Mobile Dog Grooming for the Tampa Bay Area!
Serving: Bloomingdale, Brandon
Fishhawk Ranch, Riverview, and Valrico
Small Dogs, Nervous Dogs, Older Dogs, Happy Dogs,
Curly Dogs and Squirrelly Dogs!
One day several months ago, I heard on the radio that many dogs had been rescued and taken to Hillsborough Animal Services. I didn't even know which breed had been rescued but the news program stated that they hadn't been taken care of very well by the breeder that had owned them. Well, it just so happened that I had a full tank of gas and a full tank of water in my Mobile Grooming Van. Customer had called and rescheduled because her dog was feeling ill. So on a whim I drove to the Shelter.
The Coordinator of Volunteers, Cathy , welcomed me. It turned out to be 60 0r 70 Yorkies that they had to take care of. I offered to groom the doggies who were in a condition that might prove challenging for the day-to-day volunteers. It is easy to get hooked on volunteering for dogs who are in need. I came back the next day(which was a Saturday). I came back on Monday(after I rescheduled my customers, bless their hearts for being understanding). That is how I first became aware of the need for my time and expertise at Hillsborough County Animal Services. As this Cause, Event, Demonstration of Effort...goes on this month...I will share more about what I have learned while volunteering there and I will be volunteering at other shelters too.
My day to do some serious 'Grooming for a Cause' was an example of how sad it is that the poor stray, surrendered, lost dogs have to depend on us to be taken care of.
I started out at the Hillsborough County Animal Services Shelter...
This little guy was matted tightly to the skin. After a couple HydroSurge Bubble Baths, a skillful HydroClippering, and a final bath with an all over Massage by Hand...Voila!
Today I find myself driving 20 miles away to "Heidi's Legacy" in Lithia, Florida.
Lauri Hoffman has been running this dog rescue for many years.
Smartened up a nice Schnauzer.
We'll pretend the other little fellow is a Border Terrier.
Sweet little MaltiPoo was too worn out to show off for an After-Pic.
Please touch the pictures
with your cursor (AKA Pointer).
You will then be able to view the dogs
after their grooming experience.
Here you will be able to see just a few of the "Ready to Love" Pets.
By the time that you see them, they will be enjoying "Forever Homes" already.
You may view dogs that are waiting to become pets on the websites listed below.
I came to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay with the quest to make Chloe, a Malteese/Mix a little prettier. Chloe really reminded me of a Havaneese that I groom. Chloe didn't go to heavean after I groomed her. I had forgotten to take her after-Pic. I caught up with her on her way back into the shelter but my camera steamed up because of the heat outside.
While taking Chloe out for a potty-time, I noticed a little Black Something/Poo that was being exercised
by a volunteer who's name was Barbara. The hair on his head was so very long compared to the skinny clip that he was sporting on his body.
He joined me and Chloe and got the full treatment. Bubble Bath, Fluff Dry, and smartening up of his sweet face.
His name was Vann, as in "Vann the Man".
It's true, his ears don't match. If he enjoyed a good diet, and some love and excercise, his coat would grow longer and his face and head would then look really cute in a longer cut.
Then a knock comes on the door... the volunteer, named Barbara has a white poodle mix that could use some smartening-up. The little dog had just arrived at the shelter and she really had no clue what was going on.
Little Tiffie was a hit for the Photographer from the
St. Petersburg Times.
She was an angel baby.
Bruno was a one-eyed Shitzu who was Mr. Charm. A perfect gentleman through and through.
Dog groomer gives shelter pets that 'take me home' look
By Traci Rader, Times Correspondent
In Print: Friday, October 23, 2009
When they arrived at the Tampa Bay Humane Society, Tiffy and Bruno were hardly picture-perfect pooches. Tiffy, a bichon frise with matted, soiled white hair, and Bruno, a one-eyed Shih Tzu, were dirty and tired, a hard sell for a loving owner, much less a person in search of a pet to adopt.
Enter Emily Pryor, known in her trade as "Miss Emily." Pryor, who owns That's Groomer to You, a mobile dog-grooming service based in the Brandon area, swooped up the dogs and took them to her van for a day of pampering. She gave them warm lilac bubble baths and combed the knots from their coats. She cut their toenails and trimmed their hair.
Tiffy got a blueberry facial to get the brown stains off the white hair around her mouth. And just so Bruno wouldn't feel left out, he got one, too.
"She transformed them," said Sherry Silk, the executive director of the Tampa Bay Humane Society. "All these dogs have the potential to be beautiful. We really appreciate Miss Emily."
Tiffy and Bruno are just two of more than 20 rescued dogs in Hillsborough County that have been lucky to come across such pampering from Pryor.
She grooms the dogs for free as part of "Mobile Grooming for a Cause." The campaign was launched nationwide by Wag' n Tails Mobile Conversions, a Granger, Ind., company that manufactures vans like Pryor's. Across the country, 1,300 van owners are participating in the program, which aims to beautify shelter dogs during October, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.
"A nicely groomed dog has a much better chance of being adopted," Pryor said.
Several months ago, she heard that 60 Yorkies had been rescued and taken to Hillsborough County Animal Services. With her business slowing because of the sagging economy, lots of free time on her hands and a full tank of gas, she figured grooming needy dogs would be a great way to give back.
"I offered my grooming to Animal Services knowing that getting (the dogs) ready for adoption might prove challenging for their day-to-day volunteers," Pryor said.
After her first grooming session in July, she knew that she was doing the right thing. Smitten, Pryor kept coming back.
On a typical service call, the dogs enter her van — a self-contained grooming studio with a water tank, steel tub, dryer, grooming table, central vacuuming system and an onboard generator providing electricity — like canines on a pampering mission. Pryor gives them a shampoo with conditioner, blow dry and a haircut if necessary.
Pryor marvels at how well behaved the pooches have been.
"They lay like canine croissants in the bathtub two and three at a time waiting for their turn," she said. "It was like they knew why they were here."
Pryor, who has also groomed dogs at Heidi's Legacy rescue center in Lithia, says the work is addictive.
"It's also helped me keep my sanity now that my client lists are down," she said.
In doing her volunteer work, Pryor has become a bit of an evangelist for the dogs' cause.
"Each of these dogs stretches their little necks trying to look out the window while I groom them whenever a person or car comes near," she said.
"They are sure that someone is looking for them. Maybe that someone is you."
I stopped at the CVS to buy a paper after a lady called and praised me for being a good deed doer.
I cried when I read the last
two sentences in the article that Traci Raider wrote for the
St. Petersburg Times, right there in the drugstore.
Then I was on my way to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
I had to stop what I was doing when I saw these sweeties "Looking for someone who must be looking for them."
There was absolutely nothing going on outside the van or in their view from the van.
Bubbles and Cuddles Boutique
for Fine Grooming Essentials
at the Big Top Flea Market
Fowler Rd. Exit 265 I75
Thonasahasa, Florida
You will Find...Affordable, Economical, and "Made for Professionals" Combs, Brushes, Shampoos, and Conditioners.
Espree & EQyss Products
Sat. & Sun. 9AM-4:30PM
Maintainance Mania Demonstrations
At…NOON, 1, 2, 3 and 4
On Saturdays & Sundays
How to comb and brush
your dog’s hair like a Professional.
and another thing...
Look for ...
Duffy's Cupboard
Homemade Tasties for the Doggies
No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy
Pumpkin Buttons-Organic Pumpkin Puree & Apples.
Deliver Da Liver-Fresh Beef Liver and a special flour
Meat & Potato Tasties-Lean Ground Chuck and Potato Flour
Opal loves Peanut Butter Posies.Duffy's Cupboard is full of Yummy Treats.Meat & Potato Tasties are a Hit!.
Duffy's Cupboard is full of Yummy Treats.Meat & Potato Tasties are a Hit!.$1.00 per package or 6 for $5.00
Mix & Match
Call and Order in Advance. 728-9407
These Tasties are handmade and must be kept refridgerated.
Please, Don't Make us Wait for
Delicious Tasties from Duffy's Cupboard!
Not so New...but interesting.
If only there were more hours in each day, then I could offer more grooming for the shelters that can olways use more volunteer help.
