Anjie Coates

Layla is a Beagle mix I’ve groomed for her entire life, and she is known at the salon as being the happiest dog ever born.

Maurice: “I’m ready for my spa day! Groom me,” as he leaps out of his carrier into a sploot on the table.

Finn is a Miniature Pinscher who has a reputation for biting everyone and anyone when he doesn’t get his way. However, his owners are rather shocked that he’s so compliant for most of his groom…

Libby comes into the salon, shoves open the half-door, and runs down to my table where she hops up and sits wagging.

Augustus, commonly known as “Gus,” always enjoys a nice relaxing spa day. Some may say he enjoys it more than most, as he’s been groomed his entire life. My assistant, Angie, grooms cats with me so she can keep them happy while I do the…

My friend Amy Remy was competing with her dog, Walter, in Salon Freestyle when we were at Intergroom so I got to babysit her other Wire Fox Terrier, Gwen, for her while she was in the ring.

Every spa day for Beethoven begins the same way. When his Mom’s car is stopped at the four-way outside the salon he begins to whine. The whining escalates into a near frenzy when he gets to the salon, then the frenzy turns to screaming the…

Valeska is a lovely, exuberant and silly Doberman who always gets her nails painted each month in something seasonally appropriate, and she enjoys it perhaps a bit too much…

“You can nap later, dear. Your Grammy is expecting to pick you up soon, so we do need to get you done,” I remind her.

Stirling is a Furloughed Favorite Lab from the National Education for Assistance Dog Services organization. She wasn’t meant to be a service dog because her favorite things are eating and sleeping. She’s a monthly regular in the salon and loves spa day.

“OK, buddy, we have to get you on the table,” I say as I lead him over to the table where he hops up a whole seven inches to put his front feet on the table.

Molly is a black Pug that has been coming monthly for grooming since she was a puppy. She can’t stop kissing, which has earned her the affectionate nickname of “Kissypants.”