Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune article on Doggone Holistic:
South Shore News
Folks flock to Doggone Holistic to keep their pets healthy
BY ELAINE SPEER
Special Correspondent
Published: October 8, 2014
LITHIA – For most dog and cat owners, pets are part of the family. Their full-time jobs are providing unconditional love, endless loyalty and even security.
In return pets ask very little – maybe a ball toss, a walk around the block or a scratch behind the ears – and a healthy diet. But most pet owners are unaware of what type of food to buy, and they know even less about what’s in them.
Kim Tom and her husband, Chris, are co-owners of Dog Gone Holistic, a specialty pet store at 5620 FishHawk Crossing Blvd., Lithia. They’ve been serving – and educating – pet owners across the Tampa area for more than six years.
“The foods and treats we sell are all natural and contain no by-products, chemicals, preservatives or cancer-causing ingredients,” she said. “We are selective in what we put on the shelves – only the ‘best of the best.’”
The store carries 100-percent natural foods free of wheat, corn or soy; treats and chews; supplements; flea control products and pet accessories – even a wide selection of Halloween costumes. Many of the items it stocks help pet owners manage some of their pet’s health conditions, like itchy skin, chronic yeast and ear infections, excess weight or shedding, dry coat and diabetes. Tom says she gets daily proof from customers that pet ailments can be resolved with a holistic diet.
Kristine McCreery drives from Brandon to FishHawk almost weekly. She started feeding natural grain-free dog food to one of her dogs with severe allergies and says she wouldn’t go anyplace else for the needs of her two boxers and eight cats.
“The staff is so knowledgeable,” she said. “I love that I don’t have to do extensive research, they do it for me.”
Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman drives from South Tampa with her 5-year-old golden retriever, Rocky Top.
“I love Dog Gone Holistic because it offers grain-free, wholesome and natural dog food choices to keep my precious dog healthy and happy,” Murman said. “I can get his teeth cleaned, and they have a beautiful bathing area for dogs.”
Pets are benefiting from their owners’ commitment to a healthier lifestyle, Tom said.
“People are just eating better and want to take care of their pets too,” she said. “A lot of times, pets eat better than their owners!”
Dog Gone Holistic is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
For additional information, call (813) 651-0842 or visit www.doggoneholistic.biz.
Freelance writer Elaine Speer can be reached at elaine@elainespeer.com.
