PEA RIDGE — Hot summer temperatures are hard for humans to bear, but also for dogs.
Shirley McCann’s Maltese, Penny, led her to the grooming business.
Penny stands patiently as McCann holds one leg at a time and carefully trims the hair around the pads of her paws.
McCann has been in the business for six years and calls herself a “country groomer.” She developed an interest in the business through regular trips to the groomer with Penny and received hands-on training in Fayetteville.
Pampered Paws opened early June at 955 N. Curtis Ave. and accepts all breeds of dogs, but no cats. McCann offers all grooming needs, including bathing, nail trimming, haircuts and shavedowns.
McCann has a regular customer who brings his two Bernese mountain dogs to be shaved every summer.
“They are bigger than a Saint Bernard, like a bear. I have to have help because it’s an all day shave-down,” she said.
In summer heat, it’s important to provide dogs with lots of shade and fresh water, she said. Also, flea and tick prevention is important to keep them comfortable. Not all dogs need shaving in the summer if their coats areproperly maintained.
McCann says she brings patience to the business.
She has dealt with dogs that have had prior bad experiences with groomers. She does not medicate the animals, but allows them to be medicated by their owners.
McCann also accepts small dogs during the day for doggie-day-care. But for larger breeds, she has a 12-acre boarding facility at her house outside of town off Patton Road, where she lives with her husband Chris and daughter Julia, 5.
The facility boasts nine dog runs and three different sizes of kennels, each kennel having its own doggie door out to a covered area, then to a fenced yard.
She says the dogs get to be social and play with the others.
“I’ll take them for a walk and let them smell the country,” she said.
Boarding prices varies depending on size, from $12 to $20 per day. She asks the dogs be up to date with current shots and flea and tick maintenance.
She provides Purina dry dog chow, unless the dog requires a special diet.
She asks owners provide a bed or blanket that they won’t get upset if “a neighbor chews it.”
Summer grooming hours are Tuesday through Friday by appointment and begin around $35 for small dogs, increasing depending on the size of the dog. To make an appointment, call 451-WOOF.
Community, Pages 7 on 07/28/2010