Monica Shigenaga used to dress up her american staffordshire terriers, Coco and Jordan, because it seemed to make all three of them laugh. Soon she realized that well-designed apparel could solve canine problems as well. She created cooling vests to keep her show dogs from panting wildly during training sessions, and before long, she was also making dog-size muumuus, surf shorts, and aloha shirts. Since then, her canine fashions have appeared on runways in Japan and on the Today show in the United States. They can also be found in a boutique at Cocojor Emporium & Spaw, Monica’s upscale dog spa and boarding facility, which is named for her two beloved pups.
At the spa, dogs can visit groomers for stylish haircuts and baths featuring all-natural shampoos and conditioners. Here, dogs can try Monica’s other signature product: Micro Bubbles, a bath add-on that fizzes away dirt, dead skin, and odor-causing bacteria while massaging the pup’s skin. Nearby, pups can grab treats at the Barkery, where bakers handcraft organic biscuits and dog-friendly birthday cakes. Overnight guests and doggy-daycare clients can enjoy these snacks between naps, walks, games, and cuddles from the facility’s caring staff. To make stays at the spa as relaxing as possible, a chauffeur can pick up VIP visitors or sing them lullabies in their native howls and growls.
