At Bark N’ Scratch Outpost in Milwaukee, you will find the highest quality pet food and supplies.
“We want to help pet owners be proactive and create an environment of wellness so their animal is saved from the unnecessary stress and suffering caused by disease,” said Carrie Marble, owner of Bark N’ Scratch. “Every pet and pet owner is important to us.”
Marble knows first-hand the pain of watching a pet suffer. In 2004, she dreamed about a dog that she knew was supposed to be hers. Over the course of several months she repeatedly visited numerous humane societies and rescue shelters searching for that special dog. One day after getting her hair done, she found herself taking a different route home and then making a U-turn and pulling in the parking lot of a local pet store. She walked in and saw a small white Bichon and knew instantaneously that her search had ended. The dog had just arrived. The storeowners hadn’t even had time to give the new puppy a bath.
Marble told the clerk, “That’s my dog!” She paid for it “as is” and welcomed the dog into her loving home. She named the dog Snowbelle Bagwell (Bagwell is Marble’s maiden name).
Within two months, Snowbelle developed “hot spots” – areas where she was pulling off her hair to stop the itching caused by irritated skin.
After repeated visits to the vet, who suggested that environmental factors (including laundry soap, perfume, carpeting, furniture, paint, etc.) were triggering Snowbelle’s condition, he began a series of interventions including prescribing different types of steroids. After several months, the vet conducted surgery to remove Snowbelle’s anal sack so the reoccurring impacting would be eliminated (he told Marble that it was like removing tonsils). Unfortunately, Snowbelle’s pain escalated and her condition worsened. During this time, Marble consulted other veterinarians who recommended similar approaches, some even recommending more medication.
After six months, the vet told Marble that she should euthanize Snowbelle, “She’s no good.”
Then, divine intervention happened. Marble took Snowbelle to a groomer who shows dogs. Looking at her condition, the groomer asked what she was feeding Snowbelle. When Marble described the dog’s diet, the groomer replied, “Show dogs don’t eat kibble. Try a raw food diet.” Marble had already discussed this with her vet, who told her, “No raw food, it will kill your dog.” The groomer said, “Well, if she’s going to die anyway, why not try it? You have nothing to lose.” She had a point.
Marble switched Snowbelle to a raw food plan and within two months, her lesions had healed and her fur had grown back.
During this time, her husband Michael, the owner of a successful windows and doors business, decided that it was time to make a change. In September, 2006, with nothing more than a shelf of Wellness dog food and a single freezer of raw diet food, they opened Bark N’ Scratch Outpost, located at 5835 W. Blue Mound Road in Milwaukee (http://www.barknscratchoutpost.com).
Marble learned that while all owners want the best for their pets, it’s easy to fall prey to the power of big company marketing machines. When asked what is the foundation for a healthy pet, she said:
- Diet (quality of food)
- Water (not tap)
- Environmental conditions
- Treats (most are not healthy)
“Animals are a gift from God and we must take care of them,” Marble said.
Bark N’ Scratch offers a number of educational programs including: Reiki classes for pet owners; animal communicator services; animal massage; raw foods educational programs; and many other special events.
Employees are well educated, patient and committed to helping owners make the best choices for their pets. A significant amount of time is invested in reading the latest books, attending educational seminars and listening to customers who share their success stories.
Each year they attend integrative wellness veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker’s (www.MercolaHealthyPets.com) workshop and as often as possible, invite her to present at the store.
While attending one of Dr. Becker’s workshops, Marble learned that when Dr. Becker attended veterinarian school, she was taught that dogs are omnivores (eat a variety of meat and vegetable matter. Although omnivores can and will eat vegetable matter, their system is not designed to digest some types of grains and plants). But Becker said, “That’s not true! Dogs are carnivores!” (meat eaters who generally require live foods. They have sharp pointed teeth that allow them to grasp their prey and tear off large chunks of flesh, which is swallowed whole rather than ground or chewed first. A carnivore’s digestive system lacks the ability to digest vegetable matter, so even though they might eat plants, they cannot derive nutrients from them.)
This is important because the binding ingredient found in most kibble (pellet-like dry food) is corn. Cats’ and dogs’ digestive systems are not designed to process kibble so over time, the animal becomes depleted of vital vitamins and minerals, and like Snowbelle, their intestinal tract may become impacted.
“As owners, we need to know what ingredients we are serving to our pets,” Marble said. She recommends www.dogfoodadvisor.com to find out what’s in your pet’s food.
In an industry where 64.5 percent of the market is dominated by four large retailers, Bark N’ Scratch Outpost has carved out a local niche in which some pet owners drive from Racine and Cedarburg there for the personalized service, selection and education.
“Every day, I look forward to helping pet owners make positive health changes in the lives of their precious pets,” Marble said.
Christine McMahon is a business strategist. She can be reached at (414) 290-3344 or by email at ccm@christinemcmahon.com.
