Cosmo: Bring on the Grocery!

Check out Cosmo,...
Don't mess with boys and their toys. Sporting his new Gear and Hair-Do from Timmie Doggie Outfitters. He's such a stud!

Farewell Bear (NOV 1990 - JUNE 12, 2007)

On June 12th, we lost our good buddy Bear. He will be missed very much.

Toronto Star Article - June 2, 2007

DOGGIE STYLE

RITA ZEKAS
LIVING REPORTER
STORE GAZING

We don't really condone dressing up one's pets or dyeing their fur to match one's hair. It's just asking for the critter to turn on you and rip out your throat or, at the least, pee in your shoes.

That said, if there is an occasion to play doggie dress-up, it's at Woofstock, held June 9 and 10 at the St. Lawrence Market 'hood at Front and Jarvis. They will also be closing down parts of Church and Market Sts.

We meet Woofstook organizer Marlene Cook and her 13-year-old wheaton terrier, Barkley, at Timmie Doggie Outfitters at 867 Queen St. W. The shop was not named after Timmie of Lassie fame. It was named after co-owner Paul Ryu's oldest dog, a Lab mix.

Timmie offers designer toys, clothes, accessories, treats, gourmet food and grooming "for the posh pooch and glamour puss." There is even a Zen-like spa space in the basement where Fido can get a massage.

We notice a pile of Hello Kitty T-shirts for dogs. "Dogs don't mind wearing them," insists co-owner Georges Khayat.

Even Barkley is not averse to cross-dressing, insists Cook, founder of The Old Clothing Show & Sale.

"Barkley loves clothes," she says, manipulating him into a Rambo camouflage outfit.

The dog eyes the $44 leather collars. Cook has no problem spending that much. Even $30 for a skull tank top that would only fit a teeny, weenie fashion accessory dog.

"I have a grown-up son, Jared, 23, and the dogs (Cook has another dog, Sydney, 8) are my kids," she explains. "I buy tons of stuff for them; I bring back gifts for them. In Canada, the pet industry is a $4 billion industry, with $2 billion spent on luxury items."

Cook carries a dog tote bag. She swears that she wasn't even a dog person until she got Barkley.

"I got hooked," she allows. "The next thing you know, I made coats for dogs: Barkley's Best Dog Wear. I sold them in New York and California. I made recycled cashmere sweaters for dogs 10 years ago. I was way ahead of my time."

Cook runs the Sunday Antique Market in the St. Lawrence Market. This is the fifth year for Woofstock.

"It has doubled in size and tripled in attendance. There were 140,000 people (last year)," she says, most of whom had dogs with them.

"I do events, and Woofstock evolved as the ultimate shopping event for dogs in the world. The first year had maybe 50 exhibitors; now there are 200 vendors selling everything from clothing, prom dresses, cookies, vitamins, doggie ice cream and doggie spas. We have the Stupid Dog Trick Contest where the prize is a weekend for two at the Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel."

In addition to Timmie's, Cook shops at Bark & Fitz and Three Dog Bakery in the Beach.

"Barkley has cataracts and Bark & Fitz have doggie goggles ($35)," she says. "People think he is wearing them because they are cute but they are functional. I bought a great rolled-up bed in a Hawaiian print at Old Navy for Barkley. He gets up at 4 a.m. with me because I set up at the Sunday market at 5 a.m.

"I'm such a shopper. I'll buy a cheap top at H&M and an expensive Coach bag and I'll mix and match cheap with expensive for the dogs just like I buy for me. I like Old Navy designs."

Next stop: Old Navy at the Eaton Centre, where Barkley's tail goes into wag overdrive.

"Barkley loves Old Navy," Cook says. "Look at his smile."

Colourful fabric collars are priced at $7.50; doggie polo shirts go for $12.50; surfer dogs T-shirts are $10.50 and they match a Frisbee.

In fact, dog and adult clothes are often co-ordinated and Old Navy is holding a fashion show at Woofstock at noon on both days.

Visit woofstock.ca.

OZ with his stylish Backpack

Check out my buddy OZ. He looks so cool with his Removable Backpack Harness. Now he can help his mommy carry grocery home. He's so lucky!!!

Globe and Mail Article - April 21, 2007

TALK OF THE TOWN
TIMMIE DOGGIE OUTFITTERS

DEIRDRE KELLY

The bow-wow set now has a day spa where pooches can be pampered to within an inch of their wagging tails.

Tucked into the basement of Timmie Doggie Outfitters on Queen Street West, kitty-corner to the dog-walking mecca of Trinity Bellwoods Park, the spa offers pet colouring (for special occasions) and a Dead Sea mud scrub for those finicky frisky types. There's also ear cleaning and plucking and a pedicure that includes a "pawlish" of Fido's choice. Prices range from $10 for a mere nail trimming to $40 for a de-matting.

The spa opened Thursday night with a shaggy chic party featuring cupcakes for the dogs. To start, it will be open Fridays and Saturdays by appointment only.

"Our customers were demanding it," co-owner Georges Khayat says. "There isn't a groomer in the area right now and people who were already coming in asked us to do it because it would be convenient for them."

The clientele, which includes eTalk's Tanya Kim and Allen Chan, one of the current Designer Guys, hails from the neighbourhood.

Since June, Mr. Khayat and his business partner, Paul Ryu, have been operating the upstairs portion as an emporium selling doggie treats and accessories -- complete with imitation Chanel dog dresses (we kid you not) that cost $140. Mr. Ryu is the owner of the canine whose name graces their 1,000-square-foot shop.

The doggie spa is more than just a kennel with a comb. A stainless-steel, state-of-the-art dog-washing tub -- worth $5,000 -- takes centre stage alongside a pair of reclining "spa" tables in a contemporary design that wouldn't be out of place in the Museum of Modern Art.

This is where the deep-tissue massages and dog facials take place, services that even Mr. Khayat says seem a tad de trop.

"It is extreme," he allows. "But these are people who think of their pets as kids and they want to lavish on them all kinds of gifts and treats. They want their pets to look as stylish as them."

867 Queen St. W., 416-203-6789.

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit Part 5

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit Part 4

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit Part 3

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit Part 2

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit Part 1

What another party!

Thank you all who came out and participated in the open house of our new doggie spa. Also a very special thanks to all the photographers who put up their amazing photos; Roy Belding, Suzanne Bird, Venessa Heins, Kazuyoshi & Rhiana Ehara.

Check out the pics.

And get ready for more photo and art shows.

Mullet and his Bed

Whoa! check out my buddy Mullet chillin' on his Super soft, Super smooth reversible ultra suede bed. He's so lucky!

Spa Open House & Doggie Photo Exhibit

Oscar absolutely loves his new toy

Check our buddy Oscar busting up that cheaky mouse! And look what Oskers mom said about our product below! Cool!



Looks like you guys are pretty good at choosing hit products for cats as well as dogs. Oscar absolutely loves his new toy as you can see in the attached photos.

Love,
Viv

Red Lobster

This is Millie chilling out with her favorite toy ... the red lobster.

Ringo's New Gear

Check out Ringo in his new gear! He is sporting the Ruff Wear boots and harness ... hardcore!!!

Perro From Habana, Cuba

Photo by Paul Riss

Sorry Elvis,...I'm a Bad Doggie!

This is long overdue. Here's some super shots of Elvis during Halloween. He's so Goth! Elvis, that look is SICK! (that means HOT! in hipster).

Wanted: Professional Groomer

Please contact Paul Ryu
Timmie Doggie Outfitters

867 Queen St. W
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1G4
416 203 6789
416 203 9995

timmie.ca timmiesdogblog.blogspot.com

New York Times - On the Street - When It’s Cold

On the Street - When It’s Cold By BILL CUNNINGHAM
Published: February 25, 2007


During recent cold weather, dogs and humans seemed to have exchanged slipcovers. A Great Dane wore a hooded down jacket. Another pampered pet entered Tiffany’s in a white-knit sweater trimmed in mink, with a gold-sequined purse attached, wearing rose-tinted glasses. Meanwhile, humans were hidden under giant fur hats. Interestingly, none of the dogs matched the humans they accompanied.

National Post Article - February 17, 2006

DOGGIE STYLE DILEMMA UNLEASHED

Zosia Bielski, National Post
Published: Saturday, February 17, 2007

You'd think the fur would fly when Timmie Doggie Outfitters opened next door to Helmutt's Pet Supply along the trendiest stretch of Queen West last spring. Helmutt's (865 Queen St. W.) had been on the block for a decade; Timmie (867 Queen St. W.) set up shop in May. Just how many gourmet pet shops did the people of Trinity Bellwoods need? And how could Timmie so shamelessly bark up Helmutt's tree? Zosia Bielski sniffed it out.

If Helmutt's had a celebrity patron, it would likely come in the form of Woody Harrelson, at least his hemp loving, rabid yogi incarnation. It's no-nonsense, down-to-earth, socially conscious and rough and tumble -- the kind of place you'd expect to be around for a decade, even in one of the city's most coveted neighbourhoods.

In front of Helmutt's lime green exterior, a setter cheerfully sniffs another setter's rump. Inside, the cozy shop sells everything from organic catnip to parakeet giblets to sweet potato and duck chow for pooches. Helmutt's has that slightly acrid scent particular to pet stores.

For cats, there is fresh cat grass, dehydrated salmon treats, beautifully packaged chicken fricassee. The manager recommends Wysong, a small brand out of Michigan that specializes in organic treats. Later that day, wolfing down Wysong's seafood meal, my cat gets her first taste of unprocessed cuisine, including ground flax seeds, dried kelp, sage, rosemary and artichoke. I can say with full certainty she ate better than I did that day.

After dinner, she enjoys the small furry ball that Helmutt's sells for 95?, just one of their very affordable toys. I douse the ball in catnip and watch my cat go ballistic; the clicking noise really gets to them, the manager tells me after asking me about my pets.

For dogs, Helmutt's carries dried snake skin treats and pig ears, on special.

These guys are passionate about animals. Pit bull co-op listings and lost cat posters flank the cash desk. Paper paws adorn the front door and window: For $2, customers sign their name on a paw and support autistic kids who need help dogs.

What Woody Harrelson is to Helmutt's, Paris Hilton and Fred Durst are to Timmie. A well-coiffed couple shops for a dog carrier. Owner Paul Ryu stacks gourmet dog treats on whitewashed shelves, apologizing for a non-existent mess. Every few minutes, he shushes a dog barking from the back room -- curious, considering it's a dog's Neverland. Mary J. Blige croons over the stereo. The store smells like Banana Republic.

For anyone who ever dared to dream of dressing their Pomeranian in a pink peacoat and seafoam green booties, Timmie is the spot. Denim vests and droll T-shirts line the shelves, and Swarovski crystal studded leashes shimmer pink from a jewellery case. They go for $200 to $300, depending on the size; Ryu imports them from Hollywood.

Strawberry milk baths, $10 cat treats sold from ornate Chinese takeout boxes, squeeze toys shaped like crowns, Grecian laurels and Hummer tires: These pets live the high life. From a miniature ice cream parlour set up by the front door, Ryu sells freeze-dried ice cream treats in peanut butter and vanilla. No animal smell and no irony here.

Ryu also asks me about my pets. I tell him about my dead cat and my live cat; he seems to care. He asks me about the lifespan of a typical feline. Well, I've known them to live to 26 with lonely actors, but the Humane Society says outdoor cats usually kick the bucket at age three. But what's the deal? Why amI helping this doggie-savant with his research? Ryu tells me the store is expanding its cat goodie line. Perhaps Timmie will make it to its first anniversary after all. Rumour has it Ryu is trying to snag some of Helmutt's suppliers. Bad dog.

I drop a whopping $3 on cat food and Ryu tosses a few treats in for free. The snacks are called "Barking Mad"; a pouch goes for $6. They look like fine dark chocolate. My cat gobbles them up, drooling all over the kitchen floor. What was that, I ask Ryu over the phone. "Buffalo liver," he tells me. My cat eats buffalo, I say proudly.

So which one? Between a 95-cent ball that engrosses my cat for days and the buffalo liver that makes her slobber, it's a tough call. The service at Helmutt's and Timmie is excellent, but more importantly, these people are nice, delightful even.

Maybe there is room for two pet stores in Trinity-Bellwoods after all. Following the Ontario Municipal Board's approval of at least four high-rise condos in the Queen West Triangle down the street, the area will soon see 2,000 new regulars, and a few fur kids in need of peacoats.

Séamus' New Dog Dish

Thanks so much for helping me last evening. As you can see from the attachment Séamus is loving his new dishes or is that me and he just thankfull for the fresh water?

Cheers,
B

New Store Hours

Monday to Friday: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Who's Hot!

look at my friends all ready for winter. They're Hot!

Our Donations to Toronto German Shepherd Dog Rescue

in January, we saw the need to help our friends at the Toronto German Shepherd Dog Rescue. And we were overwhelmed with nice responses. See below:


From Christine:
I've just been reading about your donation of dog food to Toronto German Shepherd Rescue. That's wonderful.
Also, I loved your website, esp. the picture of the lab eyeing up the stock. If I'm ever down your way, I'll be sure to pay a visit on behalf of our GSD--one of Anna's rescues. Thank goodness for generous people like you.

Sincerely,
Christine Adams


From Sylvia:
On behalf of the dogs in care and the Toronto German Shepherd Dog Rescue, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of dog food. It is so very much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Silvia, Volunteer
T.G.S.D.R