According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (www.appma.org), Americans spent 38.6 billion dollars on their pets last year. This year alone, an estimated 16.1 billion will be spent on pet food in the United States.

In this growing pet care industry, it should come as no surprise that luxury and gourmet items are at the front of the trend. In Fayetteville, a new store called Just Dogs! Gourmet is providing the area with the specialty items dog owners are looking for.

“Everything we carry caters to the canine friend in your life,” owner Sharon Sapp says. Her doggie boutique stocks everything from edible treats to toys, accessories and cookie jars. Merchandise is displayed by theme; for the active dog, try something from the sports theme. For the dog that has everything, something from the “bling bling” section might be nice. There’s even a spa product line for keep your pooch looking his or her best.

Walking into Just Dogs! Gourmet, you might think you’ve stepped into a charming bakery. But these snacks are all for your dog. “Cookies” of every design fill the store’s glass bakery case and they are all made from 100 percent natural, human-grade ingredients. Sharon hand-decorates all these gourmet treats, and while flavors like peanut butter and raspberry truffle may surprise you, these delicious treats are all made with your dog in mind.

“This business gives me the ability to surround myself with my biggest passion in life,” Sharon says. “Whether it’s meeting the customer’s pets, educating people about the best nutrition and care of their dogs, or just having a conversation about the fun aspects of dog ownership, this business lets me make a living doing something that I love.”

Sharon enjoys educating people on issue pertaining to the canine world, such as health concerns, nutritional needs and the overwhelming problem of abandoned pets. She is an avid supporter of any organization that rescues unwanted dogs and is the proud owner of six dog obtained from various rescue organizations.

Sharon has enjoyed introducing her store to Fayette County, and residents have been just as happy to welcome the gourmet dog boutique. The store is dog-friendly and patrons are encouraged to bring in their furry friends. In addition to the retail items available, Just Dogs! Gourmet features a full-service grooming salon. Daniel and Donna Warren, along with their dogs Bailey, Bear and Max are some of the loyal customers who have discovered the store. Sharon says the “four-legged Warrens” are enthusiastic fans of the edible treats and Donna and Daniel appreciate the grooming their pups have received.

Nancy Paul, the store’s groomer, has been working with dogs from over 25 years. With a background as an all-breed professional dog handler at both Canadian and US shows, Nancy provides the grooming techniques that go well beyond the average pet groomer.

In fact, going above and beyond is what Just Dogs! Gourmet is all about. “We’re not just another pet supply store,” Sharon says. “Our unique treats and specialty items combined with a staff experienced in caring for dogs allows us to truly know how to enrich your dog’s life.” Man’s best friend deserves nothing less.

Just Dogs! Gourmet is located at 840 Glynn Street South, Suite 368, in the Summit Point shopping center in Fayetteville. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 770-460-4808.