Monday, 10 October 2011

Review: Dogotel & Spa Luxe *NEW*

Full review TBA soon

G/F, 52 Hing Fat Street
Causeway Bay
Tel: 2836 5001



Ginger & Coco Apres le Bain @ the new branch


Review: Dogospa (Pet Shop, & Grooming)

Shop 2, G/F, Redana Centre
25 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: 2836 5001

Dogotel in Mongkok was too far for us to go for weekly grooming so I started taking Ginger to the Dogospa in Causeway Bay, it is still not close to our home but an easy enough taxi ride.

They have the same level of service and products as their branch in Mongkok (see previous review).

The 'haircut' is THE BEST, Ginger's best haircut ever, apart from Jo in Australia ;-)

Everyone from reception to the groomers are very friendly and helpful.

Coco had her first express manicure, I mean cut her nails ;-) , there when she was just 3 months old. It was stress free for both us but I have to say that when they offered to have it done while I was waiting to collect Ginger I was sort of expecting to receive this service as a courtesy since I was already a regular customer , coming weekly with Ginger and they knew Coco would be there for her bath weekly once she was fully vaccinated to be allowed in... It did not make us any poorer but it would have been nice to have been offered the courtesy. Maybe it is a cultural thing, service provided is service charged, no matter how small it is and how special your client is? But again they do have a business to run and I'd rather pay them to do it then have risked doing it myself (I heard it is very painful or the dog if you cut it too short, even more than it is for us).

I also found it helpful that when I took Coco in for a bath for the first time (and a few times after) they informed me that the skin on her belly was very dry and made recommendations on how to treat it to avoid any future complications.

I heard that they opened a new branch in Causeway Bay, which is bigger. I am really looking forward to checking it out on Monday when I take Ginger, who is very fluffy at the moment,  for this season's hair cut and Coco for a bath ;-)

I very highly recommend Dogospa!

 Ginger's Haircut Style



Haircut style in the magazine. I opted to have longer years instead.




Coco's first 'express manicure' @ the age of 3 months ;-)


Coco waiting for her first bath with Ginger

Friday, 7 October 2011

Dog Fur 'Coco' Boots!

Coco is nearly the perfect dog, nearly because of one thing:

SHEDDING ;-(   excessively... (Ginger NEVER sheds, therefore the PERFECT doggie!)

Before choosing a pekinese I was advised about this problem in this breed but t is unbelievable how much she sheds... I need to vacuum clean our home at least 3 times a day to keep the dark wooden flooring from looking white! I also gave up wearing black when she is around ;-(

I tried everything that was recommended so far:

1- To brush everyday ( I do it twice a day)

2- To opt for Natural food option ( I've changed her food to Natural Balance nearly 2 months ago)

3- Fish Oil ( I've been putting Omega 3, 6 & 9 in her food since I changed it)

When I saw these beautiful boots on one of my favourite fashion mags it gave me a fantastic idea!!!!!

I will save her fur and use it to make a winter ankle cuff to add to my existing feather cuffs collection (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150259028242629.365648.683207628&type=1)  and I will call it Coco !!

:-)

Review: Dogotel (Pet Shop, Grooming and Pet Hotel)

Shop 14, G/F,
124E Argyle Street, Kowloon
Tel: 2711-0019

I came across this place just before Christmas last year when I was looking for boarding for Ginger.

I was welcome in by Sisse Pang who is was very friendly and spoke English better than I do. She showed photos of her many dogs and introduced me to her Shih Tzu who is 18 years old and looks very young and healthy !!!!!!!

She showed me around the place, everything is beautiful and spotless. The staff look like they love the animals and were very attentive to them. At the time I was looking into buying Coco and they gave some useful advices on breeds and puppy care.

As we enter the hotel, past reception there is a relatively large play/ exercise area with toys and a slide!

There are 3 different 'room' types:

1- 'The fido standard': are two-storey cabins of approx. 12 sq. ft for small dogs. Basically, built in 'cages' where one dog stays on the floor level and the other in the cabin above it.

2- 'The single deluxe': Same size as the fido standard or 25 sq. ft with no other cabin above it, so it feels more like a built in play pen. This one is recommended for large doggies but I would prefer to board my doggies in this one that in my opinion would be less claustrophobic.

3- 'The family suite': A beautiful space, like a built in play pen, just next to reception (meaning that the doggies get more 'human contact', at least they can see people around all the time. It has a projector playing cute doggies movies and beautiful bedding. The sweetest boarding space I have ever seen but with a savoury price tag!!

Although I absolutely love the place this would be my second choice for boarding, unless I could afford the family suite, solely because apart from the designated play times, apparently 3 times a day, when they get out of their cabins to play in the open they are confined to their little space for the rest of the time with not much human contact.

As for the pet shop it sells some tasteful and unique dogs accessories such as excellent quality dog carrier bags, books and the cutest little clothes I have ever seen.

The groomers are apparently 'imported' from Japan and are highly qualified and skilled. If in doubt of what style you like ask them to show you the beautiful magazines where you can make your choice , just like at your favourite hairdressers!

They also offer Grooming services in Causeway Bay and I will review it in a separate post.

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Review: Es Pet Place (Pet Shop, Grooming, Day Care & Boarding)

This will be the first of many reviews on groomers, hotel, vets, pet shops, etc to come.

Please note that I am an independent consumer of products and services for pets and all the reviews reflect only my own experiences and opinions.

I will start with a review per day until I manage to post all the experiences I had so far and then started posting as I come across it.

Es Pet Place
G/F, 27 First Street
Sai Ying Pun
(just opposite the Island Crest condo)

This is one of the many places that I came across just by chance a couple of months ago and I wish someone had told me about before - maybe this is one of those treasures that people keep secret about ;-)

This pet shop/ groomer/ day care/ boarding facility is owned by a very friendly local couple (Stella & Arnie).

When you meet them with your dogs you can see straight away their love for pets.

The place is immaculate clean and has a very pleasant environment to it. To top it up Stella and Arnie speak English very well and seem never to be in a hurry and are always keen on helping you out with any questions that you may have - and I normally have a lot! :-)

They sell a variety of natural pet food that can not be found in many places in HK such as Natural Balance and .... they also have toys, accessories and a variety of cute clothing and bows!

By the way, try the strawberry scented puppy pads for a change. I was laughing when I saw it and honestly thought that it was a bit much pampering to provide my doggies with a 'scented toilet ' but they turn round to be soooo good! They are much more absorbent than the ones I used before and the price is the same, meaning that I don't have to keep changing them all the time and their little paws always dry when they come in after a wee.

I have been taking Ginger and Coco there weekly for a bath and basic grooming (ears cleaning, nail clipping and trimming around the eyes and genitals).

They use a natural shampoo for the baths which are supposed to be gentle on the dogs skin/ coat and prevent allergies.

I live nearby so sometimes they come to collect them from home.

Before and after the bath the dogs are kept loose around the space to run and socialise with the others.

I have also tried their boarding facilities which I was VERY impressed with. They keep the dogs free to play with the others during the day and have a space upstairs for bed time, again no cages, just a large playpen. Stella & Arnie have a designated space with a bed where they sleep in when they have furry guests so the dogs are not left alone at any moment. Isn't it amazing? They also send regular updates which I found gave me some extra peace of mind.

I have to say, boarding there is not cheap, specially when you have 2 dogs but you can for sure travel knowing that your beloved four legged kids are in good hands. I found the prices for other services and products to be the same and sometimes cheaper than other places I tried before.

I have not tried their 'hair cut' yet and will post the review when I do.

Pop in when you are around the area, I am sure you will not be disappointed, then feel free to leave your comments here. I would reccomend giving them a call to check whether they are open before as more than once I went there and it was shut.


Sweet dreams : bedtime photo sent from EsPet Place during our last holidays.

Are doggies in this fall ??


I was delightfully surprised to see doggies 'posing' in beautiful publicity campaigns spread around the pages of the main fashion mags this season...

Would there be a more fabulous first post for our blog?



Japanese Chin (but we like to think they are Pekingese ) for Loius Vuitton on Elle - US, Sep'11 & Harper's Bazaar, Sep and Oct'11 & Marie Claire - UK, Oct'11 (can you hear Coco saying: "Am I innnn?"?



Pugs for Loius Vuitton on Marie Claire - UK, Sep'11


A Schnauzer for Louis Vuitton on Elle - US, Oct'11



Pomeranian for Moncler on Harper's Bazaar & Elle US, Sep'11


Is this a Shih Tzu for Moncler on Harper's Bazaar, Oct'11 ???


                                            A Dalmatian for Bloomigdales on Harper's Bazaar, Oct'11

                                         
                                          Another Dalmatian for Garnier on Marie Claire - US, Sep'11



                              Beagles for Tommy Hilfiger on  Marie Claire - US & Harper's Bazaar, Sept' 11
             (This ones don't really count as the beagle is very often present in their shoots but I                     thought I would mention anyway)

                                 
                              More beagles for Tommy Hilfiger on Marie Claire - UK, Sep'11



Yorkishire Terrier for Clarks on Marie Claire - UK, Oct'11



Now, I guess that putting doggies in their ad campaigns is working... I had never heard of this brand,  Stefanel,  before and if it wasn't for the little pup in her arms I would not have noticed it at all...