HUNT

GLENANDS PET SHOP

Glenands is definitely the first name that pops up when we talk pet accessories in Bangalore. The most popular, renowned and the oldest store for elite pet requisites, Glenands dates back to the British Era. Owner, Jayakaran E.V., narrates, "My father opened the store in 1938 on M.G. Road. Imported dog biscuits would spoil due to time-consuming shipping those days. So he came up with his own special formulation of biscuits and sold them alongside other imported non-perishable pet products. It was only in 1984 that I took over, set up shop on Church Street and named it Glenands after the world famous kennel in Germany."

Almost 85 per cent of this two-floored store is dedicated to dogs, 13 per cent to cats and the rest two per cent to fish and birds. But the products get even a non pet lover interested! Besides imported dog beds and cages, there is an array of products that leave you stumped! Winter coats, colourful T-shirts and female puppy frocks occupy a huge shelf for all sizes of dogs. Designer leashes, harness sets, collars (with engraving facility) and flexis are adorable and so are the rubber toys. Even the grooming section keeps you wondering, what with dog perfumes in lavender and strawberry fragrances, white and bright shampoo for Pomeranians, aloe shampoos and mild olive shampoos, special long coat and short coat shampoos and even oatmeal scrubs! Puppies too get their share with special bath tubs and disposable diapers. The food section too generates interest. Glenands has all the top brands of food and munchies in flavours like grilled liver, smoked chicken and natural breath fresheners.

The cat call is impressive too with salmon and shrimp flavoured tidbits, cat treats with sunflower accents and garden veggies, party mix with fun shapes, tuna flavour to ocean fish flavour! These purring animals too get their designer collars, high quality scratching pads, toys and litter trays. "Cats as pets are growing popular in Bangalore because of apartment living," says Jayakaran, who also observes that owning pets is the biggest trend amongst the elderly today. He says, "In the 1950s, people bought dogs as mere status symbols. But today they have realised that animals are unconditionally loyal and better than human beings!"

GLENANDS PET SHOP #35, Church Street, Opp. Java City, Bangalore ? 560001 Ph: 080 ? 41121578

Also at- #475, 1st Cross, 5th Block, KHB Colony, Koramangala,Bangalore ? 560098 Ph: 080-40927524

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YASHBANS KENNELS

With 30 years in the business of breeding pedigree dogs, Yashodhara of Yashbans Kennels is a reputed name. Not many know that this dynamic professional breeder and passionate animal lover is also Pandit Ravi Shankar's sister-in-law, making her Anoushka Shankar's maternal aunt!

Yashodhara's Yashbans came into existence in 1980 and has since then pedigreed several top-of-the-line dogs which have gone on to win many dog and puppy shows. Some of the coveted awards won by Yashbans Kennels are the prestigious Hindu Trophy for The Dog of the Year, Lakshmi Trophy for The Breeder of The Year, the Bhandari Trophy for the Reserve Dog of the Year.

The mini paradise specialises in and even exports Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweiler, Golden Retrievers, St. Bernard, Chows, Miniature Pinschers, Siberian Huskies and Shih Tzus. Pugs, Boxers and Chow Chows are also on the list.

On the breed popularity meter, Yashodhara observes, "India is not yet ready for ferocious dogs. Golden Retriever and St Bernard are the most popular gentle giants. Siberian Huskies are also very fashionable these days." Yashbans also houses limited number of Winter Persian Cats (which she refers to as the newest and the easiest indoor animal) and a whole lot of stray dogs and cats. Puppies cost around Rs 25,000 and cats Rs 8,000.

Yashbans also provides quite a few services. It has air-conditioned, high-on-style boarding kennels for your pets when you are away. Each dog/cat gets a bedding, fan/AC and purified water with all security and maintenance measures taken at the farm which is also secured with two gates! It costs Rs 300 to 500 per day. Yashbans also offers pet transportation service (handled by Yashodhara's daughter Rishya). So you can ensure your pet's safe delivery from your doorstep to any part of the world.

YASHBANS KENNELS Kaylasanahalli, Off Hennur Main Road, Bangalore ? 560077 Ph: 080-65639548

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FUZZY WUZZY PET STYLING STUDIO AND SPA

Oil Massages, Aromatherapy Rinses, Birthday Makeovers, Hair Colouring to Funky Hairstyling: all these treatments are for your pets! Fuzzy Wuzzy is a styling studio and spa for dogs, cats, hamsters and even exotic birds residing in Bangalore. Located in Indiranagar, this professional pet salon and spa is owned by mother-daughter duo Yashodhara and Radhia and came into Bangalore ten years ago as a novel concept. "Many people who buy dogs don't know how to maintain them. If groomed well, you needn't even ask your children to wash hands after playing with the pet. Again, a lot of people like to groom their dogs for the many dog shows that take place today," says Yashodhara, a professional breeder and a trained groomer from USA who began by displaying her scissoring techniques on her dogs that won much appreciation and convinced her to open a pet salon.

Besides treating dandruff, tick and flea problems by trained vets at the salon, Fuzzy Wuzzy has an array of luxurious treats. Alongside basic necessities like nail clippings, ear cleaning, de-tangling and matt removal, pets can get skin conditioning, hair care, show grooming to even Bikinis ?n' Brazilians! "We simply give a clean shave around the genitals for hygiene. As for makeovers, we get myriad requests. A girl wanted a Mohawk look for her Cocker Spaniel. Another wanted her dog to look like a lion!"

The hair colouring treatments for dogs costs about Rs 300 for a puppy and Rs 800 for a German Shepherd. But is the hair colouring safe? "We use only natural vegetable dyes from USA that are hundred per cent safe and simply wash out after a few days. One client asked for blue-coloured legs and green hairdo for her dog. Another wanted a pink-coloured puppy!"

FUZZY WUZZY , #1, 17th ?F' Cross, Indiranagar, 2nd Stage, Bangalore ? 560038 Ph: 080-41261470

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAMPERED PETS

Another new pet accessories store to check out is Pampered Pets on 100 Feet Road Indiranagar. It's a good quick-stop-shop for your pet.

Apart from all the good brands of dog and cat food, the shop has a rack of collars and leashes, rubber toys and beds. Racks occupy tonics, multivitamins, feeding bowls and feeding bottles for pets. But what impresses is the shampoo and toiletries shelf with its fragrances and flavours. Green Apple and Pear Shampoo, Green Tea Shampoo and Soap, dog colognes and deodorant sprays in fruity tones and aloe vera components ? and this is just to mention a few. Good store for one of those swing-bys!

PAMPERED PETS #765, 100 Feet Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore ? 560038, Ph: 40380569