Q: What is Pet Parkway?
A: Pet Parkway is a unique e-commerce store. We sell fun pet items such as picture frames, suncatchers, stuffed animals, t-shirts, mugs, coasters, umbrellas, wind chimes, key chains, signs, bobble heads, and much more in over 100 breeds of dogs, plus many cat, bird, and horse items. We even have "mutt" items. We also have many non-stock items that can be special ordered.

Q: What led you to start Pet Parkway?
A: A love of animals! My first job was working as a pet store manager in Mansfield, OH. My husband’s Navy service took us to Virginia Beach. There, I completed my degree, and started my career as a buyer and catalog designer for a mail order pet supply company called Care-A-Lot. I worked there for seven enjoyable years, and fell in love with the area. However, after our first child arrived, we decided to move back to Ohio to be closer to family and friends. I started working as a marketing coordinator, but I never gave up my passion for the pet industry. It occured to me that there is not a good selection of breed-specific gift items in this area. After several pet trade shows and countless hours deciding what items to offer, Pet Parkway was open for business.

Q. What are your most popular items and breeds?
It is hard to pick just a few, but customers really love the dog breed socks and the ledge/door toppers. Chihuahua, Boxer, and Bulldog are the most requested breeds. However, people with rare breeds get the most excited when they see our selection, because they usually have such trouble finding things in their breed.

Q: What is your favorite part of running Pet Parkway?
A: The enjoyment people get from our merchandise. As one customer said, "This must be a fun place to work, because everyone who comes in here is always smiling and laughing".

We also have a great time meeting and getting to know fellow animal lovers. It is extremely enjoyable forming new relationships with our customers.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge?
A: Running out of stock! With over 100 breeds, inventory can be tricky. However, the companies we order from usually ship within a few days, so it usually doesn’t take long to re-stock if we do run out.

Q: Are there any pets in your family?
A: Of course! We currently have a Whippet. We also have a fond memory of our first pets, a Basenji (a barkless dog) and a mitten-toed cat.