Iris Paulus
Groom Expo is over. Wow! What a show. Among all the great people at the show, there was a standout in my book. Iris Paulus. This plucky New Jersey visionary is partially responsible for me being where I am… and perhaps where you are, too.
Iris was one of the founding directors of the National Dog Groomers Association of America. She was a pioneer show planner, planned the first groomer cruise, was an encourager of all things grooming, and a teacher extraordinaire.
When I was a young groomer, Iris would come to our little local Groomer association meetings held at the home of Laura Gidusko, another pioneer in the Harrisburg Area. Iris would drive four hours to our meetings, to teach and encourage our grooming meetings. I took a shine to this lady with the British accent right away. She took a shine to any groomer who showed interest and ability. She encouraged me to be my best and we became good friends.
One evening at the Daytona Beach, Florida show, Iris, Gwen, Barbara Cismowski, owner of Dapper Dogs in Spring Lake Heights (and close friend of Iris) and I went to dinner at a wonderful Italian Restaurant. The food was great and the dinner conversation lively. Iris has so many great stories. I hope she won't mind if I tell you this one.
Iris was a "war bride" from England. After several years, the marriage soured and a bitter "I'll take my half" split ensued. Iris was not a completely innocent party as she broke dishes in half and tore sheets right up the middle to make everything come out even.
But they had one little problem. Her thirty show Poodles, among them several champions. Her husband didn't care about the dogs. He just wanted to split their value. Of course, these were Iris' "babies" and she wasn't about to sell them to appease her money-grubbing "Ex".
An auction was planned to dispose of all the goods, including the dogs. What could Iris do? She didn't want to lose them. She cried and fretted. At last, resourceful Iris had a plan.
Later, the auctioneer arrived with her husband. He was aghast at what he saw. A pen full of some sort of animals… but what? Iris had trimmed every hair off her prized pooches. She shaved them down with #30 blades. They all looked alike… and they looked terrible!
The dogs sold for $10 each and her friends bought them all… one by one. Iris had her pets back and her husband got a pittance of their real value. How's that for groomer ingenuity?
Well, with that little story, I'll end this letter and leave you to enjoy Groomer to Groomer. God bless you.
Groomers with the Drive to Succeed are going Mobile
By Kathy Hosler
“You’ve come a long way, baby!” This statement certainly describes groomers everywhere, but it especially applies to mobile groomers. Today’s mobile groomers literally have the world at their fingertips.
Just close your eyes and imagine what your dream grooming salon would look like, complete with all the newest time and labor-saving equipment and all the goodies that every groomer wants and needs. Now, picture that perfect salon being on wheels, and you are in business.
Mobile grooming salons are a big business, and the demand for this type of specialized service is growing by leaps and bounds.
Just how did mobile groomers get their start and how far have they and their mobile salons come?
The early grooming vans were typically a cargo van with a topper, the walls were covered with wood paneling and the floors had shag carpeting. (How would you like to try to keep that clean?) They had two large plastic barrels in them, one for fresh water and one for the wastewater. The lighting was poor at best. You had the grooming basics, but that was all.
Thirty years ago, mobile groomers had to connect hoses to their customer’s house for water and use extension cords to plug into the
customer’s electric
for their power.
As a result, the equipment they could use was much less powerful. For example, because you didn’t have the amperage that a modern generator can provide, you could only use a ten-amp dryer, which could take an hour or more to dry a large dog. New grooming vans allow you to use a seventeen-amp dryer that will get the job done in a fraction of the time. By today’s standards, those first grooming vans were downright primitive!
Now, let’s fast-forward to the present to witness the tremendous popularity of the mobile groomer, and check out the fabulous new grooming vans, loaded with amazing time and labor-saving equipment.
Why are mobile groomers in such demand? It’s simple. Today’s consumer thrives on convenience. Busy executives, aging baby boomers and families on the go are searching for solutions to fit their busy lifestyles. For them, having at-home grooming service means not having to make multiple trips to the grooming salon to drop off and pick up their pets. That gives them more free time for other things.
Mobile grooming also provides many benefits for the pet. They enjoy a one-on-one experience with their groomer from start to finish. Older pets, puppies and those with separation anxiety won’t spend hours away from home in a salon that typically could be more noisy and stressful for the pet.
This kind of premium service will attract a clientele that is willing to pay a premium price. As a rule, mobile groomers make more money grooming fewer dogs than groomers in a salon do.
Did you know that it is not unusual for a mobile groomer to become so busy, that after being in business for only six months, they are unable to accept new clients?
Is mobile grooming right for you? It may be. Are you tired of looking out the same window day after day? Are you an independent, self-starter? Can you work alone? Do you have the ability to operate your own business? Do you want to control your own schedule, deciding when and how long you wish to work?
Would you like to drive down the street in a brand new grooming van sporting your own customized graphics, and have people ask you for your business card at stoplights and shopping centers?
Here’s something to think about. Grooming vans typically last from ten to fifteen years, and are generally financed for five years. After five years, you have no payments and a tangible asset. If you pay shop rent, after five years you have nothing (except maybe a rent increase.)
One of the very first groomers to go mobile was grooming icon, Dina Perry, who was recently recognized as Groomer of the Century by the professional pet grooming industry.
In 1975 Dina added mobile grooming to her five grooming salons. Soon she had twenty mobile units serving three counties in the Lansing, Michigan area.
Dina Perry was the founder of Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions. Located in Granger, Indiana, Wag’n Tails has recently tripled the size of their manufacturing facility to keep pace with the growing demand for their grooming vans.
Groomer To Groomer had the opportunity to visit with Dennis Gnetz, the president of Wag’n Tails, to learn more about how they manufacture their mobile grooming salons and to learn what this company does to help place groomers into the salon of their dreams.
“Wag’n Tails vans are all designed by groomers and built by professionals.”
states Mr. Gnetz, “Professionalism and quality are the keystones of a successful grooming business, and top priorities in the manufacturing of vehicles at Wag’n Tails.”
Even the groomer that is entering the mobile world for the first time need not fear. At Wag’n Tails they provide everything necessary for you to get your business on the road. They arrange financing, help with business insurance and take you step-by-step through every important decision you need to make as you begin your career as a mobile groomer.
When you step into one of their units, it is breathtaking, both for the groomer and for their client. The groomer sees their ultimate dream salon. The finest equipment is at their fingertips: bathing systems, clipper vacuum systems, adjustable tables, abundant lighting and so much more. And, check it out; you can even get a unit with a private enclosed bathroom! How great is that!
If you visit their website at www.wagntails.com, you can take a virtual tour of their mobile grooming units and get a real feel of what they are like.
Because groomers design Wag’n Tails vans, everything is planned and ergonomically designed to enhance the efficiency, speed and comfort of the groomer.
When a client enters your van, they see the ultimate in comfort and pampering for their beloved pet. They are greeted by the gleaming surfaces of a beautifully designed and well-lit salon, enhanced by picture windows and plenty of headspace.
Inside and out, the van is impressive and it oozes professionalism and success. It’s everything that a groomer, pet and pet owner could want in one incredible package. Providing VIP service to pampered pets at their doorstep is what it’s all about.
What makes Wag’n Tails Mobile Van Conversions so special that they needed to triple the size of their manufacturing facility?
Wag’n Tails vans come with all the upgrades – heavy suspension, power everything, auxiliary fuel tap for generator, keyless entry, the unit is acclimatized for your part of the country, with furnaces and anti-freeze systems and so much more.
Wag’n Tails units have a back-up system for everything (so you won’t have to cancel appointments and disappoint clients if you should have a problem).
Also, every piece of equipment on the vehicle is a high quality brand name product that has service centers nationally. For example, the air conditioner in every unit is a Carrier.
In most cases, when you purchase a unit from Wag’n Tails, you pick up your new van at their Granger, Indiana facility. At vehicle pickup, there is a very thorough orientation covering vehicle maintenance techniques, and lots of in-depth information about the mobile grooming business and marketing your services. Their customer service department will work with you to make sure that you and your van stay on the road and in business.
President Dennis Gnetz sums it up by saying, “Wag’n Tails is a family owned business with over thirty years experience. Our staff works closely with the groomers to insure their success. We don’t just sell a high-end quality vehicle, we give our clients the tools to be successful with business planning and marketing. If you have a Wag’n Tails van, you are part of our family, and we take care of you!”
Step into a van and you are instantly in business. A business that can go anywhere and can go as far as you want to take it. So, what do you think? Is an exciting and profitable career in mobile grooming right for you? Isn’t it time to put your dreams in motion?
Andis Family Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
By Kathy Hosler
In 1921, Mathew Andis Sr. planted the seeds for a dynasty right in his own basement. The Andis family business got its start the way many family owned and operated businesses begin – with a terrific idea that was backed up with loads of determination and a tremendous amount of hard work.
Mathew Andis, Sr. designed and built a small, self-contained electric clipper that was fast and durable. He began producing his remarkable little clipper in the basement of his family home. His wife, Anna, wound coils and the rest of the family assembled the clippers. Mathew sold them door-to-door to the barbershops of the Racine, Wisconsin area. The barbers embraced the new Andis Clipper and were genuinely impressed with its size and performance.
At first, Andis clippers were manufactured for the barber/beauty industry, but when the need for a high quality, dependable pet clipper arose, the Andis Company created a pet care division. As demand for their products grew, the Andis family knew that they needed to grow also.
They expanded their manufacturing capabilities and put great emphasis on developing a closer relationship with the professional pet grooming industry. Andis Company became a major presence at trade shows and grooming seminars. Trade shows allow groomers to compare all the different clippers and to have a hands-on experience as they test drive the Andis products. Knowledgeable, friendly professionals who explain the features of all the products and demonstrate their usage always staff the Andis booth.
The Andis Company knew that having the very best equipment and knowing the proper way to use it is a key factor in helping groomers reach new levels of success in their business. To help them achieve this goal, grooming industry icon Marea Tully, came on board. Ms. Tully is a world-recognized groomer with over forty years in the pet care industry. And, like the Andis family, Marea Tully’s career also began in her home. She started with a small grooming salon and paired it with a talent that has catapulted her into grooming notoriety.
Marea became well known in the contest ring, winning countless awards and titles. She earned membership on Groom Team USA and went on to become a judge of grooming competitions as a member of the International Judges Association. Marea has been nominated for, and has won, many Cardinal Crystal Achievement Awards. She is the only groomer to have been nominated in three categories in the same year, not once but twice. There is no doubt that Marea Tully knows the grooming industry inside and out.
As the National and International Groomer Consultant of Andis Industries, the biggest part of Marea’s job is to interact with groomers and take their input back to the company. She answers groomer’s questions, and conveys their suggestions and needs to the Andis Company. Andis listens to groomers – always fine-tuning their equipment to make it ergonomic and more comfortable for the groomer.
This family started, owned and run company believes in their products and what they can do for the professional groomer. “Buying top quality professional products will save you a tremendous amount of time and money in the long run,” states Marea and adds, “Buying anything less than superior equipment is foolish.”
As an industry icon, Andis Groomer Consultant and as a groomer herself, Marea knows what a groomer needs. She gives lectures and demos
all over the world, sharing her wealth of knowledge about every aspect of the grooming industry.
Continuing education is essential for every groomer’s success. That is one reason that the Andis Company is involved in trade shows and seminars and enthusiastically sponsors grooming competitions. Sponsorship of these competitions helps to showcase groomers’ talents and rewards a groomer for their hard work. It recognizes their efforts and encourages them to reach for the stars and to be the very best that they can be. Hard work is something that the Andis family knows all about. The third and fourth generations are at the helm of the business now.
True to her roots, Marcia Andis (a fourth generation) has been involved with the family business since she was about thirteen years old. “All three children spent summers in the factory,” she states proudly. “Learning how to earn a dollar and learning the meaning of a dollar. We learned about everything; from putting the screws in blades on the assembly line, to working in the repair shop and learning all about providing outstanding customer service to our customers. We learned a lot about the company.”
“New product development is important to us” Marcia continues, “At Andis, we are continually improving our products and developing new products, always with innovation and the user in mind. We have the widest blade selection in the industry, both steel and ceramic, and the biggest blades available.”
Marcia eagerly adds, “We offer groomers all the options. From heavy-duty clippers that make short work of those once-a-year clip downs, to the convenience and comfort of cordless clippers and the quiet little trimmers that make detailed work a breeze.”
Their new PowerGroom clipper is a real workhorse. It can be used as an electric plug in or can be converted to a cordless. It will accept any size blade and will work all day long.
“Andis offers the two largest blades available, the 5/8” HT and the 3/4” HT,” says Marea. “Groomers have found them to be more durable and to give a nicer finish than a snap-on comb.”
Today, Andis distributes its products all over the world. Along with their pet industry and barber/beauty products, Andis also manufactures products such as home haircutting kits, hair dryers and curling irons/brushes. Their website, www.andis.com, offers worldwide access to their products, as well as grooming guides and in depth product information.
This exciting website has a section full of tips from the pros. It even has an “Ask the Expert” section where Andis welcomes questions from groomers not only about the Andis products, but also questions about grooming. Their goal is to help groomers with every aspect of their business.
Andis Company rose from its humble beginnings in Mathew Andis’ basement, and is now a name that is synonymous with quality, dependability and outstanding customer service. As Andis Company has expanded its product lines and grown through the years, the family has held fast to their work ethic and their strict requirements to produce products that are second to none.
“When you are a family, its not just a job,” states a beaming Marcia Andis, “You care about your business!”
Congratulations Andis Family! Here are to many more “Hairy” generations!
Grooming Difficult Dogs
By Marea Tully
A dog owner emailed for information on sedating dogs by the grooming industry. She has an eight-month-old Cocker Spaniel that she took to the groomer who told her the dog would have to be sedated each time the dog was groomed and the owner was horrified. She asked if there were steps groomers could take to desensitize the dog’s fear of being groomed.
You don’t know how badly I wanted to ask her why on earth she waited eight months to get the puppy’s first hair cut. We all know what the answer would have been, “Well, she’s only a little puppy and we thought she looked so cute like this that we didn’t want to start her hair cuts too soon.” That translates to, “We didn’t want to spend the money before we had to.” We now have an eight-month-old puppy that’s terrified of being groomed and we as groomers have to deal with it.
Yes, there are steps we can take to calm the dog. We can use the clipper in the off position and run it all over the dog where we have to clip and if that works out okay, then we turn the clipper on and do it all over again but not cutting any hair yet. Just let the dog feel the equipment and realize it’s not being hurt while talking baby talk.
We can turn up the radio or turn on the dryer so the noise from the electric clippers or nail grinders and nail clippers is reduced and not as frightening to the dog. We could have the owner or someone else in the salon help to hold the dog for just the part the dog objects to. Perhaps a muzzle is necessary and if the dog goes to bite when he sees the muzzle coming, approach him from the back and slip it over his head and it’s on before he knows it. Remove the muzzle as soon as the part he dislikes is over.
If it’s the face the dog objects to, which was the case with the Cocker above, you can hold one side of the muzzle with your thumb up in the middle of the lower jaw and your fingers clamped over the top of the muzzle before you turn on the clipper to do one side of the face. Shut the clipper off and use your other hand in exactly the same manner on the other side of the face before letting the first hand go. Start the clipper under his throat and come up to the sides of the face. That doesn’t seem to upset them as much as picking up the clipper and immediately going for the eyes.
If you lose your patience or your nerve, put the dog back in a crate and try again later. No sense stressing yourself or the dog any more than you already have. Sometimes we get dogs that we just aren’t comfortable grooming and sometimes you have to explain to the owner what you and the dog are going through to see if they can be of any help. I usually referred the dogs I could not control, even with help, to the vet where they can be sedated in a controlled environment. To sedate the dogs yourself is unlawful in many states and a large liability. The dog could have a heart condition and if you give it medication it’s heart could stop and then what?
When I first started my business I had a dog that was “gonna get me!” I called a friend of mine and she said she’d help me. Well that didn’t work out either so she gave the dog a tranquilizer and an hour later the dog was still biting so we gave her another tranquilizer and an hour later she was still biting, wobbly but biting. Gave her another pill and an hour later she finally passed out so we could groom her. Her breathing was so slow we wondered if we’d killed her. It scared the “you know what” out of the both of us. The dog didn’t come around until just before his owner (a cop) walked back in the door.
I learned a very valuable lesson that day and I prayed that dog wouldn’t die and I swore to never, never, ever again tranquilize another dog and I never ever did.
See you on the road,
Marea
P.S. email me your comments and suggestions,
mareatully@yahoo.com.
Groomed for Sales
By Lisa Fortunato
Your customer is at the counter ready to pay for FiFi’s grooming session. Do you give them a token unwrapped biscuit as an easy “thank you,” or do you have a program in place that extends to retail sales?
While giving a treat is customary, let’s face it, it is gone in a gobble and there is no lasting impression and knowledge as to the brand, flavor or nutritional quality associated with this gesture. Even if you get them to make an impulse purchase,how do you keep them as a steady retail customer?
Here are a few suggestions that can keep FiFi (and her owner) coming back for more.
1. Keep a history file on FiFi. Note her birthday, allergies and whether her human’s celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. While it is easy to offer a generic treat to acknowledge these dates, if you present a gift that is packaged specifically for birthdays and holidays the owner will feel special. And if you have the ability to offer this treat in a wheat and corn-free variety, not only will the owner feel pleased that you remembered an important date, but also touched that you are aware and concerned for FiFi’s health.
2. Time check. Note the days and times FiFi’s human prefers to bring her in. Is it every other month on a Wednesday at 11 AM? If so, a week before the expected appointment reverse the traditional buyer-seller roles. You be the one to call the customer to conveniently offer an opening on Wednesday at 11 AM. The customer will come to expect this reminder call and now consistently bring FiFi in for a grooming, rather than when it fits into their schedule.
3. Offer your impulse counter items in small re-closeable containers. This way the treat itself is compact, the crumbs minimal and the walk–about treats can either be kept in the car, purse or pocket. Again you have reversed roles and it is your customer who is now willing to buy their own good dog treat.
4. Implement a frequent grooming card program. First, determine whether the card is complete after a certain number of visits or a specific dollar amount spent. One unique idea would be to offer a discount on a new grooming service – a treatment of a new conditioning shampoo for dry skin, a five-minute massage or even a pedicure! Given at a discount or for free, if the customer notices a favorable difference they will ask for that service at their next visit and be more than willing to now pay for it.
5. Get your name out there. Whether you have bandannas embroidered with your company logo or ribbon printed with your company name and phone number, let your customer’s advertise for you. If you are located in a city and FiFi walks out wearing a bow around her neck, other dog owners will notice the ribbon as she walks down the street. Take advantage of the fact that dog people talk to other dog people.
If your current customer is stopped and asked as to where FiFi got her ribbon and new haircut you have a potentially new customer in the making. After the compliments, FiFi’s human will be happy to gush about the little extras that your grooming salon offers.
After all, FiFi is not just a dog, but also a member of the family. If you can capitalize on that fact, you find new avenues to incorporate retail sales into your grooming business. The fourth quarter is just around the corner, so make your buying plans and get started!
Lisa Fortunato is the President of Robbie Dawg, Inc. which bakes handcrafted organic dog biscuits daily at their facility in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. They offer biscuits in seven unique flavors and biscotti in three. Biscuits flavors include: Turkey Sausage and Romano Cheese; Bacon Cheddar (wheat and corn free); Beef Barley; Peanut Butter, Carrot and Wheat Germ; and more. Committed to using only the finest organic ingredients, Robbie Dawg bakes with organic grains, real cheese, free-range, antibiotic and hormone free poultry, grass-fed beef and nitrite free pork. Salt, sugar, preservatives or any artificial colors or flavors are never added. Learn more about Robbie Dawg’s new retail program for groomers by contacting them at (718) 855-1552, or email them at Robbie @ robbiedawg.com.
Exciting Alaska Groom Boat Cruise
in May
The Groom Boat Alaska cruise is setting sail in May 14-21, 2006! Our premier, week-long Alaska cruise brings exquisite service, exciting excursions and a magnificent transport through the last great wilderness.
Scenic cruising is made even more enjoyable by eighteen hours of daylight that lasts throughout Alaska. Enjoy the scenery of the Inside Passage, Galloping Hubbard Glacier and Yakutat Bay. The Inside Passage contains miles of unspoiled tree-lined coast with an abundance of waterfalls gushing with spring’s glacier melt. Sleepy wildlife bask on large sea worn rocks, forging for fish in salmon rich bays. See a bald eagle soaring above or a humpback whale clearing the water!
Galloping Hubbard Glacier is five miles long and forty stories high! Witness thunderous crashes and mighty cracking of centuries old blue ice pieces as large as buildings toppling into the sea. Mount Logan and Mount Elias stand tall and proud behind this mighty glacier as part of a continuous 150-mile scenic mountain range piercing the horizon.
Yakutat Bay, “the place where the canoes rest,” is a remote, misty and peaceful bay between Juneau and Valdez. The bay attracts seals, otters, humpback whales and other water wildlife.
Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia, will be
ports of call. Juneau is the gold rush capital of Alaska, surrounded by Mendenhall Glacier. Walk about the fun town of rustic shops, enjoy dog sled rides, raft past the Glacier, fish, bike, hike or go to Tongass National Forest.
Enjoy the historic Russian Capital Island of Sitka, under the shadow of snow-covered Mt. Edgecumbe Volcano. See onion-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral and National Historical Park. Relish downtown shopping, observe marine wildlife including seals, seabirds and the famous Puffin bird.
Ketchikan, the Frontier Town, is built on stilts over calm water, making it perfect for fishing or kayaking. Delight in shopping, visiting Totem Bight State Park or Saxman Village, and enjoy some native smoked salmon.
Victoria, British Columbia, is a lovely island off Vancouver coast. Stroll through the charming downtown that lives up to its name with double-decker buses, turreted castles, fine woolens and delicate china.
Pet Pro Seminars will be taking place on the cruise with top speakers in the pet care industry. Before the cruise, make a stop at the Pacific Northwest Grooming Show. This show is taking place from May 12th to the 13th, 2006.
We have a great price on this cruise. Enjoy staterooms with private bathroom/shower, all meals, onboard entertainment, Pet Pro activities and seminars, Club HAL for the kids and more. Starts at $1229 per person. Oceanview begins at $1559. Balconies are from $1669.
For more information, contact Judith “Lucy” Wheeler at 407-898-5353 (from Monday through Thursday 10 – 7, Friday 9 – 6 EST.) or send an e-mail to lwheeler@nlg.com. Tell her you are considering the Groom Boat Alaska.
About twenty years ago I worked for a municipal animal shelter, just north of Seattle. One afternoon I was called to a house where an elderly, reclusive woman had passed away. It was not uncommon for the Coroner to call the shelter to take care of a cat or dog of someone who died unexpectedly. In a back room of her home were more than twenty purebred Cocker Spaniels, stacked three high, in wire cages. It was not a good thing.
By the look of some of the dogs, we were the first humans to touch them, other than their now deceased owner. Getting the dogs out of the house was a laborious job. Most of them were fearful and had to be transported in their cages. Once the animals arrived at the shelter, it was time to bathe and groom them. Grooming terrified, poorly socialized dogs is not an easy task. About half of the dogs were so violent that they were deemed unadoptable. A dozen of the twenty were nice enough to make friends with their new guardians. After many hours of wet, soapy turmoil, our dozen golden Cockers were ready to find new homes. Their recent neglect was imperceptible – on the surface.
After a newspaper article chronicled the dogs’ history, the public response was terrific. The newspaper listed the number of animals available and when citizens would be able to adopt them. On the designated adoption day, about thirty people showed up before the office opened, just to get a chance to adopt the rescue dogs. Within an hour, all twelve of the dogs were adopted by loving pet owners. The pet owners and the staff were pleased that the animals would be going to homes that were far better than their previous one.
Feeling rather smug about our good work, it came as a shock a few weeks later when the dogs began returning to the shelter. Each of the new owners was apologetic, but firm, they simply couldn't keep the dog. Though we were initially perplexed by this unexpected event, a pattern was soon evident. In each case, the complaint was the same – the dog could not be housetrained. All efforts to teach the dogs to eliminate outdoors failed. Using a crate to confine the dogs merely confined the subsequent mess and insured that the dog would roll in feces and urine and have to be bathed – a not so easy process for these poorly socialized dogs. Our glee over our imagined happy ending was short-lived. We had made the dogs look beautiful on the outside, while neglecting a major problem on the inside.
The cause of this problem was relatively easy to identify. The dogs' original owner had led an isolated existence. She had few visitors, and far too many dogs. As her health began to fail, the difficulties of caring for the dogs became insurmountable. At first, she allowed several of the dogs outside at one time. Soon she was less able to handle even two or three dogs simultaneously. Taking the dogs outside one at a time increased her workload and decreased the likelihood that the dogs would receive more than minimal attention. When she was overwhelmed by the magnitude of her daily routine, she left some of them in their crates for many hours at a time. The more unruly dogs were confined almost constantly, which led to more unruliness and therefore more confinement. As their owner grew less mobile, the confinement increased until all of the dogs would periodically be forced to eliminate in their crates. By the time she died, the woman had unintentionally taught all of the dogs to eliminate where they slept.
While this example illustrates the problem on a grand scale, many pet owners face the same challenge on an individual basis. Once an animal loses all inhibitions about their toilet area, it is very difficult to get them back on track. If you are faced with this most difficult housetraining task, here are a few steps that might correct the problem.
1) The first step toward successful housetraining is to avoid any form of punishment or scolding – even if the dog is caught in the act. The problem is that the animal has never been properly taught how to do what you desire. No amount of scolding will teach him how to do that which he does not know how to do. Punishing a dog for incorrect elimination is as pointless as slapping a baby for messing his diaper.
2) The dog's food and water intake must be monitored closely. For well trained dogs, free feeding and constant access to water is fine. For a dog with a housetraining problem, these conveniences will merely postpone a solution. A regular feeding schedule can help you predict the times when the dog is most likely to have an accident and when the dog is most likely to be successful. A veterinarian should be consulted about this new schedule to make sure that the dog's nutritional needs are properly satisfied.
3) Another strategy for speeding a dog's housetraining is to temporarily limit the animal's world to a small part of the house. Keeping the dog on a tiled floor in the kitchen, for instance, makes it much easier to clean up accidents that are inevitable during this type of re-training.
4) Keep a small notebook handy to record each accident. Often a pattern of accidents will become apparent only because of good record keeping. If you spot a pattern, you may be able to adjust the dog’s eating, drinking and play times to better predict when Fido has the urge to eliminate.
5) The fastest way to switch a dog's elimination behavior is to use treats and affection for correct potty habits. Many people avoid using food in training despite the knowledge that food is a powerful tool for strengthening behaviors.
Until the behavior is firmly established, a food treat is appropriate every time the dog successfully eliminates outdoors. Once the behavior is firmly established, the treats should be offered occasionally to keep the dog interested in doing the right thing. Keeping a bowl of dog treats at the back door is far easier than maintaining a carpet shampooer.
Gary Wilkes is an internationally acclaimed behaviorist, trainer, author, columnist and lecturer. With more than 25 years experience working with dogs, including eight years of shelter work, Wilkes offers insights into canine behavior based on vast experience and keen observation. Gary Wilkes is responsible for the innovation and development of clicker training as a practical methodology for dogs. Visit his website, www.clickandtreat.com, for information and products.
Therapy Ribbons
By Bonnie Wonders
Making bows for the finishing touch on a freshly groomed dog is more than an art form. I recall when I first learned to make them and tried using a hemostat to hang onto the rubber bands. I had the locking kind and found that all I accomplished to do was increase my four-letter word vocabulary more often than not. I was either cutting the bands in half with the thing or kept getting it stuck in the lock mode.
After several days of futile attempts, I enlisted the help of my mother. That in and of itself was an education ... for both of us. She was convinced that she was ready to be put into a nursing home rather than fight with those gum bands. After all her complaining about the task, I was ready to put her there. My dad on the other hand was certain that he had gotten his last homecooked meal as Mom spent days huddled in a corner amidst a sea of ribbon notches and escaped rubber bands.
I then learned to use my fingers to wrap the elastic around the ribbon. As I taught Mom to do the same we both went wild for several weeks making our creations. Dad learned to eat a lot of toast, and Mom and I both acquired calluses in the joints of our pointer fingers. We went through a period of decorating the centers of the bows with everything imaginable. I learned many things from my mistakes. For instance, don't use super glue for anything that involves a small decorative center and big fingers. I also learned that hot glue guns are really brutal when you are gluing anything that is metal. Lastly, check your pants before you go out in public when you use the glue gun. It's really embarrassing when you walk around unbeknownst to you with strings of glue blobs on your butt.
So over the years, bow making has gone from an art to a healing ritual for more than just myself. In my shop, we call the bags that hold the finished ribbons "therapy" bags. It's something like this...
I started out with one large plastic grocery bag to put finished bows into. This bag hangs from a rod that holds the ribbon spools. I noticed that some days I produced dozens of bows in my free time. These days were those when I was under the most stress. When a grouchy customer or dog troubled me, I made bows. When I had a fight with my sister, I made bows. (Those days I made dozens more bows...you'd have to know my sister.)
I have now passed on this tradition to each person who has worked with me. It's a natural progression, this habit. When Lou works with me and has a particularly rough time with one of her daughters she goes to the bag. Believe me, she has cranked out some doozies over one of them in particular. At one point she had gone through so many rolls of ribbon that by the end of the week she had single handedly emptied 16 spools. (We had to switch to hefty bags to store them in that week.)
Now, Jackie is carrying on that tradition. During the period of her break-up with her long time boyfriend, she began some intense bow therapy. Then, when I fixed her up with the mailman, she slacked off. During that time I had to resort to making them myself.
Then came the period of the break-up with the mailman and the contemplation of going back with the boyfriend. I was relieved of my bow duty once again, as she stood in front of those spools intent on her plight. For weeks, each dog could have been decorated from head to tail at the rate she was going.
Then from the old boyfriend, back to the mailman. Once again, I found myself storing bows in any available space. She was having a hard time deciding this one, being pursued by both men. However, it has ended up that she's back with the old boyfriend.
This period has been hard on all of us. Yesterday, as the mailman stopped for his lunch break at the shop, he needed a shoulder to lean on. "I guess it's really over this time," he was saying. He put his meatloaf sandwich down and started fingering the blue spool of ribbon within his reach.
I handed him a pair of scissors and the box of rubber bands.
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List of Toxic Customers
by Daryl Conner, MPS, Meritus
It’s the call that makes you cringe. If you see the name on caller ID, you want to chuck the phone across the room. If you hear the voice on the answering machine, you feel your skin begin to crawl, and it is all you can do to force yourself to return the call. You’ve got a problem; it’s the dreaded toxic customer.
Toxic customers come in a variety of guises. There is Appointment Breaking Annie, the one who consistently begs to get in on a busy day, then no-shows, leaving you with a hole in your schedule and your bank account. Then there is Late Larry, the guy who either shows up an hour late to drop his dog off, or worse, an hour late to pick up, leaving you standing, tapping your toe, when you could have been home with your family. Let’s not forget Check Bouncing Charlie, the nice enough guy who is sloppy with bookkeeping and makes you pay!
Oh, and then there is Ultra Needy Nancy, the one who calls three or four times for long chats before she ever books Poopsie’s appointment. She then interrupts your day repeatedly while Poopsie is with you, “just checking in.” Next, she shows up early, making sure Poopsie hears her voice and does the happy dance all over your table as you are trying to finish her up. Bitey’s Mom is on the list, too… the very nice lady who owns the very nasty dog.
My personal favorite is Last Time Lucy. With this customer the conversation always starts with, “Last time you cut Boo Boo too short.” Or, “Last time you left Boo Boo too long.” Or, “Last time Boo Boo shook his head three times after he got home and one eyelash was 1/16th of an inch longer than another!” There is always some flaw with “last time,” no matter what you do. You know the types, I am sure you have met these clients and more – people who stand out in the crowd of really nice customers. These are the customers that take the joy out of our jobs.
For most of us, grooming does bring us joy. There is the wonderful contact we have all day with well-loved companion animals. There is the almost instant gratification we get when we are able to turn a grungy looking critter into a clean and lovely one in a fairly short period of time, and there is the delightful affirmation we receive from the customers who truly appreciate our work. It would all be good, except for those few toxic folks who cause us stress and make us not want to go to work on a day we know we’ll have to deal with them.
So why do we deal with them? Sometimes it is because they are not quite annoying enough for us to tell off. Sometimes it is because they really are annoying, but we like their dog enough to put up with them, and sometimes it’s because we just don’t know how to tell them to take a hike. We don’t want them to go away mad, we just want them to go away!
Some of these folks could be retrained. Good customer service skills can turn many difficult clients into excellent ones, but sadly some folks will remain a constant problem, and those must go! So, how do we send them packing? Somehow we must tell them they are fired!
Confrontation is not comfortable for most people, and firing a customer is definitely confrontation. Not only that, but when we do ask them to go elsewhere, we realize that our decision is going to hit us where it counts, in the pocketbook. We also fear that these folks will speak ill of us to friends and family, and cost us business. What we need to keep in mind is that there are plenty of pleasant customers out there who will fill the void left by the difficult ones, and friends and family of the difficult types assuredly know the sort of people they are dealing with and will most likely take any criticism of you with a grain of salt.
So, how do we send the toxic customer packing? Creative groomers find a variety of ways to get the job done:
Don’t raise the roof, raise the rates! If you raise the rate you charge, some annoying people will leave of their own accord. Then again, some will stay, but will suddenly seem much more pleasant to deal with when they pay us more. Consider this a difficult client surcharge. If Larry makes you wait, bill him for your time, too! If making our bank account richer still won’t make this client worth the trouble you can try…
The Letter – A polite letter mailed to the home of the customer can inform them that you will no longer be able to offer them service. You can choose your wording at a time when you are calm and unruffled, and totally avoid any face-to-face unpleasantness. This is a little cowardly, but sometimes it’s the
way to go.
You call them – All the joy of telling them to go away, none of the face-to-face awkwardness. Many groomers find that preplanning and preparing a speech is helpful. They even write it down and keep it at hand before they make the call. Its okay to be vague, “I am so sorry, but I am cutting down on the hours I work and I can’t groom Fluffy any more. I can recommend you call…” (Fill in the blank with another local groomer.) If they argue, just repeat yourself, calmly. Don’t argue back. Eventually they’ll get tired of hearing you say the same thing over and over and hang up.
They call you – One nice way of sending a client away is to not have any appointments available when they call to schedule. If you tell the unwanted customer that you have no appointments available until 2009, they will be forced to go elsewhere.
Up Close and Personal – Sometimes there is no way to avoid the dreaded one-on-one confrontation. One effective line is, “We have decided that you and your dog will be happier someplace else. I can recommend ____ grooming. Their number is _____.” One groomer I know sweetly tells complaining customers, “We only want happy customers here.” She repeats this phrase until the customer realizes they are being dismissed.
A problem is the difference between what you’ve got and what you want. If you have customers who give you heartburn and you want to be heartburn free, cut them loose. Life is too short to spend it dreading dealing with the sort of people who suck all the light out of your life. Keep the joy in your work, lose the toxic customers!
Exchanging ideas and information about mobile grooming! That is the goal of this fledgling mobile association. The American Mobile Groomers Association is a professional trade association that provides valuable credibility, networking and education that help foster success. The association was formed to promote excellence among mobile groomers and to serve as a voice for this expanding industry. AMGA is managed by Barkleigh Management Group, Inc.
AMGA maintains a Pledge of Professional Conduct that is designed to guide members in business, and represents the highest standards of ethical behavior and humane attitudes toward pets and people.
The Pledge consists of four main areas. Those who join the AMGA association must agree to respect fellow professional mobile groomers and treat employees, customers and competitors with honesty and integrity. Members must refrain from saying, writing or doing anything that would defame competitors or bring embarrassment or dishonor to the mobile grooming industry. The association is serious about maintaining a good reputation in the community and pet care industry.
AMGA believes education is the key to success. The association supports this belief by contributing to the ongoing education of its members and by serving as a resource center and referral service to pet owners and mobile groomers. A nationwide Referral Network of mobile groomer members is provided to pet owners and members through the membership headquarters.
Members will receive education with a National Annual Conference featuring recognized authorities in pet care and mobile groomers as speakers, and many state, local and regional meetings run by the membership also.
There are benefits of AMGA membership. Members of AMGA pay an annual membership fee for which they receive:
• Forum for the exchange of ideas and information
• Pledge of Professional Conduct by members
• Beautiful frameable certificate
• Quarterly newsletter with helpful tips and useful information
• National website with a nationwide referral service
• On-line message board
• Support and promotion of regional and local member meetings
• AMGA license tag
• Official membership card
• Window decal
• National mobile grooming convention
• Annual membership roster
• Use of AMGA logo in advertising
• Groomer to Groomer magazine
• Groomers Club membership – buyer’s discount
• Mobile Groomer magazine (published yearly)
An on-line member message board is for all mobile groomers to share tips, news and talk with other members of the association. Go to www.amgroomers.com.
What items do you like to stock for Christmas sales?
Are there particular items or products that work well for you?
We stock up on bandanas made of our area's NFL football team colors/fabric. We sell out every time! We use the proceeds for charity! Amie Tolomeo, Berlin, NJ
The best movers are the less expensive but sturdy smaller stocking stuffers. Homemade treats, balls and chew bones. I buy Christmas toys on clearance after Christmas for the next year or book early for best prices at the company you trade with most. You can also buy Christmas material after Christmas really cheap and stitch some holiday bandannas early in the year. We give them to customers with each grooming but they love to purchase spares. Cheryl Piech, Livingston, Tennessee
I like to carry the Christmas collars with the bells. They sell well. I don't sell a lot of products even though I have them. People walk in with blindfolds on. Hope that helps! Pam
For Christmas I always give my clients stuffed dog bones, or what ever cute stuffed toy Pet Edge has for Christmas. They love these! I also make sure everyone leaves with a Christmas bow in their hair, or a bandana around their neck. There is hot cider and cookies for my clients’ owners as well. I love the holidays! Rhonda, Running Brooke Farm, Senoia, Georgia.
I give each of my doggie clients a munchy candy cane.
I buy them very inexpensively and tie a Christmas ribbon around each one.
It is a simple yet thoughtful way to thank my customers at this wonderful time of year! Laurie Levine, Designer Dogs, Largo, FL
I am mobile and give Christmas gifts to my really good clients. These are the ones that book every two to six weeks and wouldn't care if you charged them $100 to do their dog; they would still use the service! They are the ones that actually seem like they care about me and my family as much as I care about them and their pets. For the really good clients I bought out the whole stock of ceramic dog cookie jars at Wal-Mart. I think I bought around twenty or so at $7 a piece. The dog was holding a bone between its paws with a small photo frame. I took pictures of their pets and placed them within the frame and filled them with assorted dog treats. For my other regular clients I got plain basic holiday theme jars and put dog treats in those. Then for the ones that aren't so regular and for new clients that called for holiday grooms I gave them a goodie bag with paw prints on it full of different cookies. The clients were really grateful for the jars and treats. Beth Haire, Maw N Paws Mobile Grooming
Items I have found that work well are different scents of doggie mists and gift certificates.The one scent that people like at Christmas is Holly Berry by E-Z Groom. Diane Charuk, K-9 Wash & Go, North Syracuse, NY
For any holiday season, but Christmas most of all, I handmade all of our bows and bandanas and our customers really love to stock up on an assortment for their diva dogs and cats to show off to family members at holiday parties! We like to take specific orders. Some of the bows are quite elaborate and can make any pet look like a super star!
Our holiday colognes are also well liked. Gingerbread and sugar cookie scents are a popular request among our clients! Erin Callahan, Zoom Zoom Groom Mobile Pet Salon, Kershaw, SC
Last year we sold party collars for the holidays, and they were quite the hit!
As a note, at one seminar that I attended, we discussed holiday cards and treats. One of the attendees mentioned he sent Christmas cards to all his regular customers. The presenter stated quite bluntly that if that business owner had sent him a Christmas card, he wouldn't shop at that store again because he is Jewish. Oops! So, be sensitive to celebrating the holiday season, without putting it into a specific religious context. There are several religious holidays that fall around Christmas time. I send holiday greetings that are generic, and still appreciated by my clients. Pat Littlecreek Pat's Pet Emporium, Ltd Oak Park, IL
Last year I stocked stuffed toys and green and red tennis balls. I am not sure what to do this year. I have a lot of balls and toys left over. Margaret Cistone, Kirton Kennel, Hanover, PA
We have theme packages for Christmas, which include a cinnamon scented cologne spray and a Christmas charm for their collar. We also have Christmas theme bandanas and hair bows. On the sales floor however, Petsmart sells a lot of Christmas-themed toys and treats. We even sell reindeer antlers and Santa hats for the pets and also collars with bells or blinking lights.
Jaime Battaglia, Petsmart, Jacksonville, NC
I found small Christmas colored rope toys for $.49 each, so I got a bunch! Rope toys and tennis balls seem to be the best! Sharon Jeffery, Blue Hill Dog Grooming, Chaffee,
New York
Holiday collars just flew off my shelves last year. We have already put in our order for this year. I order the cloth collars from Elmo's Closet . They have a big selection for everyday, seasonal and holidays. Other years it was Christmas T-shirts. Small inexpensive toys sell well too. I look for small stocking stuffer items and keep them near the cash register for impulse buys. Diane Betelak, Heads and Tails Prof. Dog Grooming, Liverpool, NY
I'm new at retail, but I was thinking of trying Christmas cards, decorative collars and gourmet holiday cookies. Other groomers I know have stocked a lot of Christmas items that haven't sold, so I'm going to look for something unique that can't be found at the local Cheap-Mart pet aisle! Helena Buettner, Madra Pet Styling, Milwaukee, WI
Christmas has always been difficult to find a sale item that you won't be stuck with till next Christmas. I found the stockings they can fill or the candy canes that are hollow (the ones that kids get candy in) and put bones in them to sell. You can empty them after the holidays if they don't sell. Teggy Smith, formerly of Teg's Canine Clippery, New Cumberland, PA
We stock all sorts of Christmas items from stockings to collars. The biggest seller I think is the faux fur jingle bell collars. Sue Seivertson, Copperfield Groomers, Houston, TX
I try to stock up on the squeak toys and this year I am going to home bake goodies for customers to buy for their dogs’ stockings at Christmas. Heather Hart, Hart's Pet Grooming, Johnson City, TN
Fancy Christmas collars, leashes, bandanas and Christmas-themed treats. Harriet Spivey/La-Donna Sizemore-Weitkamp, Luxury Pet Services, Richmond, KY
I always buy stuffed dog toys for 99 cents or less in different sizes. I print mailing labels (on my computer) I designed for the holidays with a place to write the dog’s name on. Example:
Happy Holidays To: Fido
From: Anne's Grooming.
I attach these to the label on the toy. The owners are thrilled with a toy that retails for five or six dollars and I have heard that the dogs play with them and they last a long time. For the bigger dogs I get tennis ball type toys or pressed rawhide bones. No one leaves without a toy, starting the first week in December. If I am sure they will be back I don't give the toy until right before Christmas. Anne Stewart, Anne's Grooming, Tucson, AZ
I buy inexpensive chew bones in bulk and tie pretty ribbons around them. The dogs and customers love it and appreciate the thought. "Josephine the Groomer", Josephine Milea, Staten Island, NY
Every Christmas our grooming shop gives toys to the dogs. I look all year for something cute in the price range of $1.00-$1.50. I have already bought and have 200 toys to pass out this year. We also pass out things that didn't sell so well. A few of our longtime very good customers get a free bath every year. Denise and Darcy, Dog In Suds, Encinitas, CA
Chris Pawlosky’s Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Do you want to save time? You must have a squeaky clean dog. The cleaner the dog, the faster it dries. Oils left behind, a lot of conditioner in a coat and dead undercoat, that holds water, slow the drying process. Many believe there is a lot of time saved by cage drying. I am not one of those people. I find that with the modern force air dryers on the market, cage drying (cool to warm air) should be left for special need pets only.
I start by quickly force drying pets while in the tub to start the straightening process. I place each in their resting area until I am finished washing all my pets for the day. I start by drying smaller curly-coated dogs, then large curly-coated breeds, straighter coats, and save my heavy double-coats till the end. This allows the Collie types the most time to air dry. When bathing I follow the opposite order as mentioned above for optimum results. For you show Poodle people, my maintenance baths on my show coats are brushed out, conditioned heavy, forced off quickly and then air-dried most of the day. If it is nice outside they can play in the sun a bit.
Mastering a force dryer takes time. I recommend a slow methodical movement, keeping the nozzle far enough away from dogs’ skin to allow hair to be blown straight away. If the nozzle is too close to the pets’ skin the ends of the coat will whip around and you will cause tangling.
Work around the dog evenly. You will want to rotate around the dog about four or five times. I start at the rear of the dog and force over every inch, saving the head for last where I remove the nozzle or use the stand dryer. You can see exactly where it is (or is not) dry and this gives you an opportunity to notice any abnormalities on the skin.
Coats that are dried are separate and look fluffy; coats that are wet stick together and are kinky looking at the skin. Once dry I take a stand dryer with warm air and brush the dog out. Now the pet is ready for me to finish. I have been grooming a while now and have dried a few dogs, many different ways. This is my process today but with the next great invention, it could change tomorrow. It is easy to be a fast stylist when you have perfectly prepared pets to work on.
Save time,
Christina Pawlosky
Mother Nature's Grooming Shop
by Rose Ann Heisel
Grooming is hard work. Four walls, sink, faucets and fluorescent lights are dull and boring. Having to clean up the water and mess is time consuming and not really productive.
One day, as I groomed my horse outside in the wash stall, I watched the birds, bees, flowers and butterflies and realized I was having fun. At that moment the light bulb went on as it suddenly hit me – I could have fun in the sun everyday grooming outside, in nature.
I ran across the field to my Minnesota home-based grooming salon and pushed the chairs and tables off our cement patio and went inside my salon to pull the bathtub outside onto the patio where it now resides. I do have a security style fenced backyard where I always let the dogs play, so it made sense to let them all romp around with me, until it was their grooming time.
Since working with Mother Nature, I know I have created the closest thing to a heavenly grooming experience you can imagine. I discovered the hard work of grooming is now a relaxing experience for me, the groomer, and the dogs love it too.
To my surprise, clients are excited about the way their pets are pampered in my new Mother Nature spa approach. I guess one doesn't need to be a mobile groomer to see the outside world. How great it is to enjoy the clean fresh air and the sounds, sights and colors of nature, instead of the back wall of the tub room where all those hours are spent doing one of the most important parts of the whole grooming picture - bathing the dog. To put enjoyment back into your life, just follow my four simple steps and I can help you get a new leash on your grooming day.
First, use a high-rise bathtub. I have a Booster Bath that takes center stage on my patio. The Booster Bath is easy to get in and out of, especially for those bigger dogs, and puts less strain on my back. Water drains into the grass instead of all over the floor, and the smell of shampoo floats in the breeze to leave the air with a lovely scent. The shampoo I use doesn't kill the plant life and everything is green and lush. The shampoo also attracts butterflies that are entertaining to the Terriers.
For the bigger, heavy coated breeds, I have a grooming table next to the tub where they walk out of the tub and onto the table so I can blow the excess moisture and hair off. This eliminates extra lifting on my part.
Second, let the gentle breeze of nature take over drying. I dry their coat with help from the Dri-Eaz Sahara dryer, which continues the outside drying process of the dog, who is now in a wire crate with just enough sun for total comfort. Drying goes so quickly, the dog has little time to get bored, and I am saving time and money. I also like this method for corded breeds as well. As the dog dries, all the loose hair floats away and birds make their nest from it. How much closer to nature can one get?
While the big furry pet was drying, I quickly dried the smaller pet on the grooming table with the Dry Dog by Dri-Eaz on low speed and nature's breeze blowing around me, fluffing up the coat. There is nothing better than a good shampoo, mixed with my special grooming concoctions, all activated by nature’s finest drying system – fast moving air and the warmth of the sun.
Third, let nature do the work. I enjoy the lower electric bills, free soft lighting and getting a nice natural tan while being outside on beautiful days, watching the grass grow because of the free flowing water from the hose and tub. Just think, no more plugged up drain systems from hair. You are simply giving back to nature while getting pleasure from the great outdoors.
Four, take your show on the road. All this equipment is light, very portable and easy to transport. Think of an ill or busy client who would give you the world to have you groom their pet at their home.
Oh yes, mess is reduced in my salon. Both the dogs and I enjoy the sights and sounds of the great outdoors and I have extra energy to give a nice deep massage to each dog by using gentle magnetic massaging balls that calm and relax the pet.
I do keep the cell phone in my pocket and appointment book near the tub for all those important bookings. Just when you think it can't get any better, I turn on relaxing music with soft drum beats, chirping birds and rhythmic flutes to set the stage for incoming guests.
Welcome to my world of Mother Nature's creative grooming!
Gifts of Love Grand Canyon
Bike Ride
How would you like to bike around the Grand Canyon? What a great way to meet groomers from all around the country, and people from all around the world and raise some money for charity, too.
Don Kassebaum, of Gifts of Love International, is raising funds for three different construction projects in poverty-stricken areas. He is doing this by organizing a Grand Canyon bike ride. This event is a five-day, 283 miles trek that goes from the Grand Canyon through Bryce and Stout Canyons to Zion National Park, enabling pet pros to discover this awe-inspiring gorge at its best. This adventure will take place from May 26th until June 3rd, 2006.
Gifts of Love International are partnering with Aid International, a Christian fundraising organization, to raise money during this once in a lifetime ride.
The Grand Canyon in itself is exquisite. It stretches 277 miles long, ten miles wide and nearly one mile deep. The bikes will be furnished and participants in the bike ride will be provided with food and lodging. The only thing riders will need to bring are bike helmets.
“Anybody that wants to pedal a bike can ride. You do not have to be a biker.
You can be young or old,”states Don Kassebaum, founder of Tropiclean Shampoos. Don also encourages those who can not ride along for a long time to join in. There will be a vehicle to ride along on when riders get tired.
If you can not participate in the bike ride, you can still contribute to the total. Put together a fundraiser in your salon or send a donation to the Gifts of Love International organization.
This fundraiser will be benefiting three different construction projects. One of these projects is to care for children and widows living on the streets in the mountainous regions of Barcenas, Guatemala. The other two projects are for an extremely poor village of Guatemala called Rabinal and one in Zambia.
The registration fee is $400 and the sponsorship target is $4,000. Aid International will help participants learn how to reach this goal.
Recently, a series of emails have gone out from Barkleigh to the grooming community. Our fellow groomers, hit by Katrina, needed help. Wanda Dewberry, owner of the Gulf Coast Pet Grooming Rodeo and Whispering Pines Doggy Dude Ranch, Gulfport, Mississippi was positioned to assist. A hurricane victim herself, she has been in close contact with the groomers in her area. Of the 33 shops in the tri-county area, six were demolished, nine were heavily damaged and the other 18 sustained damage.
Wanda has become the center of relief for these groomers. She had power and well water for the groomers to clean up their own dogs as well as those of their community and former clients. They have also cleaned up many rescue dogs so that they could be transported out of the area for adoption. Many of the groomers are working out of car trunks.
As a result of the emails and your generosity, Wanda writes, “Earlier today, I watched many groomers, some of whom have lost both their homes and businesses, take the first steps towards rebuilding their lives. I watched dismay turn to disbelief and then tears as they were handed equipment needed to get their businesses and lives back in order. The wonderful donations by manufacturers, groomers and friends has made this happen. I thank you on behalf of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Groomers. By your giving, the journey to rebuild has begun.”
In an effort to rebuild their businesses, they desperately need more equipment such as clippers, blades, brushes, combs, shears, tables, dryers, shampoo, EVERYTHING.
They are also looking for functional mobile vans/trailers to be leased or donated. A donation slip can be provided. These vans could be used as central shared locations for several groomers to work out of until they can rebuild.
Please ship any extra supplies you have to
Wanda directly. UPS has resumed service to her area.
Wanda Dewberry
Whispering Pines Doggy Dude Ranch
11119 Allen Rd.
Gulfport MS 39503
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride
Groomers with the Drive
to Succeed are going
Mobile
Andis Family
Celebrates 84
“Hairy” Years
Exciting Alaska
Groom Boat Cruise
in May
You’re FIRED!
Ridding Your Client List
of Toxic Customers
Chris Pawlosky’s
Grooming Tips
Drying to Save Time
Gifts of Love Grand
Canyon
Bike Ride