Newest Hill store, for the paws that refresh

by PAT STOKES

OK, so it's a really, really weird, weird world out there. No one will argue with that. People keep shooting each other and themselves right and left, leaving everybody else bewildered and sad. It's, like, the world is going to the dogs.

So what happens? Up comes a pretty, upbeat, cheerful, friendly young woman, and she opens a shop strictly for the above-mentioned creatures. Dogs, that is. And why not? Dogs, everyone will agree are g-r-r-eat pets. Responsive, loyal, not designed to carry handguns, and best of all, just plain warm and cuddly. "So," said Melissa Burkett, "Let's hear it for dogs," and quicker than you could say "Here, Fido," she and friends opened the Bone Appetite K9 Dog Bakery, an elegant high-end specialty shop at 8505 Germantown Ave., dedicated to providing nourishing and fun things for pets.

Melissa lives in Ardmore with her husband, Philip, who also loves dogs. She graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1999, having majored in psychology. She didn't pursue that field, however. Other things appealed to her. She spent a few years in the financial industry. For a while, because she's always loved sewing, she designed and made little coats and other things for dogs, as well as rhinestone-trimmed accessories and the like, satisfying to some extent an inner yearning to be a fashion designer.  But she's always felt comfortable in a business environment, and she's always had a passion for animals, especially dogs. There you have it. The perfect combination.

And so, on May 21, the shop opened with Melissa as manager. It's actually owned by David Gardenhour, who owns two Labradors, also loves dogs and runs a similar store in Wayne, Pa.

David's consuming interest is in offering topnotch quality nutritional pet food. He bakes many of the cookies himself, as well as some of the other goodies piled high in a glamorous glass case in the front of the store, looking for all the world like French pastries at a five-star restaurant. All the treats are made from human-grade ingredients: whole-wheat flour or oat flour, peanut butter, carob (to avoid allergies to chocolate), yogurt and honey.

For dog owners looking for the ideal answer to the daily feeding scene, there is premium bagged dog food, made from meat such as lamb, plus rice, sunflower oil, other whole grains, flaxseed oil, fresh fruit and acidophilus. It contains no fillers, antibiotics, pesticide residues or chemicals, and goes through 50 different quality control checks. (I look around, just to be sure this isn't a health food store for people.)

The shop itself is charming, well designed and attractively arranged. There are irresistible stuffed doggies everywhere, lounging in luxurious dog beds and peeking out of handsome carriers. There are also two live ones walking around. One is Melissa's Yorkshire terrier, Mercedes (see photo). The other is a Blue Heeler, an Australian cattle dog named Grendel, who belongs to Alicia, one of the six or so helpers in the shop.

I asked how customers and people in general were responding to the idea of the shop. "Everyone has been very encouraging and helpful, especially dog lovers, of course," Melissa answered. "There is a whole network of people who are so happy to be able to bring their pets into a store where they will be accepted and loved. The products that they buy for their pets show their love for them. It's their way of pampering them."

There are plenty of accessories for dogs: leashes, collars, dog beds, food bowls and toys. And for their owners, t-shirts sporting dog humor, aprons for barbecue cooks and for the Pinot Grigio fan, a whine cooler. Bone Appetite will customize collars and harnesses to fit perfectly, as well as offering custom dog bed coverings you can choose from a swatch book, just as you would choose a cover for your couch. I love the contemporary print of a lady dog and man dog dancing beneath the words The Good Life. It's a happy place, and Mercedes, the little Yorkie, is so appealing, you'll never want to leave.

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 to 5:30. Friday, 10 to 6. Saturday, 9 to 5. Sunday, 11 to 3. For more information, 215-247-4292.

See you on the Avenue.