PetSmart

Animals are more than just housemates. They are related. When we see our favorite dog's tail wagging, we all know the irreplaceable, unwavering affection we experience. We are here to keep our families together, so we are aware of the crippling terror that results when they don't return. Yes, modern technology may offer to aid in that endeavor. 

Vicki founded Natural Pet NW in 1998 thanks to her gorgeous Lab, Wally. Numerous health problems can result from poor nutrition. I quickly discovered that the pet food industry is a "by-product" industry where all the substances "not suited for humans" are allowed to be included in a bag of pet food. That occurred in 1998. There were not many high-quality pet foods available at the time. The rules of the industry have not altered much, but we now have a wide selection of excellent pet meals to offer our consumers.

Early on, Mud Bay offered a small selection of almost everything, including locally produced hog feed, fertilizer, hay, pop tarts, and folk art. The shop also suffered a loss. Lars, Elsa's son, joined Mud Bay as its third employee in 1989 after realizing that his mother couldn't afford for the company to fail. In 1993, Marisa, Elsa's youngest child and a recent MBA graduate from Holland, returned and joined the effort.