We have been a part of Main Street Moab for over 8 years, but it’s time for a change and we are moving to a new location. We are taking over what has been a local neighborhood favorite, Wild Rose’s Imports located at 200 N 100 W. It has been a wild ride being on Main Street and we would like to share some of our favorite stories with you.
One of our first dogs on the loose was a small terrier mix. It was late in the evening of our first summer and I was sitting behind the counter of a full store. We kept the doors open to draw walking traffic but also got a drive by pooping. Yep that’s right the little fella came in next to the counter, curled around and squatted right there for nature’s gift. I asked if the dog belonged to anyone as I grabbed for the paper towels, but before I sorted out it was nobody’s dog he was out the door and down the block. Guess he didn’t like the selection!
Our next wild ride came the next spring when we had record rains and we learned that our entire block from left to right slopes towards the back of our building. With a small flash flood we were overwhelmed by drainage from neighboring buildings and it was coming in our back door. There is a basement, and that day there was a small water fall that filled a small pool and took many days to dry up. We have since created a wall and backup drainage but who says water isn’t plentiful in the desert.
We have had our share of exotic visitors too! From a huge African desert tortoise that visits annually, you’ve seen him walking with his grandpa on Main Street every year he visits, too pigs of all sizes. Some small enough to fit into our petite dog harnesses to waddling porkers over 100 lbs. They have come, squealed and conquered the treats and dog wash. We have had handfuls of ferrets, cats, rats on leashes. Pretty parrots and kisses from cockatiels. They have all been amazing and a joy to see. We have snuggled visiting 2 lb. teacup Yorkies to 200lb Neapolitan Mastiffs each has been a new friend, and satisfied customer (we do have free treats!). We can’t wait to see who comes in next.
Main Street also equals traffic, and cars, lots and lots of cars. Luckily those dogs who have made it out the door and so often next door at the Old ABC Bookstore or across the highway to the new and awesome Back of Beyond, have made it back safe. The dogs were always lucky but many vehicles have not been so lucky. There have been short, smoky stops from 18 wheelers with full loads that shift and crush their cabs, as well as shake the building. Setting off our entire wall of digital squeaker cat toys (not super freaky or anything!). There have been haphazard deliveries from our food companies in front of the store where fighting pedestrians end up in a pile of dog food swinging and shouting. There has been many an overly brave RV driver who dares the parallel parking of behemoth rentals and gets a mirror taken off, or a lovely new racing strip from passing giants. All the while being entertainment and daily conversation pieces for our customers.
We have had our share of entertaining stories about Main Street, and we are so happy to have gotten our start there, but we look so forward to our move to a local neighborhood store. Our new location is larger allowing more selections, with awesome parking. Our bigger size will also double our services of grooming and self-serve dog wash. We will have two tubs to allow less wait time for a walk-in wash. We also take all size dogs for grooming, so if you need your dog groomed call for an appointment today. See you there!
This season already I have removed more cheat grass not only from the coats of dogs but also their skin. Cheat grass is a barbed grass that attaches to a dogs coat and quickly works down to the skin penetrating the skin. If not removed quickly it can cause an abscess that is not only painful to your dog but can get quite costly when you have to have the veterinarian do a small surgery to remove the offender from your dog. Every time you take your dog out make sure you run a brush through the coat when you get home. Pay special attention to the feet (in-between the pads), the belly, underarms, tail and back side under the tail. If you get to the cheat grass quickly you will find there should be no problems. 
The other hitchhikers of concern are cactus barbs. Try to keep your dog clear of cactus on your hikes but I find carrying a small “kit” that includes tweezers, alcohol pads and antibacterial ointment can be very beneficial at keeping your dog safe and comfortable.
