Because I'm Happy...

Welcome OLIVER to the SPOTlight!

My beginnings: “I was still a puppy, living with my parents and two siblings.  Life was good but I knew that the time with my immediate family was limited. Then along came Trisha.  My littermates and I saw her and thought she was pretty cool.   She played with all of us but we knew that just one of us was going to be the lucky pup, so we all put on our best show for her.  As she looked over the three of us wiggling in our pen the anticipation built.  Then she bent down and picked ME up. Score!  I just found my new forever home! That was 12 years ago.  Life is good.”

Trisha says that Oliver is all boy.  He's a rough and tumble, not-afraid-to-get-his paws-dirty kind of guy.  He loves to go on walks and get his belly rubbed.  As soon as he hears the leash he runs to the front door.  And when he’s excited, he doesn’t just wag his tail – he wags his whole rear end!

Four questions with Oliver:

Your favorite food: Um, anything?  Bananas are my fave.  

Your favorite movie would be: Ratatouille, ’cause it’s all about fooooood.

Your favorite song: Pharrell Williams’s Happy

In honor of Halloween, what’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you? Oh gosh, I fell into a pool when I was a baby! I didn’t know how to swim, it was so scary!  But my humans fished me out, shivering and sopping wet. I haven’t really wanted anything to do with water ever since then. Except I love coming to Pet Groomerie because even though I’m all boy, I do like to get spiffed up and clean and I love looking my best. See?

 Happy and handsome: that's Oliver for you. We love you, Oliver!

In Memoriam

"Until one has loved an animal, part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~Anatole France

This blog post is dedicated to Pet Groomerie's First Lady, Aggie, who passed away on June 11 at the age of 11.  She was the inspiration for this whole company; the dog who let new groomers try their skills out on her; the sweet face that greeted us at the office; a friend, companion, sister, family member.  She is deeply missed and her absence is keenly felt.

Tim and Jessica got Aggie when she was a puppy.  As Tim tells it, while Jessica had to convince Tim to get a dog, by the time Tim spent a few weeks one-on-one with little Aggie, she had carved a permanent place in his heart. He recalls reading two excellent books on dog training, How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising A Puppy, both by the Monks of New Skete. One piece of training advice the books gave was on how to become the "leader of the pack" in your dog's eyes. The monks recommend going somewhere without distractions, placing your puppy down, and walking away, without looking back. Your puppy will follow you and when he does, he's established you as the alpha. Tim recalls doing this with Aggie in the woods, and remembers when she caught up to him. He has never forgotten that moment:  it was one of those moments that felt almost primal, in which the bond between human and dog became crystal clear. Aggie helped Tim realize the responsibility we owe to these wonderful animals who make our lives better -- make us better -- and who trust us with their lives and well-being.

Making Aggie part of their pack was, for Tim and Jessica, integral to their forming Bright Eyed Pets in 2005. Aggie was the poster girl -- you can see her on the first mobile van below.

The Muse

She even became the sweet pup on whom groomers-in-training practiced their skills. She was part of the inspiration for Scenthound, too, whose mission is to ensure that even dogs who don't need regular haircuts still get regular care and maintenance.  

Aggie was a regular fixture the office:

Madame President

And she made the Vogel family -- and the Pet Groomerie family -- complete.  Aggie was a gentle, sweet, kind, lovable pup who will forever have a place in our hearts.  

Puppy joy!

You're not leaving, are you?

Rest in Peace, sweet girl.

Fifi in the SPOTlight!

It’s time for another customer profile.  Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Fifi to the SPOTlight!

 Today our Rover Reporter interviews the “Dog on the Grooming Table:”

 RR:  Hello there, you’re looking lovely.  What’s your name?  Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

 Yorkie-Poo:  Whassup, I’m Fifi!  I love laps, playtime, and road trips.  I’m a person in a yorkie-poo body. I love rough-housing with my dad but it’s no fair ‘cause he’s way bigger, being a human dude and all.

RR:  You sound intriguing, Fifi.  How did you come to own your humans?

 Fifi:  Oh my word, those folks saved my life.  I was on my way to the shelter, leaving my second family who just didn’t have enough time for me.  Those were the dark days, when I spent at least 8 hours a day in a kennel with hardly any exercise or attention.  I ain’t gonna lie, that was a tough time.  But then my humans came along and fell in love with my sweet face instantly, and the rest is history.  Now I do what I want when I want, pretty much – no cages, no leashes, no restrictions.  It’s pretty awesome.  My mom even cooks for me!

 RR (salivating): Wow.  I’m jealous!

Fifi (laughing):  I bet you are, honey!  Y’all can come over for dinner anytime.

 RR: Aw,thanks. What else should the public know about you?

 Fifi:  Well, I love to dance and twirl (but not twerk, that’s just tacky).  I love riding on my humans’ shoulders – I never fall off, even when I am walking from one shoulder to another.  Guess you could say I’m pretty talented.  But if you ignore me, I’ll let you know, know what I mean?  Even if I have to crawl all over you, climb in your lap and sit my booty down.  Oh, and my parents think I'd look and sound like this lady if I were human. She doesn't have as pretty curls as I do but she is talented, so I'll go with it.

 RR: I heard that. Loved her on Glee. Well, what’s your stance on cats, Fifi?

 Fifi:  Oh honey, I hate ‘em.  I tried to give ‘em the benefit of the doubt, even introduced myself to one once, but I got rudely rebuffed.  I’m still upset by it, honey, when I think about it too much.  Now I steer clear of all of ‘em, even (ahem) my aunt’s ceramic one.  I’ll tuck my tail, put my ears back, and jump into your arms if one of them nasty felines crosses my path.

 RR: Why do you come to Pet Groomerie, Fifi?

 Fifi: Oh child, I love this place.  We saw the Pet Groomerie ad on Facebook and made an appointment.  My humans and I were real nervous the first time ‘cause we hate to be separated and because of my unhappy past, but when I met the groomers and staff, I was all calm, cool, and collected.  Now I feel right at home here.  And, well, look how smokin’ I look when I’m all done!

 RR:  No argument from me there, Fifi.  You look marvelous, darling. 

 Well, folks, you heard it here first:  Fifi the Yorkie-poo, another high-stepping, sass-talking member of the Pet Groomerie family.  We love you, Fifi.  Mwah!