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ice, it‘s true And the local man has put the skills he learned during his 26 years as a customer service director for Air Canada to good use at his new Global Pet Foods store in Waterâ€" loo. When the airline company offered him a severance package years ago, Kennedy, then in his late 40s, decided to pursue his interest: dogs. "I understand what good customer servâ€" ice is, and I think customers deserve it," said Kennedy. _ â€" ‘Three years ago he opened his first Globâ€" al Pet Foods franchise in Belmont Village in Kitchener. The popular store grew faster than the longtime area resident had expected, and he eventually decided to open a second locaâ€" tion, this time in Waterloo‘s University Downs Shopping Plaza. This store, located at the corner of Bridge Street and University Avenue, opened in March, and so far it‘s been well received by the public. * Going Global "I was looking for a great location, and when I found this space was vacant it seemed to be a gift from God in many respects because there‘s really not much in this part of Waterloo in terms of petâ€"food stores, and there‘s also Dogerloo, the leashâ€" free park, in Bechtel Park right across the street," he said. Waterloo‘s new Global Pet Foods store has something for every pet In fact, many shoppers stop by the shop after letting their dogs run free in the park. "It‘s only been three weeks, but I‘ve seen a lot of that already," he said. "It‘s going to be a neighbourhood store, but Dogerloo in Bechtel Park is drawing cityâ€" wide, so for a lot of people it‘s convenient for them if they‘re coming to Dogerloo on a regâ€" ular basis." All pets are welcome at Global Pet Foods. And they can expect to be greeted by Kennedy‘s friendly Doberman pinschers, Bogart and Macy. "They‘re used to it," he said about his pets, which are comfortable spending their days playing in the store. e "The big one was basically raised in a petâ€"food store," he said. "They‘re both very friendly. Macy follows people around and nudges them to pet her." The 2,550â€"squareâ€"foot shop, which is touted as a healthâ€"food store for pets, sells food for dogs, cats, small animals, birds and fish. "We tend to specialize in pet foods that don‘t have any byproducts, corn or wheat â€" so better quality ingredients for pet foods," Ithough it may sound like an oxyâ€" moron that the airline industry taught Doug Kennedy about customer servâ€" By Jennirer OrRMsTON _ Chronicle Staff Doug Kennedy recently opened a Global Pet Foods store in Waterloo in the University Downs Shopping Plaza. His friendly Doberman pinscher Bogart and Macy, greet customers there. & he said. "It‘s important because as the old adage goes, you are what you eat. It pertains to pets as well. ___________ s "So if they‘re eating better quality foods, then they stand a better chance to be in betâ€" ter health than if they eat let‘s say McDonâ€" ald‘s all the time." "Their overall health is determined, to a large degree, by what they actually eat. _ Kennedy recommends grainâ€"free dog and cat foods, which he said mimic the aniâ€" BUSINESS mals‘ natural highâ€"protein, lowâ€"carbohyâ€" drate diets. In addition to pet food, the store‘s shelves are filled will toys, accessories, leashes, colâ€" lars and more. Popular sellers so far are the American Kennel Club stuffed animals and the Skinâ€" neez plush toys without stuffing. _ â€" "And then, of course, there are the usual standbys," he said. â€" Global Pet Foods‘ wide selection and WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, April 16, 2008 * 19 service are what have attracted Cheryl Bis op, the owner of Elite Dog Training on Vict ria Street North in Kitchener a repeat cus tomer of the chain. d "You can‘t beat the Globals as far as I‘ concerned," she said. Waterloo‘s Global Pet Foods is open Mo: days and Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p. Wednesdays to Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. a Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. . IÂ¥" Columbic & Fischer Hallman _ Northheld & King FAMILY SPECIAL $209.’~. 747â€"7300 _ 67 888â€"9749 JENNIFER ORMSTON PHOT