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From Sally's
Desk...
Longwood Gardens
Gwen and I are so different. I like a variety
of music. Gwen thinks the only good music is Gospel, Country
or 50's music. I love instrumentals, Reggae, smooth jazz and
soft rock, Kenny G, John Tesh and Yanni. Yes, I like Gospel and
Country too, and the 50's stuff (after all, I grew up with the
Beatles). But, I find I now have more sophisticated tastes.
When it comes to visiting a museum, Gwen
would rather shop. If I suggest a concert, Gwen turns up her
nose. I once forced her into seeing Michael Flatley's Lord of
the Dance in Vegas. She called it "watching toe tappers
for three hours" and said she couldn't stand "the weird
little fairy." I explained that he was a magical genie in
the story, but it fell on deaf ears.
So it was not a surprise that Gwen balked
at the idea of taking the staff on an outing to Longwood Gardens
for a special Christmas event. I knew that walking through a
conservatory of plants was not going to bode well as a fun time
in Gwen's book, but our sophisticated staff of mostly women,
liked the idea. Gwen would go, and find a way to make the most
of it.
We drove through the iron ornamental gates
and parked. After paying for admission, we entered the beautiful
manicured winter gardens for a long walk to the Conservatory
where most of the events and plants were. A sign directed us
to the "Christmas Tree Walk," a special pathway to
see all the season's splendor inside the heated greenhouses.
Judy, Joyce, Pattie and Emily quickly fell behind us as they
stopped to admire Poinsettias and Amaryllis in bloom. It would
clearly be a long walk for Gwen.
She turned around to find them all lingering
ten feet inside the door. They were gazing at acres of indoor
gardens blooming in the midst of winter. If they were going to
stop every couple of feet, it would clearly take a long time
to get through this wonderland of Poinsettias, snapdragons, and
fragrant narcissi as they formed rivers of red through drifts
of floral snow, as promised in the Garden's literature. And it
did.
These gals were definitely smitten by the
color and variety. Gwen was bored. What could she do? She looked
at what they looked at. But, she didn't get it. Then she read
one of the numerous bonze plant details identifying the specimens.
Perhaps reading these plaques would get her through this boring
adventure.
She read out loud for all of us about how
Six living wreaths offer a new interpretation of holiday evergreens,
with bromeliads, succulents, orchids, begonias, poinsettias and
lilies planted in large moss-stuffed frames, would lead us on
this inspirational path.
As we rounded a corner to see the magnificent
Christmas Tree in a reflecting pool, Gwen spouted out that we
should notice the "Douglas fir as it rises to meet the vaulted
ceiling. Adorned with sparkling red ornaments, the tree is 'skirted'
with concentric rings of 200 fountain jets spouting up from the
waters below."
It was obvious she wasn't going to quit as she disturbed the
solemnity of this
tranquil place.
I pointed out to Judy the beautiful Ponderosa
Pine Cones bedecking the huge Christmas tree. I knew this variety
of pinecone because my Mother was a part-time florist who purchased
these from "out West" for Christmas wreaths.
"Ahh, Ahh, Ahh," Gwen scolded.
"I'm not sure they are Ponderosa pine cones" as she
went hunting for a plaque. "Etched crystal ornaments and
sparkling pine cones hang from the shimmering boughs," said
Gwen. "Says nothing of pine cones from the Ponderosa!"
she said with her hands on her hips.
"No, Gwen," I said, "They
weren't from the Ponderosa (of TV's Bonanza fame). They are from
Ponderosa Pines big pine trees out west." I guess she thought
that Ben Cartwright was mailing pinecones to my mother. For Gwen's
sake, we concluded they were from a Sparkling Pine, as the plaque
stated. She was becoming annoying and we knew that she wouldn't
relent until we agreed.
Pattie, who had previously worked as a
florist, was taken by the Red Cestrum,
a medium bush with red tubular flowers. But she clearly didn't
understand why it looked so unusual. She stood back, rubbed her
chin, and stared at the bush with a puzzled look. She walked
this way and looked that way, as any Cestrum fancier would.
"I don't think that looks like a Red
Cestrum," she said to Gwen. Gwen stood beside her and scratched
her chin, too, and pondered the bush in question. Pattie quickly
determined that it was grafted onto another trunk giving it an
upright appearance, after finding another Red Cestrum in its
natural state. Gwen agreed wholeheartedly, as she followed Pattie's
path from Cestrum to Cestrum.
But it was the next group of plants that
really broke me up. We arrived in another building sporting yet
another genus of plant proliferations. I pointed out an unusual
group of ground covers, to no one in particular. I am partial
to grasses. Gwen went to look at the unusual variety of brown
straight stemmed plants, that I was admiring. "Brown Creeping
Sedge," read Gwen. "From the Sedge Family," she
added for my edification.
"What's the likelihood of that?"
she questioned.
"What?" I inquired, not really
wanting to know.
"That the Sedges gave the Sedge plants to the Conservatory,"
said Gwen.
"I don't think the Sedges gave them
the plants, Gwen," I said. "I think it means that it
is a member of the genus of Sedge or family of plants known as
Sedges."
"I don't know about that," she
continued. But she had to finally admit I was right when she
met ferns from the Fern Family and grasses from the Grass Family.
We traveled by the Orchids, which she took
a shine to, and some palms. And we looked at tropical gardens
and Christmas trees decorated by local elementary schools. Gwen
was seriously taking this all in now. There was hope for a culture
burst in Gwen, after all.
Then we rounded a corner. There stood a
magnificent Bird of Paradise plant. It was more like a large
bush. Gwen was quiet as she pondered it. I sauntered up beside
her.
A flash of delight crossed her face. "I
expect to see Bruce leaping out of that bush," she stated
flatly. How in the heck did she see her husband in a Bird of
Paradise bush, I wondered.
"Oh, is that what he calls it?" I blurted out. We quickly
moved on. I knew that I really didn't want to go there.
Towards the end of the tour, I stopped
to admire a huge wreath made out of cacti hanging on the wall.
"Oh look a that," I said, as I tilted my head back
to take in the huge eight foot high magnificent display.
"It's a Living Wreath of Succulents,"
said Gwen as she leaned back to read the plaque beside it, and
with that I noticed the exit door. Our cultured minds would be
saved from Gwen's relentless bits of edification.
We walked into the brisk winter air. Behind
us, the "stately amaryllis and lilies lifted their trumpets
and mingled with bevies of cyclamens, primroses, and scarlet
plumes," for the next passers-by.
We were sad to go, but were happy that
we had been enhanced by Gwen's proliferate diatribes of seemingly
silly commentaries to the fineries of the ornamental garden,
and would perhaps return with her at an appointed time of tranquility
to visit in another season of sensuous blooms.
Did you find anything you really liked,
I asked Gwen on the way home. "Yeah, I liked the Bonsai
trees," she acknowledged. I love Bonsai, too. Perhaps we
should call Jarbas Godoy and have him give us a lesson or two.
He is a Bonsai master when he isn't speaking at Groom Expo or
making millions as "the highest paid groomer in the country."
Perhaps we will return again to Longwood.
"We will welcome the illusion that spring begins in January.
Coaxed into bloom by gifted gardeners, we will enjoy sweetly
scented freesias as they perfume the warm air, while the aroma
of freshly mown grass triggers fleeting thoughts of garden chores."
I can't wait for that time and perhaps
we will leave Gwen at home.
With that, I must bid ado and wish you
a Happy and Paws-perous New Year. God bless you.
Sally
sally@barkleigh.com
Suesan Watson and Lisa Leady
Dynamic Dedicated Duo
By Kathy Hosler
These phenomenal sisters have wowed
the grooming world with their awesome grooming expertise, endearing
personalities and their boundless love for the pet care industry
and the people involved in it.
Next time you watch a grooming competition,
if you see a competitor with a big smile on her face and an attitude
that tells you she just loves what she is doing, you may be watching
the amazing Suesan Watson (Wahl's and Cardinal 2003 Groomer of
the Year), or it may be her equally talented and bubbly sister,
Lisa Leady (2003 Cardinal Congeniality Award winner).
These phenomenal sisters have wowed the grooming world with their
awesome grooming expertise, endearing personalities and their
boundless love for the pet care industry and the people involved
in it.
Sue and Lisa have only been competing for
six years, but they have been involved with dogs and grooming
for most of their lives. "Being in a grooming shop has always
been a part of my life," Lisa recalls, fondly. "Our
grandmother, Betty Halesky, learned to groom Poodles, and subsequently
opened her own small shop. Little by little, we learned how to
bath and dry dogs and do other things by watching our grandmother."
"By the time I was thirteen, I was
fully grooming Poodles," Suesan reveals.
Eager to expand their skills, Sue and Lisa
learned how to groom other breeds by going to dog shows and observing
how the dogs were groomed and by buying books.
Eventually, Lisa opened her own business,
Chez Paws, Inc. in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and about six months
later Suesan joined to help her. "Not only is Sue my sister,"
beams Lisa. "She is my best friend, too!"
The girls made a great team and worked
well together. It was Lisa's idea to enter grooming contests.
She and Lisa were at the shop one afternoon when the program
book for the All American Show in Chicago came. Lisa said, "I
think we should enter the show." Sue replied, "Oh,
I don't know. It's a big show, a hard competition, and lots of
famous people enter the contests." Not to be put off, Lisa
coaxed, "Well, we can enter at the beginners' level and
see what we can do." So, they entered the competition.
As the time arrived for their competition,
Lisa became just a bit nervous. "Oh, my gosh! Nervous?"
Lisa recalls. "It was like I was at my own funeral. I was
so scared, but it was a blast! I wanted to do it again."
Both Lisa and Sue did very well, and each
of them placed in their respective classes. Soon they were hooked.
The excitement, the desire to create perfection, the wonderful
people they met at the competitions, and the contest atmosphere
Sue and Lisa just loved! Now the minute a show comes up, they
get all excited and start making plans and deciding what dogs
they will enter.
The girls often compete in the same classes,
but they are quick to point out, "We don't feel that we
ever compete against each other. Instead, we compete with each
other."
After they had been competing for a while,
Sue and Lisa kept seeing some people with "those neat jackets
with the Groom Team USA emblem on them." They began to ask
questions and learned that you can only get a jacket if you earn
a spot on the Groom Team.
So, that became a goal for both of them.
Getting on Groom Team is not an easy thing to accomplish. You
get on the team by earning points at grooming competitions. "Striving
to become a member of Groom Team pushes you to become a better
groomer," states Lisa.
That goal encouraged them to take their
grooming to a new level, honing their skills and perfecting their
techniques, pushing themselves toward perfection. "I could
see that groomers in these contests groomed differently than
I did," Lisa observed. "It was a better way, and I
wanted to learn it. I figured the best way to learn was to enter
the contests and ask for help."
"Win or lose," Lisa continues,
"I don't leave any competition without asking what I need
to do to improve. I always walk away learning more than I did
going into the contest."
All those wins don't come easily. Sue and
Lisa work very hard preparing themselves and their contest dogs
for each competition. "I make lists and drive myself crazy,"
Lisa shares. "I am also my worst enemy," she admits.
"I am very hard on myself and always expect myself to do
better," she continues. "Because, if I don't strive
to improve, then why am I there?" Lisa firmly believes that
groomers require top-notch continuing education, and she emphasizes
the need for grooming contests and seminars.
Sue and Lisa worked together for almost
ten years, and although they loved what they were doing and truly
enjoyed working together, they both felt the need to expand and
to explore other areas of the grooming world.
After researching mobile groomers in her
area, Sue decided to open her own mobile grooming business. In
June of 2003, Best All Around Groomer mobile grooming service
in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, opened for business.
"Mobile grooming gives me a chance
to give more personalized service to my clients," Sue states
and continues, "We have lots of clients with older dogs
or puppies that are concerned with leaving them for extended
periods of time in a salon," Sue has already reached the
point where she cannot take any new clients.
Thirty-five years in the grooming industry
has certainly molded Certified Master Groomer, Suesan Watson,
into an industry icon. What else does the future hold for Suesan
Watson? "The future? Hmmm, I think that it is almost time
for me to stop competing and enter other aspects of the dog world,"
she states, and continues, "I want to start judging competition,
do more speaking, conduct demos, and help the people who want
to learn more. I have to admit that the one thing I won't miss
about competing," says Sue with a hearty chuckle, "is
getting up in the middle of the night to prepare the dogs for
a competition."
Lisa, also a Certified Master Groomer,
felt drawn toward the teaching part of the grooming industry.
"To me, teaching allows me to give back to the industry
what people have given to me," says Lisa. "I decided
to sell my shop and teach full time." She is now a head
instructor at the Academy of Dog Grooming Arts, in Arlington
Heights, Illinois.
Lisa takes students with a love for pets
and a desire to learn, and molds them into caring, knowledgeable,
and skilled professionals. Lisa shares all her life lessons with
her students and with everyone she touches. She gives her all
for the betterment of the industry that she loves so much.
"As for my future," continues
Lisa, "eventually I may judge, but for now, competing is
very important. There is still so much more to learn. If I don't
stay out there, I'm not going to learn it."
On February 7, 2004, at the Westminster
Dog Show, Dog World's 49th Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards
were presented. The Wahl 2003 Groomer of the Year Award was presented
to a thrilled Suesan E. Watson. Suesan has been a member of Groom
Team for the last four years. She was in the top five every year,
finishing in third position in 2002. During 2002 and 2003 Suesan
won three humanitarian awards for Kindness and Good Rapport with
the dogs at the competitions. She also captured the Cardinal
Crystal Grooming Achievement Award for American Groomer of the
Year in 2002 and 2003.
Lisa is no stranger to awards either. Qualifying
for a fourth year as a Groom Team member is proof of that. In
2002, she was nominated, and in 2003, she won the Cardinal Crystal
Congeniality Award. Lisa has had many honors and awards in her
career, but says Lisa, "This award is very important to
me, because of what the award stands for. It is a great, great
honor."
These inspirational sisters have earned
many spectacular awards and have collected countless medals,
trophies and ribbons. Lisa Leady and Suesan Watson are prime
examples of what every good groomer strives to be. They lead
by example. Their clients (both two and four-legged) adore them,
their peers respect and emulate them, and the industry treasures
and honors them. They are a dynamic duo indeed!
Grooming Competition
Winners
GroomOlympics World Champion
Level 3 Julie Wilkins
Level 2 Francie Penn Best In Show
Level 1 Rhonda Landolfi Best In Show
(T) Technical, (P) Profile, (D) Difficulty,
(BIC) Best In Class
Poodles
Level 3: BIC-Julie Wilkins;T-Julie Wilkins;
P-Vero Da Sylva; D-Diane Betelak
Level 2: BIC-Julie Waltman;T-Rose Marie
Cabanna;
P-Julie Waltman; D-Annette Guerrier
Level 1: BIC-Christy Nelson; T-Antonio
Morales;
P-Christy Nelson; D-Debbie Slocum
Sporting
Level 3: BIC-Julie Wilkins; P-Julie Wilkins;
D-Jodie Murphy
Level 2: BIC-Francie Penn; T-Francie Penn
P-Barbara Scott; D-Janet Lostale
Level 1: BIC-Lindsey Berry; T-Lindsey Berry;
P-Stacey Kelly; D-Laura Ford
Terriers
Level 3: BIC-Cheryl Purcell; T-Jodi Murphy;
P-Vero Da Sylva; D-Cheryl Purcell
Level 2: BIC-Nicole Murphy; T-Nicole Murphy;
P-Annette Guerrier; D-Irina Phillips
Level 1: BIC-Rhonda Landolfi; T-Lindsey
Berry;
P-Rhonda Landolfi; D-Dorothy Carwile
Mixed and Other Purebreds
Level 3: BIC-Maximiliano Gravina; T-Yoshie Shouse; P-Maximiliano
Gravina; D-Cheryl Purcell
Level 2: BIC-Francie Penn; T-Francie Penn;
P-Liz Hanley; D-Gloria Novatny
Level 1: BIC-Lesley Nagle; T-Belinda Tang;
P-Carol Basta; D-Lesley Nagle
Best Rapport
Marie Smith
Best Image
Jody Murphy
Selwyn Mendelsohn Award
Irina J. Phillips
Winners Circle Champion
Vero Da Sylva
Triple Crown Winner
Vero Da Sylva
Creative Styling Champion
(Level 3) Barbara Zirk, (Level 2) Mari Dancouse, (Level 1) Angela
Mackey
(People's Choice) Annette Gurrier
Clip 'N Go Mobile Grooming Contest
(Level 3) Julie Wilkins (Level 2) Gloria Novatny (Glitz) Lisa
Kloid
Furminator Big Hairy Dog Champion
(Level 3) Melissa Rearick, (Level 2) Denise Post, (Level 1) Cindy
Crandall
High in Trial Combined Events Trophy
Peggy Singletary
Groom Expo Freestyle Invitational
Eileen Hoyson, Joan Rose, Diane Kowalski
Groom Expo 2004
GroomOlympic© Winners
Julie Wilkinson Claims PETsMART
GroomOlympics Championship!
Julie Wilkinson, of Best in Show Mobile Dog Grooming, in Gloucester,
Massachusetts, captured the GroomOlympics World Championship
at Groom Expo, held recently in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She received
$5,000.00 from PETsMART, championship sponsor.
The contests, sanctioned by The International Judges Association,
boasted over seventy-five contestants competing in four classes.
Grooming was judged on three levels. Judges for the event included
Judy Bremer-Taxman, Judy Breton, Teri Di Marino, Jarbas Godoy,
Karin Kretschmer, Judy Kurpiel, Kathy Rose, Marea Tully, Joey
Villani, Tanya Nash and John and Vivian Nash.
Winner of Best in Show, Level 2 was Francie Penn, of Pet Styling
by Francie, in Jackson, Michigan. Her prize totaled $2,500.00
from PETsMART.
Rhonda Landolfi, of Pawprints Dog & Cat Grooming in Franklin,
New Jersey, won $1,000.00 for her Level 1 Best in Show win!
Marie Smith captured the Best Rapport Award offered by International
Professional Groomers, Inc. and Jody Murphy was offered the Lange
Apparel Best Image Award. Irina J. Phillips was selected for
the Selwyn Mendelsohn Award.
More Groom Expo
Winners
Melissa Rearick of Pet Styling
by Francie, in Jackson, Michigan, became the first FURminator
World Champion in the Big Hairy Dog Contest, and won $1000.00
from Furminator, Inc. The winner in this unique contest had to
remove the most amount of dead undercoat in fifteen minutes.
Other exciting events were the PETCO
Dancing with Dogs Tournament held for two days in the Off Lead
Training Arena. A $500 award and trophy was presented on Saturday
evening to Peggy Singletary.
Wag'n Tails Mobile Grooming
Conversion Clip n' Go Contest winner,
Julie Wilkins of Best in Show Mobile Dog Grooming, in Gloucester,
Massachusetts, received $1,000.00 for her record time win, as
she bathed, fluffed and groomed her canine in her mobile van.
All Natural
Skin and Coat Products
Groomer's Secret introduces their
All Natural line of skin and coat products. Developed and ulitized
by professional groomers, Groomer's Secret will bring the pet
industry back to the basics of natural balance with help from
Mother Nature. Blended with only pure essential oils and replacing
lost lipids using Natural Organic Silk, Groomer's Secret safely
cleans, yet replenishes, using select healing agents from Mother
Nature. There are five simply natural combinations, without harsh
dyes or synthetic perfumes, to properly clean every skin and
coat type.
It's sold as the only all natural 16 ounce
retail concentrate, changing the way pet owners care for their
dog.
For more information, please request Reader Service #1440.
Groom and Kennel Expo '05
If you thought Groom & Kennel
Expo was great last year, wait until you hear what we are doing
now. We are expanding the show tremendously! It will combine
all the professional aspects of pet care grooming, animal behavior,
day care, natural pet health and training! Four great shows in
one Groom & Kennel Expo, Natural Pet Expo and Off Lead Training
Expo with a side-chaser of the Animal Behavior Conference.
Laube Factory and Solvang
The show will kick off with a bus trip along the beautiful California
coast to the Laube manufacturing plant in Oxnard to see clippers
and blades, and shampoo and conditioners being made right before
your eyes. Then it is on to Solvang, the "Danish Capital"
of America. Visit loads of unique shops and eateries.
Thursday at the Hotel
We will be offering four hour Add-on seminars Brusher Bather
Certificate Seminar, Doggie Daycare Keys to Success, and
an all-new Oster Career Academy which will feature the Oster
Ambassadors. Bring a dog and work on your problem areas.
Fun & Learning on Friday
There will be an IPG Certification and Workshop Seminar, and
you can see the Lambert Kay Sporting and Intertex Terrier Grooming
Tournaments both IJA and GroomTeam sanctioned. Marlene Romani
will present Everyday Grooming, including down and dirty dog
grooming.
Gary Wilkes, renowned animal behaviorist, will offer a four hour
Animal Behavior Conference.
Mobile Open House on Friday
A big Mobile Grooming Open House is planned. See how this industry
is growing and enjoying "grooming on the road." Mobilers,
Bring your van and show it off.
More Educational Opportunities
Divinity Libby will answer the question, Is There Life After
Grooming? If you'd rather not groom dogs into and beyond your
golden years, you'll want to learn how to structure your business
in such a way that you get every dime it's worth when you sell
it. Rocky Boatman of Petco will present Dog Training Add-On Moneymaker
and Partnering Opportunity For Pet Pros and Trainers.
Grooming and More!
Saturday's program will include the PetEdge Mixed & Other
Purebreds and the Andis Poodle Tournament. Greg Tilford and Dr.
E. A. Sulkowski will present natural programs and Gary Wilkes
will deliver a training program. Sue Zecco, a grooming legend,
will demonstrate multi-breed grooming techniques. Saturday evening
will feature the Hollywood by Night bus tour.
Sunday grooming events will kick off with
the Nature's Specialties Winner Circle Tournament, followed by
the Barkleigh Creative Styling Contest. In between, Teri DiMarino
will present grooming programs, Sue Zecco will demo grooming
techniques, and sensational natural and training programs are
scheduled.
Host Hotel
Make your reservations now at the Hilton Burbank Airport. Call
1-800-HILTONS. Special group room rates are $99 single/double
and Junior Suites are $124. Additional persons are $20 each.
Tell them you are with Barkleigh to get the special rate.
For contestant and show information, contact Barkleigh at (717)
691-3388 or info@barkleigh.com. Request Reader
Service Card #1416.
Ea$y Money - Groomers Have the Advantage
in Retailing
Catherine J. Crawmer
Most everyone is familiar with the point of purchase and impulse
type of purchases that most retailers depend upon. Essentially,
the retailer does everything he can to attract the customer to
the product in any way he can. The success of most forms of retailing
depends strongly upon the customer recognizing the product as
something that he needs or wants for his pet. Some pet owners,
although statistically very few, may bring their animal to a
pet shop. Most pet owners appear without the pet, make their
purchases and are on their way. Regular clientele, while familiar
to the establishment, are making purchases for an animal that
the business will never see, let alone see on a regular basis.
The professional groomer is very familiar with the pet, often
to the point of instant on-sight recognition. This one unique
aspect of the groomer/client relationship lends itself to retail
profits. Unfortunately, this advantage is either ignored by groomers
or underutilized. Recognizing this inherent opportunity and organizing
a systematic plan to meet retailing objectives makes a lot of
fiscal sense. While each business is going to be different, there
are some aspects of the client/groomer relationship that all
groomers share.
You see the pet. You know what he looks like. Is he fat or
thin? Maybe he would benefit from a new diet, a vitamin, a coat
conditioner or a particular shampoo? Does he need to have his
nails cut more often? If the owner is able to do this, what equipment
does he need? How about a new brush or comb?
The owner tells you about the pet. Does the pet have any problems?
Would a housebreaking spray or pad be a good idea? Does the pet
have preferences? If he likes toys with a squeaking noise, you
can show the client the latest models available. Maybe he likes
to look out the window when he rides in the car. How about a
new car seat or a safety harness?
You can create your own market by recommending things that
the owner never thought of. You can suggest coats and sweaters
for various seasons of the year and outfits for holidays and
special occasions. You have a unique opportunity to connect with
the client. What could be a better marketing tool than to be
able to be able to have the pet try on an article of clothing?
Statements like, "I have the perfect outfit for Fiji. Wait
until you see what just came in! It was just made for her!"
You demonstrate your personal interest in the client by showing
him that you have been thinking about his pet.
Collars and leads are big sellers. With all the money a client
spends on pet grooming, it is amazing how many bring a dog into
a grooming establishment with the worst looking collars and lead.
Some of these may be very dirty, old or totally inappropriate.
It is not unusual to have a dog come in with a lead attached
to a flea collar or a telephone cord wrapped around a dog's neck.
Collars may be too big, allowing the dog to back out of it, especially
after the grooming when the hair around the neck will be shorter.
Owners can be encouraged to have a number of collar styles for
various seasons of the year and various special situations. It
is amazing how easy it is to sell a collar and matching lead
by just mentioning the idea to a client.
The owner often has plans that he makes you aware of. Is the
owner going on a trip? Wouldn't some travel equipment be useful
in making the trip more comfortable and safe? How about a folding
ex-pen? You can recommend a travel cage for the hotel. Would
a tie-out line be a good idea? Is the pet going to an area where
there might be fleas or ticks? Might other dogs bother him when
the client walks him? The client may be interested in a dog deterrent
to protect his pet from other dogs that may aggressively approach
him.
What other problems or situations might be encountered by
the client and the client's pet? Does the pet have adequate identification?
What if he was to get away? It might be wise to get an ID tag.
If your salon does tattooing, might this be a good time to get
it done?
It may take a period of time to change or modify the intake process
you are currently utilizing in your grooming shop. Without a
doubt, this is the point where the most important retail opportunities
present themselves. You can expect to train your employees. You
may even have to change your own attitude toward sales. Keep
in mind the reasons you are in business. Selling is part of business
and no business will be successful without it.
The owner will provide most of the information you need to
make a sale. Listen carefully, with the owner's interests and
your objectives in mind. Ask questions! Gather information! Properly
done, the recommendation of products by you, the professional,
can result in a win-win situation for both you and your client.
Catherine is the author of Here Kitty Kitty; Catherine
Crawmer on Training Cats. She is the trainer who introduced
the world to cat agility training!
Catherine's book is for the pet owner and professional alike.
Training fascinating behaviors to any cat from innovative solutions
for problem correction to advanced show presentations is in this
book. Request Reader Service Card #1444.
Puppy Tab
Supplement
Nutri-Vet Nutritionals launches
Puppy-Tab, a supplemental dietary source of essential taurine,
B complex vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals for growing puppies.
It contains red raspberry, a rich source of calcium, iron, phosphorous
and potassium as well as valuable amounts of vitamins A, C and
E, magnesium and selenium. PuppyTab is available in 60 count
liver-flavored chewables.
For more information please Request Reader
service #1432.
Small Retailers
Program
Howlin Moon Press is offering its
new Small Retailers Program beginning January 2005. This program
is designed to allow smaller businesses the opportunity to try
their popular dog training and related books by buying lower
numbers of titles directly from the publisher and still get the
bigger discount reserved for large retailers. This will help
retailers keep their inventories low and profits high. Most titles
shown on the website are included.
For a list of titles and program details,
request Reader Service Card #1433.
Announcing
FREE Range Odor-Free Bully Sticks!
Finally Bully Sticks from grass-fed,
free range cattle that have never been given any processed feed
which may contain hormones, pesticides and preservatives.With
years of experience in the natural "body parts" business,
"we process our Bully Sticks correctly so that you are assured
of high quality and no offensive odor," says company spokesman.
For more information please Request
Reader service #1434.
Pet Behavior
Wellness Books and CD's from Animal Behavior Associates
"Help! I'm Barking and I Can't
Be Quiet" and "Raising A Behaviorally Healthy Puppy",
the first series of Pet Parenting Guides by Drs. Suzanne Hetts
and Dan Estep, internationally known animal behaviorists. Also,
seven CD's in an exciting new format (compatible with any Windows
PC) just like watching and listening to a private PowerPoint
presentation. Titles include "Understanding Canine Conflict",
"Introducing Your Dog To Your New Baby", and "What
You Don't Know About Dogs Can Hurt You." Audio only versions
also available.
For more information please Request
Reader service #1435.
The Grooming
View - Membership Madness
by Marea Tully
While there are those of us who can hardly
make ends meet working five and six days a week and long hours,
there are also those of us who know how to work a 40-45 hour
week and make a bundle! One of those people is Jay Scruggs, Groom
Team member and mobile groomer from Germantown, Tennessee. He
and his wife, Michelle, own Here Comes the Groom, with Jay doing
all the grooming himself and Michelle running the business end
of the enterprise. Jay's grooming is so much in demand, that
they had to book their appointments a year in advance in order
to take care of all their customers. They give all of their clients
their appointments in December for the following year. They then
realized they had so many customers that they could not take
any new ones, so they started a waiting list that grew to 2000
(that's not a misprint), people, and then they stopped that,
too.
About two years ago, a Mrs. Percell called
and asked to make an appointment. Jay explained to her that he
was full and had a waiting list a mile long. He said he was very
sorry, but he could not help her. She told him she had read an
article in the paper about his winning the Groomer of the Year
Award, (that was sponsored by Wahl Clipper Corporation and presented
by Dog Fancy Magazine which he received at the Westminster
Dog Show.)
She said that she had been flying her dogs
to New York to some posh salon for grooming and that since he
was in town, she now wanted to use him. Again Jay said he was
sorry. Thereupon, the lady said I will do anything to get an
appointment with you! He patiently explained that the only way
someone new can become a customer of his is if a dog dies or
moves away. She said, "Well, how about I pay you $500 to
get to the top of that list?" Jay said he'd think about
it and get back to her. He discussed it with his wife and in
less than two minutes, Michelle called her back and said Jay
would be there Monday at 8:00 am. Although he does not advertise,
word of mouth spreads quickly, and he now has a waiting list
of 25 30 clients willing to pay $500 memberships for the
next appointment.
He asked Mrs. Percell what prompted her
to do this, and she said it was supply and demand. " Without
the cash incentive, I would have been on the waiting list for
years. It was the best $500. I ever spent. The boys look beautiful."
Rudi and Nino, two Maltese, are groomed every week and don't
have the stress of flying to New York anymore.
Then a Mr. Jones called, and wanted an
appointment for Spike, another Maltese. Jay told him he would
have to put him on the members $500 waiting list but that wasn't
good enough for the owner. He asked how much it would cost to
groom his four-pound dog on a weekly basis. Jay said it would
start at $55. The owner paused for a few seconds and said well
$55 times 52 weeks a year would be $2,860, and if you can come
here next week, I'll have a check made out for a year's grooming
in advance. Jay said he'd have to think about it, talked it over
with Michelle, and again his wife called right back and said
Jay will be there next week.
You can see how valuable it is to advertise
whenever you win any kind of competition. Your local newspapers
love to have stories like this to print. It costs you nothing,
and they usually include a picture as well.
If I were in Jay's shoes, I would contact
as many of my current clients as I had on that $500 waiting list
and ask them if they were willing to pay a $500 membership fee
in order to stay a customer. Then if everyone said no (which
they wouldn't), I would then add all those waiting clients and
get that list down to zero. The next person who called for an
appointment would be asked if they're willing to pay the membership
fee and if they said yes (after I received the check), then one
of my regulars who wouldn't pay the fee would go bye bye. I asked
Jay why he didn't do this, and he said because his customers
give him nice gifts at Christmas, offer to loan him the money
to buy a new van when he was having problems, plus, he goes fishing
with them and to sporting events. I can understand all that but
making friends of customers or employees makes it very difficult
to continue to run your business in a professional manner. Business
is business, guys, and if you're going to be successful, you
have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way
and try not to get too emotionally wrapped up with them.
Jay takes at least a one week vacation
every year with his family and travels all over the country doing
demos for Wahl and representing Groomers Choice (Coat Handler
Shampoo).
Many of us are not in a position such as this, but many are booked
solid and don't even think about raising their prices. The new
people who call are willing to pay a higher price, and if you
turn them down or make them wait more than two weeks, they will
go elsewhere and you've lost the opportunity to increase your
financial worth. Remember they wouldn't be calling you if they
were happy where they are currently going.
My Dad once told me I should give out my
appointments a year in advance and have them pay a year in advance,
too. That way, if someone cancelled or didn't show, I would have
had the money and could take someone from a waiting list as well.
I never had the nerve back then, but I hear more and more people
are doing it that way. My daughter, who teaches piano lessons,
books her weekly students for the entire school year and expects
a check by the first of the month for all four or five lessons
for the month. Otherwise, they are replaced. This way she is
paid whether the student shows up or not. She told me that many
teachers require six months paid up front. No matter what business
you're in, there's nothing wrong with making sure you make a
decent living, and don't let people take advantage of you.
See you on the road,
Marea
P.S. I would like to do an article
on the cutest, dumbest, funniest or strangest thing any customer
has ever said or done to you. Please email them to me at mareatully@yahoo.com or
snail mail me through Barkleigh Productions. I won't use your
name if you'd rather I didn't. You can change the names to protect
the innocent.
An Opinion
on Groomer Licensing.....
Dear Editor,
With the pet industry where it's at today, and where it seems
to be going with the specialized service and the dollars involved,
licensing of groomers is probably going to happen. This should
be a good thing, even if licensing would only provide some sort
of credibility or justification of our existence.
As a child, my mother always told me to "keep your eyes
and ears open and your mouth shut, and you might learn something."
As I got older, the tune changed a bit. She would say, "If
you have something to say, say it. Just make sure it's worth
saying." In the last few issues of Groomer to Groomer, a
good magazine, by the way, I've read several articles and/or
letters with a lot of interest and some concern. Now, with my
Mother's voice in mind, I would like to offer some "food
for thought" or "for what it's worth" and throw
in my 2¢ worth, or maybe a buck fifty if adjusted for inflation.
I'll try to keep the words to a minimal and try not to direct
quote anything I've read. After all, licensing is a subject that
has, can be, and should be debated in depth over a period of
time as licensing would and will affect everyone.
First, I would have to believe that there would be no room
for shallow thought or individual agendas. Licensing of a group
is bigger than any one person and the thinking should be on a
group level.
Second, a license will not assure quality, talent, ethics,
or standards. These are all individual traits. Because someone
is of a lesser talent, this does not mean they do dog grooming.
This is why there is sponsored competition. A license will only
assure that a minimal standard has been met.
I would caution the language used when talking about licensing.
The last thing we need is a lawmaker who wants to make a point
because his mother's Poodle got a slight case of clipper rash
(I don't like the term burn), and wants to regulate groomers
into the ground.
I would also think that a state license would have more meat
to it rather than something on a municipal level. A city license
would not be much more than a business permit and would not mean
anything outside of the city limit. However, a state license
would have a state department overseer. In Ohio, that would be
the Department of Agriculture, which also oversees DVMs.
As for a license itself, to name a few, you could have a straight
license like the vet techs have. Barbers and beauticians in Ohio
have a dual license, one level to practice and with extra training,
a manager's license. Now there's a thought. Also, you could do
multi-tiered like plumbers and pipe fitters. You could have the
beginner, the journeyman and for those who like to advertise,
the master. If you think about it, there are several industry
licenses that might parallel well with grooming.
I would think that the license might be a five or ten year
renewable. I would think that there might be some sort of continuing
education attachment to the license. I do not think these kinds
of things are all that much, and I do not think that there would
be all that much cost involved. I do think that these types of
requirements, as an industry, would make us more up-to-date,
professional and probably more conscious of our day-to-day routine.
In closing, I would have to say that it's okay to have passion
from the heart for your work. I would encourage people to work
with as much passion as they can. However, one must think with
his head and not think lightly. The approach of licensing a group
of people, to put in groomer terms, one might think of as doing
good scissor work. Point being, sometimes we need to take a step
back and take a good look at where we are in order to figure
out where we want to go with it.
I've groomed in one form or another for twenty plus years,
in repair and sharpening for ten plus years and am still plugging
away at it. I see and talk with groomers, DVMs every day. I've
been in some nice shops, some not so nice shops and/or practices.
I've done work in the same. I've worked for some nice people
and some not so nice people. Most of my friends are groomers
or people involved in the pet industry. My late wife was a groomer.
One might say I'm talking from experience. I would prefer to
say I've been around the block a couple of times.
I think that licensing is probably going to come to grooming.
I think this could be good for our industry, if handled correctly.
If handled wrong, licensing could bring out all kinds of problems
that we do not need. As I said, food for thought. Thank you for
your time.
Steve Zerkel, Steve's Groom-Sharp, Dayton OH
Creating the Contented Customer
By Daryl Conner
It happens often, a new grooming client
will call to make an appointment, and somewhere in the conversation
they tell us they were NOT happy with their previous pet stylist.
These types of conversations make me cringe. With a little gentle
prodding, it usually comes out that it was not that the pet received
a poor grooming, but that somehow the groomer did not meet the
clients' needs.
Most pet stylists came to our profession
because they love animals. Some of us, however, are far more
comfortable dealing with animals than we are with people. This
being said, we all know that communicating with the pet owning
public is an enormous part of our job. There are some steps we
can take to help keep our human customers content and coming
back to us.
Have them from Hello! Busy groomers often look upon a ringing phone
as an unwanted interruption. Irritation can radiate from their
voice as they answer the phone. Take a moment before you pick
that telephone up, take a deep breath and smile. Your smile will
be reflected in your voice, and you will sound welcoming to the
person on the end of the line. The way we answer the phone is
often the very first impression a new customer has of us. Make
that first impression a warm, positive one.
Good Greetings:
When I meet a customer for the first time, I make eye contact,
smile, and extend my hand to shake. Many of us pet stylist types
are women, and for some reason, many of us were not taught to
shake hands when being introduced. There are scientific studies
that show that warm physical contact upon introduction helps
form a positive impression. Use a good firm handshake, make that
first impression count! The very next thing I do is speak to
the pet. I greet it, and compliment it in some way. This seems
to come naturally to pet lovers, but sometimes we are busy and
forget. Customers are entrusting their pets to us for a time,
and they want to feel we care about their animal. We can convey
our care by speaking to the dog or cat. It can be something simple,
like, "Come on, Tank, we are going to make you look even
MORE handsome than you already do today!" or, "Precious,
it is so good to see you today! Lets go get this spa treatment
started!"
Clear Communication: Another crucial step in keeping our customers
happy is making sure that we understand what they expect from
the grooming process. What is second nature and blatantly obvious
to us, is often a total mystery to our customers. A Collie owner
called me recently to set up an appointment. She explained that
her dog had some matting, and she was really embarrassed about
it. When I explained what the grooming would entail, and how
much the charges would be, the lady asked, "And do you BATHE
dogs, too?" Now, to me, a bath is pretty much a given in
the grooming process, so I didn't even mention it. To this pet
owner, however, it was an unknown. I was not very clear in my
explanation to her, but thankfully she felt comfortable asking
and I was able to reassure her that her dog would, indeed, be
bathed during its visit with us.
Education:
While most pet owners we come in contact with love and care for
their pets, many do not have the slightest clue how to keep a
dog's skin and coat in optimum condition. It is our job to help
educate people on how to brush and comb their animals to keep
them from becoming matted messes.
One groomer I know berates clients and
makes them feel afraid and ashamed when their animal comes in
with tangles. These clients respond by bringing their dog in
only when it is such a mess they cannot stand it any more, or,
by taking the dog to another stylist for care. This groomer loses
customers because of the way she approaches the problem of matted
animals.
In contrast, another pet stylist I know
brings customers back to the grooming area with their matted
pets. She shows them the proper brushes and combs for their pet's
coat, and explains to them how to keep the coat tangle free.
She demonstrates to them how top brushing does not compare to
brushing to the skin and then following up with a combing. I
have seen people's eyes as they register what they are being
taught. These customers become better pet owners and better clients
all because of a few moments of time taken to teach them new
skills.
Wrapping it up:
When I return a freshly groomed pet to its owners, I take the
advice given by Judy Bremer-Taxman: I praise the dog's appearance!
I will say to the owner, as he or she greets their animal, "Doesn't
he look GREAT! Look how proud he is! Don't you love his new look?"
This ends our visit on a happy note.
The busy pet owner takes time to really
look at the pet, and to agree that it does, indeed, look wonderful!
I also suggest we make the pet's next styling appointment at
this time. If there were any doubt as to what style or length
of trim the customer wanted, I check now to see if what I did
was what they had in mind. I can then make a note in my records
for the next visit.
Contented customers are customers who come
back to us. They are also people who refer us to their friends
and family, and speak highly of us to their veterinarians. They
build our business for us better than any type of advertising
that we could buy.
It is worth it for us to give some thought
to meeting the needs of the human portion of our clientele. Keeping
people happy keeps our schedule full of pets to groom, and in
the end, isn't that what our goal is?
NDGAA 2004 Review
Fun In the Sun Contest Results
The National Dog Groomers Association of
America, Inc. recently held their annual Fun In The Sun Dog Grooming
Seminar and Contest in Daytona, Florida.
Liz Paul of Pampered Paws in Satellite Beach, Florida captured
Best in Show and Best All Around Groomer in Division A. Division
B Best Groomed Dog went to Cassandra Cooper of E. Orlando Animal
Hospital in Orlando, Florida. Tiffany Smith was awarded Best
All Around Groomer in Division B. Division C Best Groomed Dog
was won by Brandi Gamblin of Slocum Pet Camp, Glencoe, Alabama,
and Best All Around Groomer was Sandra Phillips, of Ruther Glen,
Virginia.
Dog Grooming Competition Results
Andis Poodle Tournament
(Div. A) Vero Da Sylva, Liz Paul, Alicia Bismore
(Div. B) Cassandra Cooper, Tiffany Smith, Shelly Baxley (Div.
C) Brandi Gamblin, Sandra Phillips, Yvonne Aitken
Wagn' Tails Sporting Tournament
(Div. A) Vero Da Sylva, Tracy Duncan, Suesan Watson (Div. B)
Cassandra Cooper, Tiffany Smith, Becky Paul (Div. C) Sandra Phillips,
Joeline Blake
Show Season Terrier Tournament
(Div. A) Liz Paul, Alicia Bismore, Julie Ostoski
(Div. B) Jo A. Milleer-Nourse, Julie Schrock, Becky Paul (Div.
C) Angela Mackey, Graham Ryder
Kenchii Shears Mixed/Misc. Tournament
(Div. A) Lisa Leady, Sarah Hawks, Liz Paul (Div. B) Tiffany Smith,
Laura Watkins, Shelly Baxley (Div. C) Jessica Cali, Lindsey Berry,
Jenna White
Tomlyn All Other Purebreeds Tournament
(Div. A) Liz Paul, Lisa Leady, Cheryl Purcell (Div. B) Becky
Paul, Julie Schrock (Div. C) Debbie Slocum, Sandra Phillips
Oster Career Start Competition
Thelmarys Hernandez, Vicky VanGelder Hernando, Jenna White
NDGAA Mat Contest
Roxanne Aldridge, Lea Florence
World-Renowned
Animal Hospital
Shares its Total-Care Program for Dogs
The human medical profession has long realized
that preventive health care programs can help people live longer,
healthier lives. Now, the veterinary medical community has begun
to recognize the same benefits for pets.
Angell Memorial Animal Hospital has teamed
with journalist, Darlene Arden, in The Angell Memorial Animal
Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs (Contemporary
Books, December 2002). The book shows owners that by keeping
their pet healthy, they cannot only ensure a quicker recovery
from illnesses when they occur, but also prevent them from happening
in the first place, thus ensuring a longer, healthier life for
their dog.
This book allows dog owners, in concert
with their own veterinarian, to create a wellness and preventive
care program tailored to their individual pets, based on the
expertise of the doctors at Angell. The book takes into consideration
such factors as the climate in which the dog lives, pure breed
or mixed-breed, lifestyle, and age group. Included is information
on vaccines, spaying and neutering, disease prevention, nutrition,
grooming, behavior and training, exercise and first aid.
Darlene Arden is an award-winning animal
journalist and author. She is also the producer and host of her
own cable show. Her work has been featured in Dog World, Cats,
Family Circle and the Boston Herald. For more information, please
request Reader Service #1437.
Shor-Line
Electric Lift Grooming Table
Ergonomically designed to allow the groomer to effortlessly position
the pet during the grooming process. The smooth, quiet lifting
system can lift up to 250 lbs. The table lifts from 20"
to 41". The pivoting/adjustable grooming arm is attached
to the padded polyurethane top. The top is uniquely rounded to
allow groomer an unrestricted movement while working. Grooming
table also available with manual hydraulic pump.
For information on obtaining a directory,
request Reader Service Card #1438.
PUREAYRE 100%
Food Grade Odor Eliminator
The world's first
100% food grade odor eliminator attacks the nastiest odors: skunk,
cigarette smoke, gasoline, even old stubborn cat urine in carpets.
Unlike all "fresheners"
that are made with toxic chemicals, PureAyre: uses the same enzymatic
action that works for heartburn and indigestion. Using the bionanotechnology
of natural food plant enzymes, it breaks apart odor causing molecules
upon contact. This unique, natural product is all-purpose, replacing
all "fresheners" and odor "cover-ups" with
no lingering fragrance.
PureAyre Odor Eliminator
is plant based and contains no toxic chemicals or citrus. It
can safely be sprayed on all fabrics, all surfaces, and every
living thing! It can even freshen a dog's breath!
PureAyre is safe for everyone,
even people with allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities.
For more information please Request
Reader service #1415.
Salmon Oil
by DogNip Brand Inc.
Salmon Oil makes
every meal a treat and pumps on the nutritional benefits of Omega
Fatty Acids. Made to add to a dog's ordinary food to make it
an irresistible treat. Besides great taste, it adds all of the
healthy benefits that fish oil may provide such as more vitality,
healthy skin and coat, reduced heart disease, improved immune
function and arthritis relief. Salmon Oil is great for dogs diagnosed
with hyper-sensitivity to beef, corn, wheat etc. The oil is an
addition to the line of REAL 100% fish dog treats.
For more information, please
Request Reader Service #1451
ProKlean High
Quality Urine Removal
ProKlean High Quality
Urine Removal
ProKlean offers competent high quality urine removal products
for the wholesale trade. Groomers and other pet care professionals
can increase their profit margins by offering these consistent
performers. Products can be conveniently ordered online with
wholesale preferential pricing already included on the main website.
Orders typically ship within twenty four hours of approval. The
ProKlean Companies will help you build your clientele by referring
retail customer inquires directly to your business by city, state
and zip code.
For more information, please
request Reader
Service #1439.
NDGAA's 8th
Edition Membership Directory Now Available
The National Dog Groomers Association of
America, Inc. presents
its eighth Edition Official NDGAA Membership Directory. It contains
nearly 2,400 names and addresses of both Certified and Registered
Members.
For information on obtaining a directory,
request Reader Service Card #1448.
Calendar of Events
Arizona
Phoenix
Pet Services
Expo
April 4-10,
2005
Contact: (928) 772-4661
California
Burbank
Groom &
Kennel Expo
Animal Behavior Conference
Off Lead Training Expo
Natural Pet Expo
February
10-13, 2005
Contact: Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · www.barkleigh.com
info@barkleigh.com
Request Reader Service
#1416
Georgia
Atlanta
Atlanta Pet
Fair
March 4-6,
2005
Contact: (770) 908-9857
atlantapetfair@yahoo.com
www.atlantapetfair.com
Animal Care
Expo
April 6-9,
2005
Contact: (800) 248-3976
www.animalsheltering.org/expo
SuperZoo East
August 11-13, 2005
Contact: www.wwpsa.com
Progroom South and Grooming
Tournament
in conjunction with SuperZoo East
August 11-13, 2005
Contact: Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · www.barkleigh.com
info@barkleigh.com
Request Reader Service
#1417
Illinois
Rosemont
All American
Grooming Show
August 6-8,
2005
Contact: (847) 364-4547
aagrmgshow@aol.com
Maryland
Frederick
Mid Atlantic
Pet Pro Show
February
18-20, 2005
Contact: (717) 423-5195
Michigan
Lansing
PetQuest
Expo
July 15-17,
2005
Contact: Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · www.barkleigh.com
info@barkleigh.com
Request Reader Service
#1411
Mississippi
Biloxi
Gulf Coast
Grooming Rodeo
& Trade Show
February
4-6, 2005
Contact: (228) 831-3566
w.dewberry@worldnet.att.net
Missouri
Kansas City
Groom Classic
2005
April 1-3,
2005
Contact: (800) 705-5175
groomclassic@kc.rr.com
North
Carolina
Charlotte
NDGAA Carolina
Groomfest
June 3-5,
2005
Contact: (724) 962-2711
ndga@nationaldoggroomers.com
Nevada
Las Vegas
Progroom
Las Vegas 2005
and Grooming Tournaments
September
21-22, 2005
Contact: Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · www.barkleigh.com
info@barkleigh.com
Request Reader Service
#1061
New
Jersey
Atlantic
City
Pet Industry Spring Trade Show
April 1-3,
2005
Contact: hhbacker@hhbacker.com
Somerset
Intergroom
April 16-18,
2005
Contact: (781) 326-3376
intergroom@msn.com
Pennsylvania
Hershey
Groom Expo
Natural Pet Expo
September
15-18, 2005
Contact: Barkleigh Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · www.groomexpo.com
info@barkleigh.com
Request Reader Service
#51
Texas
Houston
Lone Star
Groomers Conference
April 29
May 1, 2005
Contact: (936) 443-3299
Barkleigh Show
Dates
Groom &
Kennel Expo
Natural Pet Expo, Hershey PA
Animal Behavior Conference
Off Lead Training Expo
Burbank CA
July 15-17,
2005
PetQuest Expo, Lansing MI
August 11-13,
2005
Progroom South, Atlanta GA
(In conjunction with SuperZoo East)
September 15-18,
2005
Groom Expo 2005
Natural Pet Expo, Hershey PA
Animal Behavior & Health Expo, Hershey PA
September 21-22,
2005
Progroom South
Atlanta GA
(In conjunction with SuperZoo East)
2006
February 17-19,
2006
Groom & Kennel Expo 2006, Burbank CA
September 14-16,
2006
Groom Expo 2006, Hershey PA
Animal Behavior & Health Expo, Hershey PA
January 14,
2006
ProGroom Puerto Rico
January 15-22,
2006
Groom Boat
Exotic Southern Caribbean Cruise
2007
September 4-6,
2007
Groom Expo 2007, Hershey PA
Animal Behavior & Health Expo, Hershey PA
2008
September 18-21,
2008
Groom Expo 2008, Hershey PA
Animal Behavior & Health Expo, Hershey PA
Contact Barkleigh
Productions, Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · Fax (717) 691-3381
www.barkleigh.com · www.gromexpo.com
www.off-lead.com
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