In the modern domesticated world, animal companions are a phenomenon that often boggles me with complex riddles of evolution and human psychology. No other species has evolved the need for interspecies companionship, (excluding parasites) and it is fascinating if we see the types of species that have evolved to meet the challenge of existing in the human world.



For a long time our co-domesticated friends have had a rough go, much of the food that is available at the grocery store is full of what our Food and Drug Administration has titled “by-product”, which can be anything from newspaper to beaks, feathers, leather shoes and even other domestic animals (sometimes same species as the one you are feeding) euthanazied at what are called “high kill” animal shelters.



Soylent Green is made of people, and sometimes dog chow is made of dogs, eww. 



Luckily there are alternatives to feeding your animals old shoes and their relatives. In fact, right here in downtown Tacoma you can buy all natural “human grade” pet foods at regionally owned Next To Nature, which recently moved from Pacific Avenue to 1624 Tacoma Ave.

Open in Tacoma for nearly five years, the girls at Next To Nature, Catelin and Deja, told me that the first three years of business was spent educating their customers about the difference between their products and what you can find at most grocery stores. 



This pet-friendly and eco-friendly store is owned by a West Seattle couple named Bea Gombart-Mark and Cliff Mark, who are dedicated to providing healthful alternative foods for your beloved animal companions. “They do extensive research before carrying any products, everything here is all natural and most of it is even organic,” Catelin told me. “We also have the best customer service. If we don’t know something, we will get your information and get answers to you when we have researched your question.” 



Next To Nature is also involved in many different animal welfare and rescue operations and carries an extensive collection of preventative natural pet medicine as well as remedies for existing pet problems. The store is huge, they have everything from toys to fancy cat drinking fountains, not to mention a case full of snooty chocolate treats your pets will probably never understand why you purchased but love anyway. I tried some of the cat treats, and it reminded me of a past life. Everything about this place is feel-good, it even smells nice inside, which to me is a good sign.



Wanna rub elbows with other pet freaks? Deja and Catelin suggest going to Woofstock ‘08, Aug. 3 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Todd Field on the UPS Campus, 1500 N. Warner St. in Tacoma. 



[Next To Nature, 1624 Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.8141]