Tehachapi News

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Susie Atherton, owner of Canine Creek Dog Wash & Boutique, has received another in a long list of industry-related awards placing her at the top of Pet Product News International’s list of “25 to Watch in 2009.” She was also named 2008/2008 runner-up Retailer of the Year, after holding the top honor for 2007/2008.

“Our group was impressed with how well-rounded Canine Creek is — from the dog wash to the product sales to the involvement in the industry — everything says ‘winner,’” said Pet Product News International Editor Carol Boker.

In 2005, she founded Pet Industry Retailers (PIR) as a Yahoo! Group as a means for networking with other business owners to discuss products and vendors, exchange merchandise, share business ideas, and provide moral support to one another. Now there are more than 500 members nationwide.

“We’ve got a little momentum going here,” Atherton said.

News of her success has recently been lauded in the Detroit Free Press and other pet industry publications, putting Canine Creek, and Tehachapi on the map.

“Just because Tehachapi is a small town, it doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. Networking and reaching out to other people in your industry can make you more successful.”

Using her connections, Atherton alerted the Tehachapi News to last year’s pet food recalls before many larger vendors and news outlets.

“The members in PIR were some of the first people to know about it. Even before many of the reps in the pet food industry.”

Also a founding member of Save Tehachapi’s Orphaned Pets (S.T.O.P.), Atherton maintains a lost and found pet blog on the Tehachapi News and Canine Creek web sites. Her off-the-leash advocacy has also resulted in Tehachapi’s first — East Kern’s only — fenced dog park at Meadowbrook Dog. The park was officially opened last fall, after Atherton had spent four years collecting signatures, rallying public support and faithfully attending Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District board meetings.

“Once again, Susie Atherton has outdone herself, if that is possible,” Marsha Donnelson, a Tehachapi Humane Society volunteer said. “In addition to being one of the S.T.O.P. founders, Susie also supports the Tehachapi Humane Society with her forward thinking ideas, where there are no boundaries for improvements; additionally, she has collected countless signatures for the much-needed animal shelter in Tehachapi, also one of STOP's main goals.”

Another sign of her success, Atherton relocated her store last year, doubling her space to almost 3,000 square feet. Her business continues to thrive in the new downtown location on Tehachapi Boulevard, attracting the occasional canine tourist in need of a bath.

Tourists from Italy currently hold the record for most distance traveled, but one loyal customer comes from Barstow once a month for dog food, toys, goodies and grooming.

“They make a day trip of it with their five dogs, and they probably spend $400 at a time,” she said.

Atherton is also on the board of directors for the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce and said that networking locally can be a real boost to your business, especially if you’re in need of funding.

“A bank is more likely to loan you money if they know you,” she pointed out.

“I tell people that the Chamber is sort of like the gym. Unless you go and work out you don’t really get something from it. You have to use it as a tool.”

Atherton said one tool pet owners can use to help maintain their pet’s health and prevent big vet bills is to feed them quality food.

“They’re less likely to have skin allergies, ear infections, skin infections, hot spots,” she said. “Especially in this economy people are coming in looking for natural, less expensive ways to take care of their pets.”