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I have been bringing my two small dogs to this dog groomer for over a year. Two women run the business, one of whom is pleasant, the other is always abrupt. I liked the haircuts and the place seemed clean so I continued to go (at least one of the women was nice). Yesterday, I dropped off the dogs for a 9:30AM appointment at 9:15AM and I was told they would be ready around 3PM, but to call first. My dogs are always there for hours to the point of it being ridiculous, but, as I said, I thought they did a pretty good job. I tried calling around 2:15 but the phone was busy for over 45 minutes. I realized she had probably taken the phone off the hook because she had told me her partner was sick with pneumonia and would be very busy that day. She DID, however, know this when I booked the appointment with her. I finally received a call at 3PM that she needed more time and could I come and pick the dogs up at 4:30. I said "sure" and told her I wouldnt be there until 5/5:15 because of something work-related I needed to do. When I arrived at 5:15 one dog was still not done. To make a long story short, she gave me the one dog and told me to leave because the other dog saw me and could hear the other dog and so was becoming fidgety. She told me to go to Dunkin DOnuts and wait. I asked her if she knew how long it would be because I was expecting dinner company and I lived 25 minutes away. She proceeded to explode and yell at me. Her helper came out and then physically accosted me by stepping into my face. I couldnt even reply I was so shcoked and then they told me I was scary the dogs? I could see y other dog through the window shaking on the table. She then told me she would only accept cash from me (and she accepted other forms of payment before of which I have proof). I told her to just give me my other dog back but wouldnt do so until I ran to an ATM. The helper then called in two rather large men from a place next door to surround and intimidate me.
My dogs had nothing to drink since 9:15 AM and by the time I left it was at least 545PM. One dog didnt move all night from the couch and now has diarrhea all over the house.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THESE PEOPLE ARE OBVIOUSLY ILL AND WILL USE VERBAL AND PHYSICAL INTIMIDATION. I thought I was in the twilght zone.
I too had a very similar experience as Dorina Aldo. I dropped my dog off in the am. I made it crystal clear that I did not want my dog shaved down. At 4pm I received a call that my dog had not been worked on yet. When I did finally go to pick up my dog, you guessed it, he was shaved right down. When I questioned why she would do that, after me telling her not to, she tried to tell me it was because he was too matted, which he wasn't. Then she became rude, belligerent and hostile. I informed her that I would be filing a complaint with the better business bureau, to which she stated, " if you do, I will say you abuse your dog". This women has serious mental issues. Not only will I file a complaint, but everyone I know, now knows, not to take their animals there. Word of mouth grows exponentially. Oh, to the person who wrote she's known these "groomers" for 29 years. No, shame on you, for trying to put the blame on the customer when you weren't even present. Apparently you don't know these people as well as you think OR maybe you're just that lunatic I dealt with just trying to cover her butt.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE THAT I TYPED OUT AND READ INTO HER VOICE MAIL (LEFT SUNDAY 4/22/12)
Hi, I am Dorina, Bella’s Mom
I am leaving a message because I am still very upset at what happened Thursday, the truth of the matter is Bella either fell or jumped from the table twice as there were bruises on both sides of her hind quarters consistent with a double jump or fall. I am so upset I can’t tell you. The good thing is Bella did not break any bones, Thank God, but both sides of her hind quarters are badly bruised and I will be taking her back to the vet Wednesday as now we have to make sure that no blood clots settle in the bruised areas. Seems the stiffness was shock, her heart rate was up when we got there but her gums were OK. She has been resting. I took her to a friend’s house with me yesterday, she wanted nothing to do with anyone, Bella stayed on my lap the entire time we were there. My heart is broken, to see her like this. As this is not like her at all.
On another note, Bianca and I went to visit you last week to discuss Bella, we told you then that we didn’t want you to cut back her face/head area, you could trim that area, but we liked the Yorkie look. We discussed brushing her teeth, clipping her nails, emptying her anal gland, all of which we don’t think were done. Also when we made the appt we told you that we needed to pick up Bella by 2:30 -3PM the very latest because we had to leave here by 3:15 to get Bianca to gymnastics by 4PM. Since we spent an hour at the vet, Bianca missed gymnastics altogether.
I was told that there is absolutely no excuse for a dog to jump or fall off a grooming table if they are secured properly; I mentioned that it bothered you that we were talking in the waiting room. She asked if there were signs that said “no talking or quiet” I said no and your door was held wide open to the outside I said the waiting area was about maybe 6 feet by 8 feet with 2 chairs a small table and the entrance door was open to the parking lot …
I wrote this out and I am reading it into your answering service because I am so upset if you made an out of the way comment I would probably not respond in a civil manner. You can respond to my answering service at [protected]. I said I would call to let you know the outcome and I did. (AS OF TODAY 4/26/12 THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM THIS GROOMER)
PLEASE PLEASE IF YOU LOVE YOUR PET DON'T TAKE IT TO THIS GROOMER - I AM SICK OVER WHAT SHE DID TO MY DOG!
This is a true statement that just happened ... today is April 26, 2012, what shocked me the most is this groomer asked questions acted genuinely interested, then practically shaved my dog. Then when she was injured she wanted to take her out into a busy parking lot to see if she could walk. If you cannot walk inside the area what makes her think she could walk outside. Not only that, but her location is busy with cars driving in and out constantly certainly not looking for a small dog. The only good thing is she did not take any money, but obviously didn't care about my dog, she never called to see if she was OK and when I left a message she still didn't respond. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG TO THIS GROOMER, IF YOU LOVE YOUR DOG, GET A REFERRAL FROM YOUR VET, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW. ONCE AT THIS PLACE WAS ENOUGH FOR ME AND MY DOG AND ANYONE I CAN TALK TO! THIS IS CLEARLY THE "NOT SO" ELEGANT PAW, AND OBVIOUSLY I NEVER MADE MY APPOINTMENT AT 4PM, SPENT AN HOUR AT THE VET, EMERGENCY VISIT ... I love the "pro groomer" she loves them so much she won't leave her name!
Groomer not only injured but made a mess of my dog. At interview visit discussed trimming body & legs, leaving her face "the Yorkie" look, trim nails etc. Appt for Friday. I told her I needed an AM appt, had to pick her up, take her home and get to an appt by 4PM. Bella was there at 10:25AM Friday, April 20, 2012; reviewed what was to be done, only wanted her to trim her face area etc. I arrived at The"not so" Elegant Paw, door open to busy parking lot. I see my little yorkie, almost bald, yorkie look gone! Groomer sorry said she was alone ALL DAY, says barking dog is her "jealous" dog If so, why are you working on another dog right under her nose? She let my Bella jump off the table, she went rigid, front legs were not moving, this woman wanted to take her out to the parking lot to walk. Why would you take a frightened injured dog to an open parking lot where she could get hit by a car? I rush my dog to the vet & find she had bruises on both sides of her hind quarters, so she fell off the grooming table twice or was grabbed by the groomer so hard she was bruised. Groomer not even honorable enough to call and see how Bella is. My poor little dog had been through so much after her visit to The "NOT SO" Elegant Paw & vet that I did not return to the vet again until today. SHE DID NOT, Trim claws, etc. One thing she did not take the money for her terrible job. IF YOU LOVE YOUR PET, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT TO "THE ELEGANT PAW AND SPA, 619 LOWELL ST. W. PEABODY, MA
I've known both of the groomers in question for 29 years. Although as with any business dealing with animals the unexpected happens and the dogs may well not have been done when promised, it's equally true that it can be dangerous to the dog to complete a grooming when the dog knows the owner is there - wiggly dog + sharp cutting objects = potential for disaster. It's good that the owner was asked to wait elsewhere, although I'm sure annoying to this customer. There is, however, no way that these professional groomers would have behaved in the manner described for no reason. I think it likely that the verbal and physical intimidation was on the part of this dog owner. Shame on you for not owning up to your part in this!