Bubbly Paws Dog Wash believes in giving back to the pet community in the Twin Cities and every few weeks we will feature a new dog that is up for adoption from a local pet rescue. To help promote adoption, we will donate a free self-service bath to the person that adopts the dog. Stop back soon to see our first featured rescue dog.
Featured Rescue Dog
The Joy of Brushing your Dog
It’s shedding season. Franklin (like most labs and lab mixes) sheds so much, no matter how often I brush him it seems like it doesn’t make a difference. But I still brush him every day because it is good for both of us. Brushing your dog will make him more comfortable in hot summer weather, alert you to any skin problems, bumps or scrapes she may have picked up and allow you to check for fleas and ticks. Regular brushing also prevents matting in long coated breeds. Matted hair is not only unsightly; it irritates your dog’s skin and in severe cases causes loss of circulation to the skin. Brushing is best done when your dog is dry; we recommend you thoroughly brush your dog before starting a self-service bath. The best brush to use on your dog depends on coat type, we would be happy to recommend an appropriate brush out of the many types we have here at Bubbly Paws.
Grooming your dog should be enjoyable for both of you, so starting to socialize your puppy to getting groomed is vital at a young age. If you have an adult dog that does not care to be brushed positive reinforcement training can greatly improve his or her behavior. First, start slow by asking your dog to stand still while you gently touch the dog with a brush. Reward your dog with small treats. If your dog is doing well, start brushing the body of your dog in the direction her hair grows. If your dog or puppy is squirming, wait for him to relax, then give him a treat and try again later. Gradually increase the time and intensity of your brushing but wait to brush sensitive areas like behind the ears, armpits, belly and rear until your dog is comfortable getting brushed. Try to integrate brushing into times you give your dog affection. The best thing you can give your dog is your time, grooming should be part of the way you and your best buddy bond.
Saturday, June 16th – St Louis Park – Parktacular
Join Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Pampered Pooch Playground at the 2012 St. Louis Park Parktacular event at Wolfe Park from 2-6pm. We will be sponsoring adoptable dogs from the Humane Society. We are proud to be a small, locally owned business located in St Louis Park. For more information click here.
Meet Lill!
Hi, my name is Lill and if you’ve been to Bubbly Paws recently you have probably seen me. I will be writing our blog posts for a while so I thought I would take a minute to introduce myself and tell you about why I love Bubbly Paws. I grew up in south Minneapolis and have always loved animals. My passion for dogs started in high school when I began volunteering for the Golden Valley Humane Society. Since graduating from college and retuning to Minneapolis I have been fostering and volunteering with Secondhand Hounds. In that time I adopted Franklin. I really love being able to bring Frank to work with me, he is a special dog and enjoys being the shop greeter. It means a lot to me that I can support rescues while at work. Bubbly Paws regularly hosts fundraisers for local rescues and sponsors events like Beer with your Buddy and encourages employees to do the Walk for the Animals and other dog-centric events. I also love that Bubbly Paws tries to be as green as possible from the big things like using natural laundry detergent, high-efficiency washers and driers, and locally made Topline shampoo and conditioner that we buy in bulk and dilute in-house to the little things like recycling receipts, reusing gift cards and not using bottled water. We are always looking for ways to be greener and support our local dog rescues, if you have an idea feel free to email me!
Wednesday, June 6th – Wine and Wag
Eat. Drink. Save Dogs from 6-9pm at Darby’s in the North Loop of Minneapolis. The proceeds from ticket sales help provide much-needed medical attention to the dogs of Homeward Bound Rescue (a no-kill shelter). This tail wagging event will include: 5 courses of gourmet appetizers paired with wine from Flirt and Josh Cellars Fruit and cheese skewers Thai chicken skewers Assorted slider sandwiches (fish and meat) Veggie focaccia pizza Cake Live music by Michael Wright Raffle One entry with ticket purchase, additional tickets available for $5 Gourmet treats for your dog Favor bags with goodies & special offers for you and your pooch. For more information and tickets click here. Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws Dog Wash have been sponsoring this event for the past 4 years!
Beer With Your Buddy – Saturday, May 19th
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is proud to sponsor the summer season of the K9-Connection’s Beer With Your Buddy. This great event mixes 2 of the best things in life…. Dogs and Beer. Stop out to the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis for a fun night with your pooch! This event is on Saturday, May 19th from 5-7:30pm. You can purchase your tickets and get more information here.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary, Jessica!
Wow… I can’t believe that Jessica, our AMAZING dog groomer has already been with us for a year. It feels like just yesterday she was impressing us with her test groom. Finding a dog groomer is such a hard task and one that I never look forward to. IT is really hard to find a great groomer, that has a good personality and is willing to deal with customers. It is basically like finding a great hair stylist, but harder!! Jessica is the total package and we absolutely love having her at Bubbly Paws. Thanks again for such a great year!!! For more on our grooming services, visit our dog grooming page.
Keith
Saturday, June 9th – GreyFest
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is proud to support the Greyhound Pets of America – MN and GreyFest 2012 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Click here for more information.
A really funny phone call
Norman comes to Bubbly Paws Dog Wash on a regular basis and is known to lay down in the tub while getting a bath.
Many of you might know that we are the farthest thing from a franchise business, and we are honestly not huge fans of many franchises. We LOVE being a small mom and pop dog wash, and hope that the values come through everyday in our services and how we treat customers. We often get the question, “Wow, this place looks amazing…. Are you a franchise”… We always quickly respond that we are not. I am not really sure why we always get that question, maybe it is because the dog wash looks like a salon for people… Who knows.. I take it as a compliment that someone thinks our place is good enough to copy! We received a phone call last week when I was at the dog wash asking if we wanted to have a booth at the Minnesota Franchise Expo this weekend. I just had to laugh! Obviously, we don’t want to have a booth there! Oh well, it was a pretty entertaining call. We love being a small business, and not run like a corporation.
Hope everyone had a good weekend with their pooch!
Keith
Project Day
Roxy and Bindi making sure we are working hard at the dog wash!
Sometimes I think small business owners forget how important it is to keep a business looking like it is brand new! We always work hard at Bubbly Paws Dog wash to make sure thinks are as fresh and clean as the day we opened. Last sunday, on Easter was the perfect day for us to touch up some of the paint around the tubs and other places around the dog wash. So on Sunday afternoon we took Roxy and her best friend Bindi to the dog wash and re-painted all the tubs. We often find going in on a holiday that we are closed is much easier than going in late at night. So we hope everyone enjoys the updates and know we are always working hard to be the cleanest and freshest dog wash in the Twin Cities.
Have a good night.
Keith
Dog Friendly Patio’s
Patio season is here and there is nothing more fun that taking you pooch to dinner and drinks. We often take Roxy out to dinner with us and people always ask where some of the best places to go are…. We have started to compile a list of dog friendly patios around the Twin Cities, please feel free to comment with anything we have missed as this is a work in progress.
— ROXY APPROVED PATIO’S —
These are patios that and establishments that we have visited with Roxy and know the staff go the extra mile to cater to the dogs.
Pizzeria Lola - SouthWest Minneapolis
Chang Mai Thai – Uptown Minneapolis
McCoys - St Louis Park (Excelsior and Grand)
Yum Kitchen and Bakery - St Louis Park
Cafe Maude - SouthWest Minneapolis
Sebastian Joe’s – Linden Hills Minneapolis
Bar Abeline – Uptown Minneapolis
Tiger Sushi – Uptown Minneapolis
— CUSTOMER SUGGESTIONS —
These are suggestions customers have given us on our Facebook page.
Psycho Suzi’s - Northeast Minneapolis
Happy Gnome - St Paul
The Loop – Downtown Minneapolis
Park Tavern – St Louis Park
Wilde Roast - Northeast Minneapolis
Barbette - Uptown Minneapolis
Burger Jones - Lake Calhoun
Herkimer - Uptown Minneapolis
Lyndale Tap House - Uptown Minneapolis
Tryg’s – Lake Calhoun
Vic’s Bar and Grill - Victoria
Loring Kitchen and Bar - Dinkytown Minneapolis
Tin Fish – Lake Calhoun
Toast Wine Bar - North Loop Minneapolis
Urban Eatery - Lake Calhoun
Mill Valley Kitchen - St Louis Park
Birchwood Cafe - Seward Neighborhood
Town Hall Brewery – West Bank Minneapolis
Lucia’s - Uptown Minneapolis
Joe’s Garage – Loring Park Minneapolis
Tosca Trattoria - Linden Hills Minneapolis
Bob’s Java Hut - Uptown Minneapolis
Staff Night Out
The treats at Psycho Suzi's in Northeast Minneapolis.
This past Sunday night Trycia and I took our staff out to celebrate our 1 year anniversary of being open. I really believe that it is our amazing staff that makes Bubbly Paws Dog Wash such a success and we could never do it without them. So to celebrate being open 1 year, we headed to Northeast Minneapolis to Psycho Suzi’s. We picked this place for a variety of reasons but the main reason was that they have a very dog friendly patio right on the river! We counted 7 dogs that were dining or drinking with their owners. Thanks again to our wonderful crew for such a great past year!
Keith
Protect your pooch this spring and summer
Flea and Tick season is here and we want to make sure your dog is protected. Every spring Jessica our groomer sees a good share of ticks and it has already started! Our friends at FOX 9 did a great story on how to make sure your dog is ready!
Warm Weather Brings Fleas, Ticks Out Early: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
Dog Friendly Gym?
Roxy had a big adventure today… We started the afternoon off with checking out the dog wash and making sure everything was running smooth! Once Roxy got a few treats and other goodies, we went to the gym. I have been training with a personal trainer for the past 2 years and decided to bring Roxy in to surprise her. Roxy ran, and was so excited to see Trycia and Lori (our trainer). Roxy ran right into her studio like she owned the place! Trycia then took her home as I began to workout! Lori is a wonderful trainer and I love going to her! For more information, you can visit her website.
Small Dog Rescue Pictures
A few weeks ago we had a fundraiser for Small Dog Rescue and Becky from Lucky Mutt Photography stopped out to take some pictures. Some of her work is below! Becky is a great pet photographer and we were so glad she was part of this great event! Thanks again to everyone that stopped out!
A Busy Weekend
This past weekend I worked at the Dog Wash both days and had so much fun. Saturday night we had our Bubble Bath Party for Small Dog Rescue and there was an amazing turnout and raised money for a great rescue. Then Sunday was busy all day long with lots of self-service baths, full-service baths and grooming. I nicknamed today “black dog day”, because it seemed like almost every dog that came in for a bath was black. Crazy I tell you!! Roxy even made an appearance both days at the dog wash and enjoyed greeting everyone!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Keith
The Bubbly Bowl
Coco came in to support the Minnesota Boxer Rescue!
Yesterday was the Bubbly Bowl at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and what a great turnout! So many happy dogs and so many happy owners!! All the dogs that came received a digital trading card from Modern Life Photo. Owners got to decide which local pet rescue would receive a $5 donation from their bath and the rescue that received the most donations would receive a Bubbly Paws gift package with gift cards for self-service baths and other goodies! The winning rescue was Retrieve A Golden Of Minnesota (RAGOM). The other rescues that the Bubbly Bowl benefited were The Pet Project, Pet Haven, Greyhound Pets Of America- MN, and The Minnesota Boxer Rescue. What a great time and I promise we will keep doing events like these that give back to the pet community!
Have a good weekend!
Every Gift Has a Story
When Keith and I first discussed having me write for the Pampered Pooch Playground blog, he shared, “Every product we sell has a story.” I always enjoy a good story, so that made me curious. A couple weeks ago, I met Keith at Bubbly Paws to learn more.
One thing I enjoy most about talking to Keith is his passion for dogs and his customers. He believes in promoting local and regional products, and in giving his customers unique options. Many of the products he offers actually came about in a sort of random way. For example, both Bubbly Paws and Pampered Pooch Playground use shampoo and conditioner from Top Line Canine Care. Originally created by owner Todd Pearsall for horses, the products were formulated to soothe and revitalize. Todd is a local guy who brought his dog to day care at Pampered Pooch Playground. After a while, he asked Keith if he would try his Top Line Equine Care products. Keith liked the shampoo and conditioner so much, both Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws were the first to offer the line for dogs and to use them for dog washing. The conditioner is a personal favorite of mine–it smells great and leaves Leo’s Goldendoodle hair very soft. I especially like that the smell lasts about a week after Leo gets washed. Now that’s good stuff!
Bubbly Paws also offers Treat Smart™ dog snacks by Lincoln Bark. This company is owned by a couple out of Chicago, Illinois. Their snacks are made by hand and baked in small batches for freshness. 
They contain no wheat, soy, corn, preservatives, additives, artificial colors, or flavors. But they are packed with nutrition. As their website says, they “are loaded with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients, all 9 amino acids, age-defying antioxidants, are gluten free and contain more calcium per ounce than milk.” Keith met the owners at a dog show, was impressed by the quality of the chewy nuggets, and brought them to Bubbly Paw so our dogs could enjoy them, too. Because they are chewy, they make great treats for training. Since the treats contain human-grade ingredients, Keith has even sampled Treat Smart nuggets himself. He says they taste pretty good!
Bubbly Paws also offers a variety of collars, leashes, and sweaters for your dog. During our visit, we decided to dress up Leo in his first sweater, just for fun. I’m a fan of argyle (much to my husband’s dismay), so when I saw the green argyle, he had to try it!
Then we added a collar with argyle and skulls plus a leash. You can just see a little of the collar above the sweater. Very stylish! Go to Bubbly Paws and have fun trying different things on your dog. The people who work there are nice and will help you with ideas. All you have to do is ask.
I saw a random fact quoted recently in an article, about 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets. Will you be one of them?
I Just Want Treats!
Yesterday, Trycia and I were invited to celebrate our friend Amber’s (from Modern Life Photo) birthday. Amber gives back to lots of pet rescues, and did not want any presents, just treats to give to rescue dogs. I thought that it was a pretty cool idea!! So Trycia and I were out shopping at Target, and grabbed some treats with a Bernese Mountain Dog on the front. If I would have remembered while I was at the dog wash, I would have grabbed some treated that we sell. Amber is one of Roxy’s favorite people and will always whine when she sees Amber. It was a really fun night and I am so glad we went.
Have a good night.
Keith
Yea! Snow!
I have lived in Minneapolis for almost 10 years, and this winter is by far my favorite! It actually makes me LOVE minnesota winter 
I think back 1 year ago when we were in the process of building Bubbly Paws and I was helping the construction guys bring stuff in and how cold your hands would get even if you had gloves on! Even Roxy would get cold when it was -30 outside. Now, fast forward to this winter.. PERFECT! Today when it started snowing we took Roxy to the dog park. She loved running in the fresh dusting of snow. When we left, she found a stick that she wanted to carry all the way back to the car. When we got to the car, she would not get in because she wanted to chew it. OK, so there ya go.. This whole blog post had very little to do with the dog wash, but heck, it was entertaining…. I hope!
We have something really cool we have been working on, and if all goes well, we will let everyone know what it is on Monday
Have a good night!
Keith
New Years
Roxy and Max got to hang out while we were working.
What a year! It has been so much fun for Trycia and myself to watch Bubbly Paws Dog Wash take off and become what it is today! Over the last 8 months since we opened, we have met some really great customers!
Today, the dog wash was closed, but that does not mean that we were not there. Sometimes it is easier to do projects when we are closed… So Trycia and I spent a few hours there today cleaning and updating a few things. We want to keep this place looking like it is brand new, and do everything we can to make it happen. This weekend we were also dog-sitting Max, who is the Bubbly Paws poster dog. We brought him and Roxy to help with some projects (the mostly ate bones).
Hope everyone had a great new years and we look forward to serving you in 2012. We can’t thank everyone enough!!
Keith
KARE 11
KARE 11 News did a story about businesses that are slow, because of the warm weather… The stopped in to see how things were going at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash.
Winter Workouts
Winter is officially here, and although there isn’t the usual snow on the ground, it’s cold outside. Last week, the Climate Prediction Center released an updated winter outlook for December, January, and February, predicting below average temperatures and a good chance of a wetter than average snow season for Minnesota. So, that means the days are short, the cold is here for a while, and the snow is coming—-perhaps with a vengeance.
The hibernation that comes with winter can make us feel cooped up with cabin fever. For our canine friends, we must make the extra effort to help them expend their energy so they can be well-behaved. Below are a few ideas that may help.
- Make the most out of each walk.In order to help Leo burn more energy while
Leo in his weight vest.
on our shorter winter walks, he wears a vest with two side pockets—a weight vest of sorts. In each pocket, I add bean-bag weights in half-pound increments, up to ten percent of his body weight. For Leo, that’s a total of three pounds. This helps him burn extra energy, even though our walks are shorter. (Leo’s vet confirmed that this was safe. The key is to make sure the vest fits properly so there is no rubbing or slipping.)
- Let ’em play! A day of play each week at doggy day care, like Pampered Pooch Playground, can leave your dog tired and well-behaved for an extra day. This also helps take some of the pressure off of you to be the only source of physical and mental exercise.
- Mental workouts are just as important as physical workouts. Training classes, such as agility training at The Canine Coach, are a great way to socialize, exercise, and challenge your dog.
- Socialize with your dog at Dog Days at the Dome. The Metrodome is open for doggy fun and socializing from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, Tuesday, January 31, Thursday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 28. It’s just $5 per dog (with up to two people), and free parking is available.
- Go to a dog park—indoors! Have you heard about Ruff House, the Canine Social Club in Edina? There are five membership options to fit your schedule. The most flexible options include access 24/7.
What do you do to help manage your dog’s energy during winter? We’d love to hear from you.
*** Blog post by Birgitta who is a Pampered Pooch Playground customer. Read more about her by clicking here. ***
A fun dog wash reunion
A big Bubbly Paws Dog Wash “Thank You” to everyone that stopped out this morning to meet Staci Matthews and her dog Humphrey. Staci is from the Moon and Staci show on KS95. What many of you might not know, is that I produced their show for 4 years and Staci is a good friend of mine and was a large part of our wedding. Humphrey also comes to our doggy daycare and is such a sweet little man. So while Staci did her appearance at the dog wash, Teresa from the KS95 promotions staff and I chatted about the old days. It was great to see so many people stopping out to meet humphrey! He is such a sweet puppy, and he even got a great new sweater today!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Keith
Roxy gets FURminated
We love to use the FURminator on Roxy as it really helps with her shedding….. Did you know it works wonders on short haired dogs as well? The FURminator brush, shampoo and conditioner are available as an upgrade to any of our grooming or bath packages.
Patch.com – Meet Keith and Trycia
Patch.com stopped out to our other business, Pampered Pooch Playground to learn more about how it works… Meet Keith and Trycia, and there is a small mention of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash on there as well Click Here to read the article.
Saturday, May 26th – The Fast and the Furry 8K and 5K9
Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws Dog Wash are proud to present the 1st annual Home For Life Rescue - The Fast and the Furry 8K and 5K9 at Harriet Island on Saturday, May 26th 2012. Click Here for more information and to register.
KARE 11 – Toys for Tots Drop Off
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and the rest of the stores at Excelsior and Grand stopped out to KARE 11 and dropped off a bunch of toys for Toys for Tots! Don’t blink, or you will miss it!! Keith’s jacket (the green arm on the left of the screen) is the only part of the Bubbly Paws family that was shown. We think his jacket is pretty cool
Drivers Ed by Bubbly Paws
Warning.. Here I go on a tangent that has very little to do with the dog wash! In the last 3 weeks, I have seen about 7 cars going the wrong way at the roundabout right outside our window at Excelsior and Grand. I also see people stopping and getting confused with this simple concept (keep right). So I figured it would be a good idea to help educate everyone how to properly use a roundabout. I found a great website with very detailed directions. Chances are that since you are reading this, you probably know how to properly use one, but feel free to share this link with friends
Have a good day!
Winter Dog Tips
We just posted this on our sister business, Pampered Pooch Playground‘s page, and thought our Bubbly Paws Dog Wash friends should see it as well.
Keith
—
Hello, everyone. I’m excited to be a new part of the Pampered Pooch Playground team. Several times a month, I will be here, talking about one of my favorite topics—my first baby (I mean dog), Leo. Granted, my Goldendoodle may not be your favorite pet, but I’ll bet that all of us can agree that we love and want the best for our dogs. With that in mind, my ultimate goal is to help build community among the parents of the pooches of the PPP and to help make this a place where we can share information and advice about caring for our canine friends.
Who am I? I am an enthusiastic fan and loyal customer of Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws. My name is Birgitta Hughes, and as I mentioned, I am the proud “mom” of my dog, Leo. He is sweet, fun, and will be two in February. 
My husband, Allen, who has a passion for brushing our doodle every night, and I have been married over five years, and we have a nine-month-old son, Rhys (pronounced Reese). We moved to the Twin Cities from Boston over two years ago for my husband’s job at Best Buy headquarters. Before Boston, I was born and raised in California. In case you were wondering, I really like it here—even the winters! I love how active people are, regardless of the season. And truly, this is a beautiful place to live.
As the temperature drops and the snow comes, it’s time to start thinking about winter gear for Leo. I bought my first winter coat just four years ago, so all things winter remain new to me. Last year Leo loved the snow! Running through the snow and sticking his nose into it were two of his favorite activities. Because he enjoyed being outside so much, we bought booties to protect his paws from the elements. It took him a little while to get used to walking with them, but ultimately he adapted and was able to walk in a normal manner.
Booties worked for Leo last year, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything as we prepare for the winter months ahead. After checking with Leo’s vet at Glen Lake Animal Hospital and Roxy’s (Keith and Trycia’s dog) vet at Lake Harriet Veterinary, I learned that we must be extra diligent about checking the state of our dog’s paws after each walk. Salt, melting solvents, and snow accumulation between doggy toes can cause cracking of the skin. Each time you come in from a walk, clean out the snow that is stuck between your dog’s toes to limit any irritation. If you enjoy walking your dog during the winter and your dog can handle them, booties are an excellent solution. In fact, Bubbly Paws offers some great booties in a variety of styles and range of sizes.
Before I leave you today, I’d like to share a little video of the first time Leo wore his booties. After a couple times, he got the hang of it, and we enjoyed many walks with him in his “pawtectors.” Hopefully, he’ll get the hang of it again this year, too.
How do you protect your dog from the winter elements? We’d love to hear your ideas and advice!
NYC Weekend
We had to stop and pet all of the dogs when walking down the streets in New York.
This weekend, Trycia and I headed to New York. We have starting doing this every December and had lots of fun there. As strange as it sounds, we always get excited when we see a dog walking down the streets. It makes us miss Roxy! We checked out a few of the pet boutiques as well. When we go out of town, we always worry about how things are going at the dog wash (call us over-protective owners). Kayla our manager always keeps things running smoothly! Hope everyone had a great weekend! When we got home, Roxy had lots of fun in the snow!
Keith
Christmas Tree Shopping
We love taking Roxy with us everywhere we go, and when the weather starts getting colder, we are more limited with the locations she can go…. Today we took her to the Linden Hills Christmas tree lot. She loved walking up and down the rows of trees and helped us to pick out the perfect tree for our house. This is the 3rd year we have gone to this lot (right across from Turtle Bread). On a side note, the same construction company that built the dog wash, also remodeled Turtle Bread, and we had a few of our meetings there when the construction was going on. I might note, that they have an amazing grilled cheese!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Keith
Checking out the competition
This past weekend I was in Chicago visiting the family and catching up with friends. One of my good high school friends owns a doggy daycare in the Chicago area (who would have thought that we would both be in the same line of work). I went to lunch on Saturday with her at my favorite burger place and we talked about the the businesses and the items we sell. She said I should check out a new pet boutique in the area, so I did… I loved it and the owner is super nice. I mentioned we owned a doggy daycare and dog wash in Minneapolis and we were swapping our favorite brands of collars. I could not leave their store without buying my brothers dog a new collar and leash set. Hopefully they like it (we will be carrying that brand very soon).
So I guess the subject of this blog post is not totally fitting, as this place is more than 355 miles away from Bubbly Paws, but we like to keep up on the latest trends and what is new.
Have a good night.
Keith
Roxy, the rule breaker!
This morning, Trycia, Kayla and I were at the Rosedale Mall for the Karen Nueberger PJ’s and Paws Dog Walk. We were there painting nails (dog nails, not people nails) and having fun with all of the dogs that came out. They had a “cutest dog” contest and it was great to see all the dogs with painted nails. After the contest, I think Roxy got really excited, she pulled her way into the fake snow around their christmas display and just sat in it. She loves snow and I guess now she loves fake snow!
Have a great weekend!
Keith
Dog Park Dirty!
I stopped out to the Dog Wash this afternoon to drop off some new sweaters and doggy holiday gifts… This big dog walks in and looks like a dalmation mix… Then I really started to look at the dog and realized it was Linus who comes to our doggy daycare, and he was all muddy from the dog park! HA! Seriously, he must have had a good time because he looked like he got into a fight with a mud puddle!
Make sure you swing into Bubbly Paws and check out our growing collection of sweaters and jackets!
Have a good night!
Keith
Roxy’s Sleepover
Wow, the cooler weather is finally here and we have lots of sweaters and jackets to keep the dogs warm. If your pooch wears clothing, make sure to brush them out, because hair mats very quickly. We also sell a great product the can help to remove mats. I mention this because Gracie has a great collection of fall gear!
This week Gracie who belongs to Sarah or Sarah Beth Photography is sleeping over at our house. Roxy really likes to have her friends sleepover.
Have a great night.
Keith
Twin Cities Live
Our Good Friends at Twin Cities Live stopped out to the dog wash to get the scoop on the latest fall fashions and the Puppy Locks.
Bacon goes to the dog park
Bacon (the French Bulldog) is one of our regular dogs at the dog wash and he LOVES going to the dog park. Bacon will often come in for a bath covered in mud and dirt from playing hard with all the dogs. His parents just sent us some pictures taken by Go Dog Photos at the Minnehaha Dog Park. They captured Bacon right before he stopped in for a bath! This is exactly why we designed the dog wash…. For the dirty, messy and muddy dogs We love getting these before pictures, so feel free to send or post them to our Facebook page at anytime!
Why a dog wash?
Why do you need to take your pooch to a dog wash, rather than doing a bath in the tub at home? This video should explain why…
Fun @ Apple
Thanks to Barkley's Bistro for the use of this picture... I was bad about taking pictures tonight...
Tonight was a exciting night. As many of you know I am a huge fan of Apple products and I was asked to talk with other pet businesses at an event at the Apple Store in Uptown. I talked with many people about how we use social media to grow and connect with our business. One topic of conversation that often came up was.. “what are biggest social media mistakes”… So I decided I would post my 3 top pet peeves about business pages on Facebook.
- It annoys me when a business page comments on other businesses or personal pages as the business.. For example Bubbly Paws comments on a post on Best Buy’s wall as Bubbly Paws. It just bothers me… Not sure why!
- Pages that beg for fans… If you do social media correctly, and run a great business, the fans will come.
- Business pages that have really long names and example would be “Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa in Minneapolis”. This is why we just registered “Bubbly Paws”
By no means am I a Facebook expert, but I like to play one on tv! Ha!
There were lots of our friends there, and we made lots of new ones!
Have a great night!
Keith
KARE 11 Morning News
Keith and Trycia (the co-owners of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash) went to the KARE 11 news to show of some doggy halloween costumes and promote the 2011 Woof-n-Treat dog Halloween party and costume contest. Thanks to Bone Adventure, Target and Fugly Friends for the costumes.
Are we a franchise?
Remy is a regular face at our doggy daycare, and today he was at the dog wash getting all fresh and clean!
Today I was at the dog wash and I can honestly say, I LOVE WORKING THERE! How many people can say that about their job? As an owner of the dog wash and our doggy daycare, I could find other things to do with my free time, but I really love working at the dog wash and talking with everyone. One of the most common questions I get is “are you guys a franchise”…. NO!! I am not a huge fan of franchised businesses because you never know what the type of quality will be passed along. I asked one person why they thought we were a franchise and they said “It is always so nice, clean, and well organized”… I quickly responded “mom and pop” can do all of that.
Hope everyone has a good night!
Keith
Flippin’ Cups For The Pups – Recap
A good part of our business model is to give back to the dog community where we are located. This past summer, I was talking with Rachel who runs Secondhand Hounds, and she was tossing around the idea of a flip cup tournament. I instantly said that we wanted to sponsor it! The ball was rolling…. THen Trycia (my wife and co-owner of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash), decided she wanted to go to Italy for our 5 year wedding anniversary, so we booked the trip. Who would have thought that the flip cup tournament would be the day we got back? So unfortunately we were so jet-lagged that we did not make it out to this great game! I know they will be doing it again, and we will for sure be part of it. Everyone that was there said it was a great time! We love being part of these events and giving back!
Keith
I Don’t Care About Football
Dog’s don’t care to watch football on TV, so why should the owners? Stop in to Bubbly Paws Dog Wash anytime the Minnesota Vikings are playing and save $5 on any Self Service Dog Wash… Remember, once the game is over, the special is over. This can not be combined with any other offers or promotions.
To get the special offer, mention the “I don’t care about football” special when you are checking out.
To help you out, we have posted the Minnesota Vikings Schedule Below:
Sun, Oct 2nd, 2011 – Kansas_City – noon
Sun, Oct 9th, 2011 – Arizona – noon
Sun, Oct 16th, 2011 – Chicago – 7:20 PM **
Sun, Oct 23rd, 2011 – Green Bay – 3:15 PM
Sun, Oct 30th, 2011 – Carolina – noon
Mon, Nov 14th, 2011 – Green_Bay – 7:30 PM **
Sun, Nov 20th, 2011 – Oakland – noon
Sun, Nov 27th, 2011 – Atlanta – noon
Sun, Dec 4th, 2011 – Denver – 3:05 PM
Sun, Dec 11th, 2011 – Detroit – noon
Sun, Dec 18th, 2011 – New_Orleans – noon
Sat, Dec 24th, 2011 – Washington – noon
Sun, Jan 1st, 2012 – Chicago – noon (CLOSED)
** THIS IS A LATE GAME, AND PAST OUR REGULAR HOURS, SO THE OFFER IS NOT VALID, SORRY **
Woody’s Pet Food
The one thing I like about our dog wash is that we are a small family business. Since we are a small business, we really enjoy supporting other small local businesses. Yesterday I stopped into Woody’s Pet Food Deli to get Roxy more food. Did I mention that she LOVES her food from Woody’s? I enjoy going there because they always have the sweetest dogs that come up to greet you!
Have a good night!
Keith
Gwen Stefani?
It might be kinda lame or cheesy, but I thought it was kinda funny! We all know how huskies LOVE to talk. Last week I stopped into the dog wash in the afternoon and Dublin the Husky puppy was getting a bath and was super “chatty”. Dublin is super cute and I thought of him when I saw this video.
Enjoy
Roxy’s Weekend Adventure
Ava takes Roxy for a walk in Wisconsin.
Sometimes I forget that there are not self-service dog washes all around the country. This weekend we are in Wisconsin visiting Trycia’s family and all the the kids love Roxy. We really wanted to get Roxy some of the doggy ice cream that we sell at Bubbly Paws, but there are only the big box pet stores around here and they don’t sell it (plus owning a small business, we like to support other small businesses). Roxy loves going to her “grandmothers house” because she gets lots of leftover food and treats. Hope everyone has a good weekend!
Keith
Twin Cities Live
Emily Engberg form Twin Cities Live stopped out to check out Bubbly Paws Dog Wash with her dog Sammy.
Waffles Mom
We love when we can promote things that our friends have done… Today the latest Oxygen Magazine has come out and Waffles mom was on the cover! You might remember Waffles from this video! It is not everyday when you know a cover model! Waffles mom is also our personal trainer and her studio is just a few blocks from Bubbly Paws Dog Wash in St Louis Park.
I know this post had nothing to do with the dog wash, but I am really excited for her!
Keith
Roxy’s Gelato Trip
Tonight Roxy had a photo shoot with Lucky Mutt Photography for an upcoming project. After the shoot was over, Trycia wanted to try out the new Pandolfi Gelato shop at 50th and France in Edina. So we drove over there and their place is really nice. They saw me standing outside with Roxy trying to see what gelato flavors they had, and they said I could come in with Roxy and see what they had. They were super nice and the Gelato was awesome. Next time you are near 50th and France I suggest checking them out!
Have a good night!
Keith
Random Bubbly Paws Facts
Another random fact. Sometimes after a grooming appointment, we let the dogs hang out behind the desk! Steve really liked that!
A rescue was asking for some random facts about Bubbly Paws Dogs Wash… I thought I would share them…
- The slogan of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash “Our Soap Is Dope” was created over a text message conversation with Sarah Beth Photography while we were at Pizzeria Lola (super dog friendly) eating and drinking.
- Before opening Pampered Pooch Playground (our first dog business) Keith worked in radio for 11 years (chicago, des moines, cincinnati and minneapolis). He produced the Moon and Staci show on KS95 for 4 years. Both Moon and Staci were in our wedding party.
- The base shampoo is made by Topline Canine, local company and our doggy daycare was the first place to use it!
- The idea for Bubbly Paws Dog Wash came from a customer of Pampered Pooch Playground who complained that there was no place where he could bathe his dog.
- A large part of the Pampered Pooch Playground and Bubbly Paws business model is to give back to local dog rescues!
The Bulldog Pool
We were watching the KARE 11 news last night and they featured this clip of 2 bulldogs bringing a baby pool into their house. We kept laughing at it, so I went on youtube to find the full length clip. I hope you like it as much as we did!
First time at Bubbly Paws
This weekend Trycia’s family was in town and this was their first trip to Bubbly Paws Dog Wash! They were really excited to see how it turned out and how much fun it is! They really loved meeting all of the dogs that we in getting a bath!
After the trip to Bubbly Paws, we took a short stroll down the street and stopped at Starbucks.. To say that they LOVE Starbucks would be an understatement. Now before you start yelling, all the drinks were caffeine free!
Trycia’s mom was really impressed with the city of Minneapolis and how dog friendly it is!! Maybe they can help convert their city in Wisconsin to a super dog friendly city!!
On a side note… Thanks to the whole staff at the Excelsior and Grand Starbucks.. They are the friendliest crew in the business, and know how to keep us going!!
Lulu gets a bath
Today I had lots of fun doing some of the Full Service dog baths. I actually really love doing baths! When Lulu the doodle came in, I started talking with her mom, and somehow we figured out that her dad knows my mom who lives in Chicago! What a crazy small world it is. Once we got all of the chit-chat out of the way, I gave Lulu her bath and sent her home all fresh and clean!
It was a great day at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash!
Keith
Indie – Available for Adoption
One of our really good friends, Matt and Amber called me tonight and asked for a favor. They just rescued a beautiful dog that was 5 minutes away from being put down at a shelter. They paid the vet bills, and to transport it from the south to Minneapolis and they really wanted to give him a self service bath so he was all fresh and clean for when he went to his new foster home. I met them at the dog wash around 8pm tonight, and got to meet Indie, who is the sweetest Boxer/bulldog mix you will ever meet. The fist thing he did when he saw me was to give me a huge kiss. He is a HUGE lover and is a super sweet dog. Once he was done with the bath, i started petting him and he kept trying to give kisses. He is going to make a great pet!! Indie is being fostered through Gemini Rescue. Amber and Matt also own Modern Life Photo and you can see some of their work right outside our grooming room.
Roxy’s July 4th Weekend
This past weekend we took Roxy with us while we visited Trycia’s family in Wisconsin for the 4th of July! The first stop was at a cabin, where we tried and tried to get Roxy to swim. She has never been much of a swimmer, but she loves to wade in the water and lay down. So we put her doggie lifejacket on her (thanks to the wonderful selection at Bone Adventure), and kept taking her out a little bit farther. After many tries, we decided she is a land loving pooch!
Then later, we stopped at Trycia’s sisters house, and one of the first things she asked us was…. Can you get me another Stunt Puppy collar and some more of that awesome Topline Shampoo! Today, I packed up a nice care package of shampoo and a new collar for Roman their black lab and shipped it to them!
After a few more days, we came back, and Roxy was pretty stinky! So she got a bath today at the dog wash! Now she is smelling great!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!
Keith
KSTP – Channel 5
Friday night, a camera crew from KSTP, Channel 5 was looking for a locally owned business that was setting up for the Twin Cities Pride Festival… Watch closely and you will see Bubbly Paws and Keith.
Top 50 boy dog names
We are doing a contest on our Facebook page to guess one of the top 50 male dog names. The names are below.
1. Max
2. Buddy
3. Rocky
4. Bailey
5. Jake
6. Charlie
7. Jack
8. Toby
9. Cody
10. Buster
11. Duke
12. Cooper
13. Riley
14. Harley
15. Bear
16. Tucker
17. Murphy
18. Lucky
19. Oliver
20. Sam
21. Oscar
22. Teddy
23. Winston
24. Sammy
25. Rusty
26. Shadow
27. Gizmo
28. Bentley
29. Zeus
30. Jackson
31. Baxter
32. Bandit
33. Gus
34. Samson
35. Milo
36. Rudy
37. Louie
38. Hunter
39. Casey
40. Rocco
41. Sparky
42. Joey
43. Bruno
44. Beau
45. Dakota
46. Maximus
47. Romeo
48. Boomer
49. Luke
50. Henry
At Home Dog Wash
Here is just another reason why it is easier to do a self-service bath at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash, rather than doing it at home!
Bubble Bath Party
A big thanks to everyone that came out to our first Bubbly Paws – Bubble Bath Party which was a fundraiser for Secondhand Hounds. Amber from Modern Life Photo was there snapping pictures of all the fun (view the pictures and read her blog post). Jenna from the Rovernight Network provided lots of yummy treats and lots of doggy fun! What a great time, we know we will be doing this again soon! $10 from each of the baths was donated to Secondhand Hounds!!
Below is a list of the Raffle Prize Winners (all the winners have been called):
Bubbly Paws Gift Basket – Justin
Rovernight Network dog bowl package – Mary
Modern Life Photo gift card – Gearhart
Pink dog outfit – Michelle
Red dog jacket – Kasia
White/Pink dog dress – Gearhart
Doggy Froyo – Justin
Doggy Froyo – Lisa
Top 100 girl dog names
Today on our Facebook page we gave away a prize to a person that picked one of the most popular girl dog names. We wrote one on a piece of paper… Everyone wanted to know what the top names were… The list is below.
1 MOLLY
2 BELLA
3 LUCY
4 MAGGIE
5 DAISY
6 SADIE
7 CHLOE
8 SOPHIE
9 BAILEY
10 ZOE
11 LOLA
12 ABBY
13 GINGER
14 ROXY
15 GRACIE
16 COCO
17 SASHA
18 ANGEL
19 LILY
20 PRINCESS
21 EMMA
22 ROSIE
23 LADY
24 ANNIE
25 RUBY
26 MISSY
27 KATIE
28 MIA
29 MADISON
30 ZOEY
31 CASEY
32 LILLY
33 PENNY
34 BELLE
35 SAMANTHA
36 BRANDY
37 HOLLY
38 SANDY
39 JASMINE
40 STELLA
41 LEXI
42 SHELBY
43 ROXIE
44 PEPPER
45 HEIDI
46 LULU
47 MISTY
48 HONEY
49 MADDIE
50 SASSY
51 DIXIE
52 DAKOTA
53 PRECIOUS
54 SYDNEY
55 LUNA
56 COOKIE
57 HANNAH
58 SHADOW
59 SUGAR
60 PHOEBE
61 NIKKI
62 AMBER
63 MAYA
64 CASSIE
65 RILEY
66 MOCHA
67 CHELSEA
68 BABY
69 NALA
70 PEBBLE
71 ELLIE
72 MANDY
73 JESSIE
74 CLEO
75 TRIXIE
76 SIERRA
77 LUCKY
78 HARLEY
79 COCOA
80 ISABELLA
81 MILLIE
82 CALLIE
83 MINNIE
84 PEANUT
85 ABBEY
86 SHEBA
87 BONNIE
88 GIGI
89 SCOUT
90 LIBBY
91 LACEY
92 TASHA
93 PIPER
94 SOPHIA
95 MUFFIN
96 CALI
97 MORGAN
98 HALEY
99 LEXIE
100 XENA
Maddie’s New Collar
Our dog wash employees are allowed to bring their dogs to work with them and we feel like they are all part of the Bubbly Paws family. You will often see Maddie hanging out and playing with her collection of toys while her mom, Sarah works the front desk. Maddie is just a puppy and is getting huge! Today she was rockin’ her new Stunt Puppy Collar. Did you know that Stunt Puppy is a Minneapolis based company and one of the owners is a good friend of ours?
Have a good night!
Keith
Kinnick
Many of our regular customers know the “worlds largest” Bernese Mountain Dog. Kinnick, can often be seen walking around Excelsior and Grand, and he always pulls his owner into Bubbly Paws Dog Wash for a treat or some doggy ice cream! Kinnick is such a lover who knows how to get attention. We keep joking that we should hire Kinnick to be the Bubbly Paws spokes dog! You will always know it is Kinnick when you see his big ‘fro!
Wine and Wag
Eloise was rockin' out at Wine and Wag in Minneapolis!
What a great time we had last night at the K9-Connection’s Wine and Wag which was a fundraiser for Homeward Bound rescue. There were lots of our pet industry friends at the event and all of the dogs LOVED the bubbles we had at our table.
Make sure to keep watching our events page to stay updated on all the coolest dog events in the Twin Cities.
Have a great day!
Keith
Deltal Care Kits Are Back
When we first opened the dog wash, we had a bunch of the dental care kits in stock and I was shocked at how fast they sold. Now we have a bunch more in stock and ready to go! Many people forget that it is important to brush their dogs teeth on a regular basis. One of our friends just had to take their dog to the vet and have 3 teeth pulled because of the lack of oral care. Toothbrushes are free with all self service baths and tooth brushing is included with full service baths and spa services.
Have a great day!
Keith
Photo Shoot and Memorial Day
Last week on our blog we talked about Roxy going to the Apple Store in Uptown Minneapolis. Sarah Beth Photography just sent us the link to the pictures she took. I wanted to share one on my favorites.
Earlier this week we emailed everyone on our list and talked about our “Labor Day Hours”… OOPS.. I was a few months off, and should have put “Memorial Day Hours”. Bubbly Paws will be open from 10-5 this Monday. So stop in with your dirty pooch on the way back form the cabin for a self-service bath.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Keith
Help Minneapolis Tornado Dogs
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash has teamed up with The Pet Project to help residents of North Minneapolis who were impacted by the recent tornadoes. The pet Project will be providing food and low cost vet care to dogs and families in need. Food can be donated at Pampered Pooch Playground or Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and monatary donations can be made on the Pet Project’s website. Thanks so much for all of your help!
Roxy’s Visit to the Apple Store
As some of you might know, I am a pretty big supporter of Apple! Tonight there was a pet event at the Apple Store in Minneapolis (uptown). The Apple Store is always dog friendly, but it was pretty cool to see 30 dogs all behaved and having fun there! Our friends from Sidewalk Dog gave a preview of their new website, and Sarah Beth Photography talked about how she edits photos on a Mac. Fun times and awesome dog treats! Roxy loved it.. This is the 4th time Roxy has visited the store and she loves all of the attention she gets.
Oh, and a shout out to Ben who works there.. He saw that I checked into another apple store on Facebook 2 weeks ago and called me out on it.. I feel like such a cheater!!
Have a good night!
Keith
Where It Blooms
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa was just featured on the Where It Blooms blog. Beth stopped in with her pooch Pacer and decided to write a blog post about it. Read the blog post by going to the Where It Blooms website.
Thanks Sarah
Pax is modeling the new Bubbly Paws Dog Wash t-shirts!
About 3 weeks ago, Trycia and were having dinner at Pizzeria Lola and sent a text message to our photographer friend, Sara Beth. The text said “have any cool ideas for a slogan for the Dog Wash“. About 5 minutes later, I got a text back with a few slogans, and there was one that Trycia and I kept laughing at….. “Our soap is dope!”… So it suck.. All through dinner we kept laughing at it..
Then later in the day, we asked Sarah to help design the shirts, and she thought we were kidding and mocked up some super cheesy design with a bar of soap in it.. We finally told her we were 100% serious and she came up with the real look!!
Thanks Sarah Beth Photography for a kick butt slogan!
Random note about Pizzeria Lola… We go there about once a month for dinner, they have a great outside dog friendly patio with a treat bar! They played a huge part in our new slogan, and they had no idea they even helped… All they did was provide yummy pizza and cold beer!
Have a good night!
Fun day at the dog wash
What a fun day at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash today! The day started when I walked in to Sonja (in the picture) getting a self service bath! She is one of the dogs that comes to daycare, and it was great to see her getting all nice and clean! Then the fun of the Excelsior and Grand block party started! Lots and lots of people came out to see the fun. We had a bunch of dogs available for adoption from Metropolitan Mutts and Becky from Lucky Mutt Photography was there snapping lots of pictures.
What a great day and there were so many happy dogs
Keith
Coyotes in the Twin Cities
We were watching the FOX 9 news tonight and saw this story about a coyote in Edina. I just thought we should pass it along so you can make sure to keep your dog safe and sound.
Edina to Confront Coyotes after Dog Attacked: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
From FOX 9 – EDINA, Minn. – Coyote sightings have been reported across the metro, but now an Edina dog is recovering after being attacked in broad daylight on a resident’s patio and the city is talking about cracking down.
On both sides of her body, Becky Bennett’s dog, Smokey, bears the marks of being in the jaws of a coyote.
“They x-rayed her. She didn’t have any broken bones, which is fortunate,” said Bennett.
Bennett’s house backs up to a part of the city that attracts a lot of wildlife, but that’s not where the attack happened. In fact, she said if Smokey had been bitten closer to the pond, it would be a different story.
Instead, her dog was attacked in broad daylight on her patio by a coyote she has seen frequently lately and taken pictures of.
The last time Bennett saw the coyote was on Easter Sunday.
“It was laying out in that marshy area. We were all up on the deck watching it, and itstead of running away, he came up to the house,” she recalled.
The DNR says that coyotes are in every suburb and often go unseen; although, some will grow more bold.
Yet, residents of Edina said they are concerned that the population is growing and Bennett said she hopes the city will thin the pack. If not, she hopes they will at least work to kill the coyote that no longer seems to be intimidated by humans.
Walk for the Animals – Recap
River was very popular at the walk for the animals!
Bubbly Paws dog wash got lots of attention at the Walk for the Animals yesterday. With all of the rain and mud along the walk, Bubbly Paws was often talked about as a great place to go after the walk to clean the dogs. We put together our own team for the walk, and it was great to see so many dedicated people from our team walking in the rain! There were so many great animals at the walk, my personal favorite was the goat! Bubbly Paws Dog Wash will be part of this great event for years to come, hopefully next year it is not as rainy!
Have a good day!
Keith
Our April fundraiser is almost over!
For the month of April we have decided to help Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue raise money. If you make a monetary donation 100% goes directly to Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue and you will also save $5 off a self service dog wash! Hurry, April is almost over and our donation box is getting pretty full!
See you soon!
Keith
Roxy’s Day of Fun
Roxy loves going to her dog friendly hardware store in Minneapolis!
As some of you may know, Trycia and I have been working hard putting together our new house (we have been living in the Linden Hills area of Minneapolis and we moved down the street because Roxy needed a bigger yard to play in). With moving, comes lots of projects around the house and I am so glad that we live down the street from a dog friendly hardware store. Not only are there shop dogs (Jager and Odis), but they allow you to bring your own dog in. Just incase you were unsure if they allow dogs, there is a big Dog Friendly sticker in the window from Sidewalk Dog. After the hardware store, it was off to Woody’s Pet Food Deli for more food. Roxy loves going there as well because we always get a few bones for her to chew on. It was a big day of going to some of her favorite places. I was also at the dog wash this morning and it was great to see so many people there!
Have a great weekend!
Keith
Trixie goes to the Dog Wash
Trixie plays under the baby gate, while Marley looks on.
This weekend we are having one of our friends dogs sleep over at our house and I brought her to the dog wash while I was working! Trixie the pug had lots of fun greeting everyone, but I think she had the most fun crawling under the baby gate that is behind the front desk. It was a pretty fun day today, we had 3 golden retrievers (in a row) come in for baths. How crazy is that?
Have a good night.
Keith
Out to dinner in Linden Hills
We live in the Linden Hills area and absolutely love going out to eat in our neighborhood. Since we own 2 small businesses, we really try to support other small businesses! Yesterday was my birthday and we really wanted to try the new restaurant that opened, Tilia. We were quickly greeted at the door by the owners dog, Gnat. What a sweet dog that LOVES attention! This restaurant is now one of my favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities! Stop on in and say hi to Gnat and grab a cold beer (they have a bunch of microbrews on tap, I strongly suggest “Sweet Child of Vine”, by Fulton Brewing).
Have a great night!
Keith
Green Poop Bags
We just added bio-degradable poop bags to our line of goodies we sell in the lobby! These are the same bags that we use at our doggy daycare and they break down at the speed of an apple in a landfill. These bags were just featured on Oprah, and the boxes are made in Minneapolis. How cool!
Have a good day and see you at the dog wash!
Keith
What a nice day!
Today was a great day! Trycia and I were at the Dog Wash getting some little projects done, and then we left around 3 and took Roxy on a long walk around Lake Harriet. Roxy LOVES walking around the Minneapolis lakes… We got about 1/2 way around the lake and then she decided she wanted to go lay in the water. We let her, and then quickly decided that we would need to take her to Bubbly Paws for a quick wash. We love living so close to the lake that we can walk around it all the time. If you see us out walking, stop and say hey!
I hope everyone is getting out to enjoy this wonderful weather.
Keith
Armani
Last Friday we had a true Rockstar come in to get groomed at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash. Armani is a popular pooch at OPM (located 1 store away from Bubbly Paws) and can often be see walking around greeting customers. Now Armani has a new haircut and looks great! Our groomer said that he was a great dog to groom!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Keith
Dog Wash Gift Cards
Looking for the perfect gift? We now have Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa gift cards! You can stop in or call us to purchase a gift card and we will even mail them for you! Gift cards can be used for any of our services or retail items! The cards work just like a Target or Best Buy gift card and each purchase will be deducted from the balance.
Have a great day!
Keith
Candles, Candles and More Candles
All of us at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash are big fans of these pet odor removing candles!! One of our good friends LOVES these candles so much that she wanted us to special order and entire case of candles just for her! When we placed her order, we also get a few new scents. Check them out, and we know you will fall in love with them!
Have a great day!
Keith
The April Fundraiser
A Large part of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is to give back to the community in which we are located. For the month of April we have teamed up with Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue to help raise funds for all of the dogs in need. Karen from Red Lake Rosie’s was just featured on KARE 11 and you can watch the segment below. Karen and all of the volunteers at Red Lake Rosie’s work countless hours to help as many dogs as possible. Bubbly Paws will be matching a portion of the donations received.
They are also looking for new or used dog items which can be dropped off at the dog wash and you can receive the $5 discount!. Some of the suggested items are listed below:
topical flea and tick like frontline
Kitty Litter
new tools like shovels, rakes, pooper scoopers (metal- not plastic)
5 quart heavy black rubber pails
stainless 4 quart steel pails
scissors
zip ties
stainless steal dishes
bleach
laundry detergent
paper towels
cleaning agents like clorox spray
Dishwashing liquid
Wet dog in the tub
I can honestly say, I LOVE being a business owner and talking with customers. Today Bubbly Paws Dog Wash was buzzing with customers, Cyndi our dog groomer was working hard and everything was running very smooth and everyone was in the mood to chat. Nala the Wheaton came in for a bath and was so behaved while she was getting her bath. Way to go Nala!
Hope everyone has a great night!
Keith
Minneapolis Picks
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa was just featured on the Minneapolis Picks website and you can read the article below.
Spring-clean Your Pooch!
We’re picky about many things: clothes, boys, what’s for dinner. One thing we’re not picky about? Bushy tails and the type of dog that wags them. We’re suckers for the furry set. We’ll gladly canoodle with a Poodle or snuggle with a Puggle. For us, there’s only one tiny doggy deal-breaker: stinky fur.
Bubbly Paws is the answer to this dilemma. One step into this brand new self-service puppy launderette and dog-stink practically evaporates. From Topline products to rid Fido of his funk, aprons to keep sudsing owners dry, non-slip tubs for wet paws and a professional drying system to fluff Spot’s fur, bath time becomes fun time for four- and two-legged visitors alike. No fur-clogged drains, no watery messes and no more stinky fur. Just don’t forget to pick up a reward for your well-behaved buddy from the doggie treat bar!
For owners who prefer to hand off bath-time duty, Bubbly Paws also offers full professional doggy spa services, from simple baths to complete grooming. Cuddling with a canine just became a whole lot sweeter (smelling)! Now through April 4, mention Minneapolis Picks and get $5 off your pup’s wash!
Bubbly Paws
3730 Grand Way
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952.657.5300
www.bubblypaws.com
Ahnung goes to the dog spa
One of our favorite rescue dogs came in to visit the Bubbly Paws Dog Spa. Cyndi our groomer did a great job making Ahnung look her best! Ahnung is going to be be featured on KARE 11 today talking about our fundraising that Bubbly Paws Dog Wash will be doing starting April 1st. We will let everyone know all the details very soon! Ahnung and her mom were really happy with how her Spa and Grooming day went and she mentioned Bubbly Paws Dog Wash on her blog.
Have a great day!
Keith
Battle of the Nubs
I know we always mention that we like to be very active in the community and have a great relationship with many of the pet rescues. Today at the Park Tavern in St Louis Park is the “Battle of the Nubs” between the Boxer Rescue and the Doberman Rescue…. Anyone going to this great event will have the chance to win 2 Bubbly Paws gift baskets, with a nice gift card inside! Enjoy!
Have a good weekend!
Keith
Why Lincoln Bark Treats?
Everyone that stops into Bubbly Paws Dog Wash always makes a comment about the Lincoln Bark treats that we sell because the package looks cool… So I thought it would be fitting to go into a little detail of why we put them in our retail area. All the products we sell are hand picked by Trycia because they are products we like or really believe in. Anytime Trycia or I are at the dog wash, ask us “why did you put ______ in”. We will have a story for everything. So Lincoln Bark….. They are made in Chicago, in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood…. Get it, Lincoln Bark! We met the owner at a pet expo in Chicago last fall (representing Topline Canine, the shampoo we use) and really liked the treats, packaging and their use of natural ingrediants. The owner that makes them is great, and she even had me try one! They are really good! So there you have it… The reason we carry Lincoln Bark. Bubbly Paws Dog Was was the first retail store outside of my hometown of Chicago to carry them!
Have a great day!
Keith
Missy’s Bath
Tonight I stopped in at the dog wash to help close up, and I was so happy to see this black lab come in. It was Missy, who was one of the dogs that we fostered at Pampered Pooch Playground. It has been about 7 months since I last saw missy and she was so happy to see me!! Missy and her Mom just left the dog park and Missy really needed a bath! Missy was a Pet Haven dog, which is who we foster dogs for, and Missy really loves playing. If you are a regular at the Dakota Dog Park in St Louis Park, I am sure you know Missy. She went home nice and clean tonight.
Have a good night!
Keith
Waffles gets a bath!
Say hello to Waffles, who is a golden doodle and the perfect grooming dog. Waffles always gets so excited to get groomed! Waffle’s parents are good friends of ours and Waffle’s mom runs BusyGirlHealthyLife.com and is also a Personal Trainer. Check out this video of waffles getting groomed at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa.
Muddy Mutt Mondays
Minneapolis dog wash and dog grooming
Now through the end of April, Bubbly Paws Dog Wash presents “Muddy Mutt Mondays”. Bring in your dirty dog on a Monday and receive 1/2 off a self service wash. You must mention this special when checking out. Our monday hours are 10am-7pm with the last bath starting at 6pm. Offer not valid with any other offer or discount.
Workin’ Dogs
Photo by Sarah, a Bubbly Paws staff member.
Meet Marley and Mattie, who can often be found hanging out at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash. One of the benefits of working at Bubbly Paws is the abality to bring your dog to work. Both of these lovely ladies get really excited to come to Bubbly Paws.
Have a great weekend!
Keith
We’re more than just a Dog Wash
I often forget that we do more than just self service dog washes…. We have a full service dog grooming department with 2 wonderful dog groomers with over 25 years of combined experience! Crista and Cyndi are both wonderful groomers and always go the extra mile to make every dog look their best. It is always so hard to find great groomers and we are very happy to have 2 of the best! Dog Grooming reservations can be made online or by calling 952-657-5300.
Have a great weekend!
Keith
Walk for the Animals
Did you catch this weeks prize from the Animal Humane Society? Bubbly Paws donated a bunch of gift cards to help get people to raise money for the Walk for the Animals. If you have not signed up yet, please join our team we have a bunch of incentives….. Team Paws and Pooch will be a great time! Giving back to the local pet community has always been something that both of our businesses have been built on!
Have a good night.
Keith
Spring Break Madness
Here is a fun new way to save money at Bubbly Paws… Simply upload a picture of your dog to our Facebook page and we will email you a coupon for $5 off a self service bath! If it is a picture of your dog at Bubbly Paws, we will send you a coupon for $10 off. This contest is good through the end of march (sorry, you can’t use pictures we have taken) and coupons can be used through the end of April.
Happy Spring Break!
Keith
A Family Friendly Dog Wash!
When we first opened Bubbly Paws Dog Wash, I never thought we would have so many families come with their dogs, but Bubbly Paws has turned into a great family activity. Belle’s family stopped in to give her a bath. Angie, the mom runs K9-Connection which is who we do many of our dog events with. We were talking and she said how it is the perfect family activity and everyone has fun with it and she gets a clean dog out of the deal
Have a great weekend!
Keith
Peaceful Pooches
Today we got a new shipment of collars, leaches and sweaters with the “Peace Sign” on them from Fab Dog! Our dog Roxy can be seen sporting this collar and leash and she really seems to like it! Check them out in our lobby! We keep adding new retail items all the time and if you ever have any suggestions please let us know!
I just wanted to thank everyone that has stopped out our first 2 weeks that we were open! It has been great to meet everyone!
Have a great night!
Keith
St Louis Park – Patch
Bubbly Paws Dog Wash was jut featured on St Louis Park Patch.com. Thanks to our employee Rose, and her dog Pax (Australian Shepard) for being such a great doggie model.
When the snow melts, your canine friend will be raring to get reacquainted with your neighborhood and the local dog parks. But just like you have a spring cleaning routine for your house, you should have a checklist of things to do to get your dog ready for the new season.
Enter Keith Miller. Miller is the owner of Bubbly Paws Self-Service Dog Wash and Dog Spa, which opened last month in St. Louis Park. Miller also owns the Pampered Pooch Playground, a popular doggy daycare in St. Louis Park. He shared a few steps pet owners should take to get their dogs ready for warmer weather:
- If you live or walk near a lake, don’t let your dog wander onto thin ice.
- Remove dirt and dead hair from your pet’s coat by giving it a shampoo and a good brushing. “If you get the dead hair out, they will shed less at home,” Miller said.
- If you have a dog with curly hair prone to matting, have the dog’s hair cut short for summer. “Mats can even become painful for dogs,” Miller said. He pointed out that if you take your dog to your cabin or a lake, short hair will help the pooch dry quicker and avoid further matting.
- Make sure your dog park permit is up to date. St. Louis Park has two off-leash dog parks, at Cedar Knoll Park and Dakota Park. Access to the parks is included in dog licensing fees for St. Louis Park residents; non-residents must purchase a permit for $55.
- Double-check that your dog’s vaccines are up-to-date, especially bordatella (kennel cough). “The chances of a dog getting sick are higher when they are around more dogs, like at the dog park,” Miller said. Seasonal allergies also pop up in the spring in dogs, much like they do in people, he said, so see your vet if your dog exhibits allergy symptoms.
- Make sure that your doors and fence gates latch properly, so your little escape artist can’t bolt.
- Make sure your dog has an I.D. tag or microchip in case it does bolt.
If your dog’s a muddy mess from the spring thaw and it’s too chilly still to hose it off in the yard, Bubbly Paws offers both self-service dog washing and full-service grooming.
“If your dog is muddy and you don’t want to deal with it, bring them in,” Miller said.
He said the dogs that came in during the store’s opening week were quite relaxed while getting clean in the waist-high tubs.
“They are comfortable because they are still getting a bath from their owners, not a random person,” he said.
All supplies are provided, including dog shampoo made by another local St. Louis Park company, Topline Canine Care.
“We try to keep our supplies local or regional,” Miller said.
Bubbly Paws on MSN
It is now secret, we love to take Roxy as many places as we possibly can! The people from MSN contacted me this past fall and wanted me to tell them where all the cool dog friendly places are. Check out the video that they just released by clicking here. There are so many great places to go, I feel bad that I could not list all of them in the video! When this video was filmed, Bubbly Paws Dog Wash was not open and construction had just started. Featured in the video is our other business, Pampered Pooch Playground.
Watch the video’s by clicking the links below:
Gracie gets a Bath
Gracie came in for a bath at the self service dog wash today and we decided to make a video of what it was like. Gracie belongs to our good friend Sarah, who owns Sarah Beth Photography (and some of the artwork at Bubbly Paws is her work). We had fun putting this together… Enjoy!
Dog Grooming @ Bubbly Paws
Eloise looking great after getting groomed at the Bubbly Paws Dog Spa
Today was another first for Bubbly Paws Dog Wash…. It was the first day of grooming with Christa who is our amazing groomer. Christa has a real hands on style and has worked for some great dog businesses and we are so excited to have her as part of the Bubbly Paws family! Grooming reservations can be made online or by calling the god wash (952-657-5300).
Eloise, the westie is one of the doggy daycare dogs from Pampered Pooch Playground who came to get groomed today. She looked super cute when she went home and her parents were so happy with the cut!
Have a great weekend!
Keith
Tazer and his bath
Today we received a call from Tazer’s dad asking if Tazer his bulldog could come in for a bath at the dog wash. I am a huge fan of bulldogs because I love how they snort! Tazer came in and got spoiled with his bath! He had a great time in the tub and had even more fun with the dryer! Tazer went home all fresh and clean!
Have a good night!
Keith
VIP Party Pictures
Saturday night we had a bunch of our friends and people from the pet industry at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash for a VIP Grand Opening Party. We wanted to show off our newest business to all of our friends in style, so we hired our good friend Kara to cater the event with Kara’s Cuisine. The food was amazing and it was great to see so many of our friends in one place. Thanks to Sarah of Sarah Beth Photography for taking some awesome pictures!!
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Our First Dog
Yesterday was our first day open and I was surprised with how many dogs came to get cleaned at the dog wash! The first dog through the door was Bryan the bulldog who is also one of the dogs that comes to Pampered Pooch Playground. Bryan has a huge personality and really loves attention, and we spent about 5 minutes petting him before he had his bath. Bryan enjoyed being cleaned at Bubbly Paws, but he favorite was getting treats
Thanks for being our first customer, we never forget the people that support us in the beginning!
Have a good day!
Keith
Preview Night Pictures
Here are a few pictures from the Bubbly Paws Dog Wash preview night. Thanks to Brian at the Mobile Photo Wall for taking the pictures and his pooch Fe for being one of the models!.
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Breakin’ in the Tubs
All the dogs went home all nice and clean from the self service dog wash.
Tonight was a big night at Bubbly Paws Dog Wash. We had the outdoor sign installed and it looks great! We also invited one of our Architects and her friend to come in and give their dogs a bath. We wanted to make sure we have everything set and in place before we open this weekend. I have to admit I was kinda nervous to have one of the designers of the dog wash use it for the first time. I really wanted it to live up to her expectations and make sure it was everything she had in her mind! Oscar got in the tub and really seemed to enjoy his bath! Everything was a huge success!! We will be open on Saturday from 10-3.. stop out and try it out!!
Just a few more days!
The grooming aprons are all set!
It is hard to believe that soon everyone will get to see all the hard work that was put into Bubbly Paws Dog Wash. Trycia and I were there all weekend working hard getting everything ready and we are just days away from opening the door! Heck, you could look in some of the windows because we have started to take some of the white construction paper down. Tomorrow all of the finishing touches will be done on the retail area and the grooming rooms. If all goes as planned, you can come in on Thursday and give your pooch a bath
See you soon.
It was a big day!!
Roxy is resting up so she can meet everyone in a few days when Bubbly Paws dog wash opens in Minneapolis!
The past few days Bubbly Paws dog wash has been swarming with people! We just passed our final City Inspection from St Louis Park and are all set to open! All the window decals are up and 90% of the retail items are in the store. Now we just have to put the shelves up, and put the items on them. We will be open by Wednesday! Today we went to Stunt Puppy which is another local business and picked up a bunch of collars and leashes! It is going to be a busy weekend getting everything set for our opening! If you have not signed up for our email list, make sure you do it, and you will receive a special grand opening savings (it is on the bottom right of our main page)!
We are so very excited!
Roxy’s Sleepover and Photo Shoot
Roxy (left) and Mira (right) wait outside Sarah Beth's studio.
Our dog Roxy has been having her half-sister spend the night at our house because her parents are out of town. Mira is a 2 year old Bernese Mountain Dog and such a sweet girl. She came to doggy daycare with us on Friday and had fun with all of the dogs in the “zen group”. Today our dog Roxy had a photo shoot scheduled with Sarah Beth Photography for some pictures for the dog wash. Roxy really likes Sarah and gets really excited when she sees her! We brought Mira along with us and she had fun waiting in Sarah’s office with Gracie (Sarah’s dog) while Roxy had her photo shoot. Just wait until you see the picture that is going up at Bubbly Paws. It will be really cool.
Have a good weekend!
Keith
Valentines Pooches
Last week, Bubbly Paws Dog Wash helped to sponsor the Valentines Day photo shoot with Modern Life Photography that took place at Pampered Pooch Playground. Some amazing pictures were taken, make sure to check them out on the Modern Life Photography blog.
Have a good day!
Keith
The 2011 Loppet
This winter Trycia I started to learn to ski and now we want to start teaching Roxy how to skijor. This is basically cross country skiing with 1-3 dogs tied to your waist and pulling you. If any of you were at the Loppet in Minneapolis yesterday you saw how much fun it is. Below is a video from yesterday!
Lots of changes at Excelsior and Grand
Many of you might have noticed all the changes coming to Excelsior and Grand in St Louis Park and we are very excited to be part of it. Minneapolis St Paul Magazine did a great story on all of the changes, and guess who is mentioned??? Bubbly Paws. Hang tight, we are just a few weeks away from opening!
Coming to Excelsior & Grand…
January 19th, 2011
by Allison Kaplan
Got a sneak peek of Max’s new space at Excelsior & Grand in St. Louis Park – just across the parkway from the current store. I think it’s going to be a good move for this under appreciated luxe gift gallery, which specializes in jewelry, art and chocolate (trifecta!). The new space is wider and will allow for more display room. Max’s is scheduled to be closed for about a week and reopen in the new spot Feb. 5.
All’s well that ends well, but the truth is, this move was not owner Ellen Hertz’s idea. Excelsior & Grand is moving her to make room for CVS in the anchor spot that fronts Excelsior Boulevard, previously home to a couple of ill-fated restaurants. CVS. Sigh. On the positive side, it could bring some neighborhood traffic to this shopping district, which has struggled to fill vacancies and draw a crowd, despite the good location and bustling Trader Joe’s. Max’s has been one of the few shining stars – thanks to Hertz’s tireless promotional efforts and stellar merchandise. The biggest bummer about CVS, besides not exactly raising Excelsior & Grand’s profile as a shopping destination, is the waste of patio space. I ate at Laredo’s, not because the food was good (how do you screw up guacamole?), but because it was so lovely to sit outside on the wide stretch of sidewalk, near grass and a fountain. I hope they at least add some tables and benches – the place could use some loitering.
At least the spaces are filling. Also opening at Excelsior & Grand in February: Bubbly Paws, a self-serve dog wash and full-service dog spa form the owners of Pampered Pooch Playground and Get In Shape For Women, offering small group personal training (it’s new to Minnesota).And in March comes Oil & Vinegar, selling cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Customers will be able to make custom blends and take cooking classes.
Homeward Bound Fundraiser
Those of you that are new to our business model might not know how important it is to us to give back to the community through various dog rescues. Join us Feb. 10th from 5-8pm, at Tryg’s in Minneapolis for the Homeward Bound rescue fundraiser. One great thing about Tryg’s is that they are very dog friendly in the summer and allow dogs on their patio! When the weather is nice our other business does Yappy Hours at a restaurant in Minnetonka with Homeward Bound. I hope to see you at this great event!
KARE 11 News
Bubbly Paws was featured on KARE 11 talking about cold weather dog tips featuring products by Stunt Puppy and Topline Canine.
Meet Roxy
Roxy loves the snow... This is one of my favorite pictures of her taken in Northeast Minneapolis.
So much of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash was inspired by our dog Roxy, so I thought it would be good if you got to know her a little better. Roxy is a 5 year old Bernese Mountain Dog. She is also a certified therapy dog which means that she can visit schools and nursing homes, and she does this on a regular basis. She enjoys people and can often be seen sitting on peoples feet! Af for food, she loves her Woody’s Pet Food and will always remind you when it is 6:30am and 5pm for her food. In the summer, you can often see her walking around (and sitting in) the lakes in Minneapolis or going to the Minnehaha Dog Park, which is her favorite place in the world! We also enjoy taking Roxy to as many dog friendly places as possible. I just took her to the Apple Store in uptown, where they are super dog friendly!
The construction is getting close to being completed, once we are open, stop in and ask Roxy for a “High 5!”.
See you soon.
Keith
Roxy’s Favorite People
Molly from Just Paws Puppy Training brought her dog Tellulah and she for her favorite window sill to sit on!
Yesterday, we were busy getting ready for the filming of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl and Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is a sponsor! The set looks great and everyone involved has worked so hard. We had our dog Roxy there, and she must have been in heaven because so many of her favorite people were there. She gets so excited for certain people and all of them kept walking in and everyone had their dogs with them! Who are her favorite people you ask?
Sarah from Sarah Beth Photography, Lisa from Caribou Coffee, Ali from Sidewalk Dog and Molly from Just Paws Puppy Training.
After Roxy was done greeting everyone, she had to try out all of the toys for the Puppy Bowl. She had a great time!
The filming of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl is today. Look for some pictures soon!
Keith
Puppy Bowl Fun!
Last year, our other business, was a sponsor of the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl, this year, Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is a main sponsor of this great event, and I have been super busy getting everything together for it. We have teamed with with a few of our favorite businesses to make it possible; Sarah Beth Photography, Sidewalk Dog and Just Paws Training. We will be taping it this weekend with 11 amazing puppies, most of which are available for adoption. If you want to see all of this puppy cuteness, you can visit the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl website. One of the core values of Bubbly Paws Dog Wash is to give back to the community in which we are located and we do this in a variety of ways. Heck, we are giving back, and we are not even open yet.
Have a good night!
Keith
Dog friendly Minneapolis!
Roxy hanging out at her favorite Yappy Hour at Pairings in Minnetonka.
Did you know that Minneapolis is a very dog friendly city? I was just featured on a MSN website talking about how dog friendly everything is, and where some of the best hidden gems are. In the video you will see me at our other business, Pampered Pooch Playground. I can’t wait to meet everyone and talk about all of our favorite dog places in the Twin Cities. You will also get to meet our 5 year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Roxy.
Click here to watch the video.
Get ready… Bubbly Paws Dog Wash has LOTS and LOTS of events planned!!
Have a good night!
Keith
New Website is Up!
The tile that is going to go above the tubs! We stopped in on Sunday, and they were hard at work installing it!
As many of you might know, starting a new business is a huge adventure, and it never goes as fast as you think. The same is true for Bubbly Paws Dog Wash and Dog Spa. We have a great construction contractor working very hard to get things open and done and everything should be wrapped up in about 3 weeks! Get excited!! The grand opening celebration will be lots of fun! Trycia and I keep going in and making sure everything is going smoothly, which it is!
We can’t wait to meet everyone, and introduce the Twin Cites to the newest and most state of the art self service dog wash and spa!
Keith
