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New groomer will take care of your Mangy Mutt

Groomer Amy Bessette dries off Tanner, a Terrier mix, before his hair cut Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Mangy Mutt Dog Haven in Middletown.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Groomer Amy Bessette dries off Tanner, a Terrier mix, before his hair cut Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Mangy Mutt Dog Haven in Middletown.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 11:22 AM Thursday, August 6, 2009

Pamela Bridges was fed up with her mangy mutt — or rather the haircut she had to pay for up front for her Saint Bernard.

“I don’t like the surprise of most of the dog grooming places where you pay up front and then your dog comes out with the mange, which (my dog) had,” she said.

As the owner of Options Hair S2DIO on Elliott Drive in Middletown, Bridges said she prides herself on pampering her clients, and is not paid until they are satisfied with their hair cut. So why shouldn’t a dog be treated the same way?

That was the logic behind Mangy Mutt Dog Haven, a new animal grooming salon open now at 1226 Elliott Drive, next to Bridges’ salon. It will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 11 a.m. PAWS Adoption Center will bring animals available for adoption. Drinks and snacks will be available from La Raza Mexican restaurant.

The shop transfers the human experience of a salon boutique into a dog grooming platform. Tropical designs and serene music play inside the salon, which is meant to look “more like a Hawaiian luau than a hospital” unlike other grooming outlets, said Sean Havens, operations manager.

While Bridges said some may worry about the economy, she had the financial means to invest about $60,000 to open the store and create seven new jobs in the area, two of which are certified groomers. As business picks up, she hopes to add more.

“People love their animals just as much as they love their kids, and they will take care of them before they take care of themselves,” she said.

The grooming salon features four large, temperature-controlled tubs made specifically for dogs. Customers can elect to wash their dogs themselves in the tubs, saving them from having to clean up the mess an at-home bathing would require.

An appointment can also be made with a certified groomer, which includes options such as a bath, flea and tick treatments, drying, cut and style, teeth and ear cleaning, nail clipping and checklist that can be presented to a vet if any irregularities are noticed during the grooming.

Mangy Mutt also prides itself on its store hours. The shop is open until 8 p.m. on weekdays in addition to being open on Saturdays and Sundays, Havens said.

“We are catering to the average Joe who can’t wait a month to get their dog groomed,” he said. “We’re there for the 9 to 5 people who don’t want to have to make an appointment on a Saturday a month away.”

In addition, anyone who adopts a shelter dog can bring in their papers and get their pet’s first grooming free, Havens said.

For more information on Mangy Mutt, call (513) 423-6888.

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Thanks to Mangy Mutt Dog Haven for having PAWS over today. Thanks to La Raza for the beverages! Everyone should support Mangy Mutt! If you do not have a dog that needs to be groomed, there are plenty in need of homes at PAWS!! I reccomend Ellie May and Steve!!

Just think, you and your pet can make hair appointments for the same Day!

Jonathan Bryant Dean

Jonathan Bryant Dean
6:21 AM, 8/9/2009

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Jonathan Bryant Dean
6:20 AM, 8/9/2009

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I was just in there today. I took two of my dogs in to wash them myself. I had their nails clipped while I was there. One of the groomers noticed one of my little dogs had dry skin and recommended the oatmeal shampoo for her. Both dogs enjoyed the warm bath and I enjoyed being able to stand up while washing them and then leaving the mess behind. I will be taking my other two dogs in for a wash soon.

NewsJunkie
11:26 PM, 8/6/2009

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We took Our dog there this week. We loved the way he looked and Our dog loved the way he felt with being pampered. This place is awesome, great prices, friendly people and knowlegable staff.

We now have a new place to have our dog groomed !

Mark
11:58 AM, 8/6/2009

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Well if you can trim my Yorkies and NOT make them look like Schnauzers, you've got my business! I'll definitely give it a shot.

goodnews
11:56 AM, 8/6/2009

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