New business works up a lather

ORONO – The address at 2 Mill St. has gone to the dogs. Literally.

June Morris’ Dirty Dog Do It Yourself Dogwash offers dog owners the opportunity to suds up their beloved canine family members in an environment designed specifically for that purpose.

For Paul Guay of Bradley, the dog wash provides more than just a chance to wash his dog. Abby, an almost 7-year-old female German shepherd, has allergies.

“The vet recommended weekly baths with oatmeal for her skin,” Guay said.

He described the dog wash as “a beautiful place” and returned a second time to bathe Abby with the oatmeal shampoo. He also bought a brush for her. He plans to take Abby to the dog wash on as regular a basis as his schedule will allow.

“I think it’ll probably help her,” he said. He described Abby’s reaction to the experience as “not bad.” She did not like the blow dryer much, but tolerated it well enough so that Guay was able to dry her both times – the first time on the grooming table, the second time on the floor.

“She’s a lot cleaner,” Guay said, adding that Abby smells good, too.

Morris first saw a self-service dog wash “when I was in North Carolina,” Morris said. “I actually thought it was a great idea.”

In addition to her cat, Allie, she has two dogs of her own – a Labrador-golden retriever mix named Shadow, and a Jack Russell mix named Karma – and knows first-hand how difficult bathing dogs at home can be. She described the home scene as one in which the owner is bent over a tub, knees and back hurting, with wet towels strewn around and water going all over the place. And after all the effort the dogs still don’t come out clean, she said.

With Dirty Dog Do It Yourself Dogwash, Morris hopes to provide a more comfortable environment for those who want to keep Fido and Fifi fresh and fluffy. Steps lead up to elevated tubs so dogs can walk right into them. A harness in each tub holds the dog in place so the owner can have both hands free. Hand-held sprayers allow the washer to easily wet and rinse the washee.

“And I have warm water so they won’t freeze to death,” Morris said.

The per-dog fee includes shampoo, towels, apron “to keep you a little dry,” Morris said, as well as soft scrubbies to brush or lather that Morris described as “like a little massage,” brushes, combs, and the option to blow-dry the dog. The dryers employ room-temperature forced air that blows the water from the dog without heat. The system sounds much like home blow-dryers, Morris said.

The facility has matted tub bottoms and floors so that both dog and owner can stay on their feet. And Morris provides a variety of pH-balanced shampoos such as flea and tick, oatmeal, highlighter and shampoo-conditioner combination.

There are grooming tables for owners to dry or brush their dogs, and clippers for trimming toenails. Owners are free to clip their dog’s hair, too, but must provide their own clippers for that.

Some pet stores offer do-it-yourself dog washing as well as grooming services, but Morris wanted her facility to focus on washing and cleaning dogs, and she does not offer grooming.

Cat owners also may use the facility, as the shampoos are appropriate for several kinds of domestic animals.

Morris recommended that those with puppies start early with baths to get them used to the process. She pointed out that washing older dogs on a regular basis will help them get into a routine. And having kids participate with washing their dogs at the facility will help them learn what is involved in bathing a dog.

Dogs must be on leashes at all times. Those who are known to be aggressive should be muzzled, and Morris prefers that all be current with immunizations.

“I haven’t had anyone come in yet that shots weren’t up to date,” she said.

After bathing, each dog is given a bandana of the owner’s choice. Treats also are available for dogs who may need to be coaxed into the tub, or as rewards following the bath.

Morris offers discounts based on the number of visits and on referring other dog owners.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Morris now lives in Garland. She opened the dog wash on April 15 and is the sole staff for the business.

“I am chief, cook and bottle washer at this point,” she said. She does the laundry, mops the floors and cleans, sanitizes and disinfects the tubs after each use. She averages about five to eight customers a week, but hopes to see five to 10 a day.

“That would be fantastic,” she said.

Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 Friday and Saturday, and Sundays by appointment.

For information about Dirty Dog Do It Yourself Dogwash, call June Morris at 889-8080, or e-mail morrismj24@aol.com.