for him. He got better and we had another five years with him,” Williams said.  

“I loved having that experience for my dog and giving him something that was wholesome and nutritious. 

“I began researching what was in most dog food and I became very concerned, so I thought this was a great way that I could give back to other pet owners.  

“I’m creative and by trade, I’m a marketing professional. I wanted to create these healthy treats and something that dogs love and turn that into a welcoming space for pets.”

During the tours of Wags Bakery, Williams showcased a fun and unusual device that you might not expect to find at a pet boutique - a soft serve ice cream machine, which will provide sweet treats for pups in the summertime. 

The animal-loving owner has curated ice cream recipes that are dog-friendly, with the first pumpkin and beef flavored ice cream with a yogurt base to be served up close to Memorial Day, on Fridays and Saturdays. 

“Our dogs tried this pumpkin and beef flavor and they absolutely loved it. I thought it was disgusting," Williams said with a laugh. “It’s definitely not for people, but it is great for your dogs.”

These “Good Pup Cups” will even be topped with a peanut butter treat.

Around the retail space, many pet accessories are for sale, including dog bandanas and  grooming tools, dog toys and treat jars; along with pet owner T-shirts designed by Williams, some specific to Bellefontaine. 

In addition to the dog bakery treats made fresh daily in house, there is a natural treat bar, featuring items like chicken feet, pig feet and all-natural chews.

There also is a birthday party section, with party hats, take home cakes and ice cream. Custom made specialty cakes can be ordered as well. 

Much of the retail space is open, so that there’s plenty of room to host events, Williams noted. A Dog Grooming 101 class is planned for Tuesday, May 26; and a Paws and Patriots Photo Shoot: Dog Dad edition is set for Saturday, June 13, with a photographer on site in time for Father’s Day. 

Grooming sessions with a professional groomer can be booked online at https://wagsbakery.shop/grooming-services/. 

Find out more about other events and services at “Wags Bakery & Grooming - Bellefontaine” on Facebook. 

The pet boutique is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and is closed Sunday and Monday The store can be reached at (937) 505-0554.