Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/333353
C M Y K C arla Scramstad has good reason to be enamoured of the dock at Canvasback Pet & Tack Supplies' new 11,000-square- foot facility off Hwy 44. "In our old location, we stored our food products in 10 garages. When a supply truck arrived, we'd unload each bag individually," says Carla, who started to work in the family business at eight years of age. "It was intensive, especially on cold winter days." Canvasback's new building has a large loading dock at the rear, where semis can back in and be unloaded by forklift. The company was started in 1958 by John Sellen, a field dog trainer who invented a durable training dummy made of canvas and cork that held a scent for a long time. Orders for the dummy began to pour in when other trainers caught wind of its unique qualities, and Canvasback was launched. In 1992, Cliff and Colleen Scramstad bought the business from Sellen, operating it from an acreage on Kirkness road that included their home and a retail store. "When we bought the business, we sold about five varieties of dog and cat food as well as accessories like leashes, bowls and tack for horses," says Colleen, accountant, merchandise manager and "whip-cracker." Today, there are more than 100 types of dog and cat kibble, numerous canned foods as well as fresh-frozen food such as rabbit, duck, llama, lamb, salmon and vegetable and fruit patties. "We also sell a lot of bird seed, from black sunflower to finch, canary, cockatiel nyjer thistle and wild bird assortments," Carla says. The company stocks more than 10,000 items for animals from canines and felines to equines and bovines and more, with specialty products like dog shelters that can be pulled behind a bicycle. The Hound-About trailer looks like a trailer for young children, with screened windows, waterproof coverings and lots of storage pockets for goodies. Another popular product is a safety dog walker for cyclists. A steel arm that protrudes from one side of the bike is bolted to the frame and contains an elastic leash that will expand and contract with the dog's gait. "If your dog spots a squirrel, there is a quick- release mechanism that ensures that you don't follow your pet into the underbrush or through a person's garden," Carla says. Special harnesses are available for dog sledding and skijoring, a cross-country sport in which a single dog pulls its master over snowy trails. And cat carriers come in many designs, including bicycle panniers, body slings and small sleds that are pulled by the owner. Carolyne Scramstad is the family member in charge of horse gear, which makes sense as she loves horses and rides two of her own — quarter- horse Blossom and gelded thoroughbred Fidler. "We carry a large collection of saddles, bridles, reins, halters and headgear, to name a few items," Carolyne says. Manitoba has a large equine community and there are shows weekly during the summer in Birds Hill and Brandon. This year, Canvasback is stocking ladies' riding breeches by Equine Couture that retail for about $90. "These are specific to English-style riding. Western-style has its own clothing and tack so when you are showing a horse you must be outfitted in the proper attire," Carolyne says. Cliff Scramstad is the company's Pr man, regaling clients with humourous stories, especially during "tailgate parties." Colleen says he knows most of the customers by name. The facility has fenced runs so people can leave their pets with two full-time trainers at Doggy Daycare, a new service launched on June 9. Grooming services are provided by The Hairy Barber, who works in a bright room complete with a bathtub that will accommodate breeds from small poodles to large Newfies. Services include a deluxe full-body clipping, ear cleaning and shampoo, or do-it-yourselfers can rent the tub for $15 per hour. "All the animals leave with a bow tie from the barber," Carla says. Visit the store online at canvasbackpets.com. ❙ WINNIPEG FrEE PrESS, SATurDAY JuNE 21, 2014 7 C A N V A S B A C K animal fiRm Family business gets new home By David Square For the Free Press It may seem a bit odd, but an owner of a pet-supply store that was recently moved to a new location near Lockport is "in love with the loading dock." CUSTOM HOME SPECIALISTS BonnetWood HomesInc. DIVISIONOF R & L Construction WEBUILDYOURDREAMS •R-2000Builder •ConventionalHomes •Log&HybridHomes •Timber&LogAccents ray@bonnetwoodhomes.com www.bonnetwoodhomes.com 699Hwy.502,LacduBonnet,MB 204-345-9647 PR304Powerview-PineFalls 204-228-2085 SupplyingManitoba'sReady-Mix ConcreteNeedsSince1965 Niverville:(204)388-4635 Steinbach:(204)326-1319 OakBluff:(204)895-1412 PortagelaPrairie:(204)857-3838 Over49YearsExperience•40GPSDispatchedTrucks FullyModern22,500sq.ft. FOODSTORE •GreatService&Selection •CompetitivePrices •FreshIn-StoreBakery •Deli •Meat •Produce •Grocery •FrozenFoods •LotteryTickets StoreHours: Monday-Friday9a.m.-9p.m. Saturday9a.m.-7p.m. Sunday9a.m.-6p.m. 11LarameeDrive,Box149 LoretteMBR0A0Y0 Ph:(204)878-2510 Fax(204)878-4159 atLorette Windshield& CollisionExperts LifetimeNorthAmerican RefinishWarranty Owner-FerdKlassen Phone:388-4657 Fax:388-4394 www.nivervilleautobody.ca 220MainSt.,Niverville,MB FreeCourtesyCarWithAllAutopacRepairs NivervilleAutoBodyLtd. 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