Cutie-Paws Dog Grooming

About

Helping dogs look and smell their very best with a few licks and nips along the way.

Story

Back in 2005, when it became more apparent that I would not be able to continue working on my feet for much longer, due to a prior back injury, I knew that I needed to change my line of work. I always had a great love and respect for animals, so I consulted my dog`s breeder, Patti Paquette. She has been one of the top breeders of Shih-Tzu in North America for many years. She had also, by then been grooming dogs for about 35 years. I knew after our first conversation that this was my calling. At that moment Patti became my mentor. Helping me and teaching me every step of the way. However, groomers usually work on their feet and soon the question became, how am I going to groom if I cannot stand for long periods of time. Well, my grooming tables were built at a level where I can groom sitting down. A little unconventional, but it works very well for me.

I opened my doors in Aug 2005 with one client. I knew, that it would not be enough to support myself, so I continued to work both jobs. Around this time fate took over, a very special, spiritual gifted woman by the name of Doreen South, came into my life and forever changed it. She was travelling through Espanola, and ended up staying where I was working at the time. She felt compelled to take me aside to let me know how the future of my small business was going to change. At that time I did not know Doreen at all since she was from Cornwall, but she I felt an instant connection to her and that gave me the motivation to continue building my business. Since that initial meeting, Doreen and I have become great friends and she has helped me along the way, guiding me, lending me her ear and helping me make good business decisions, and I am forever grateful to my dear friend. She is, and always will be a very important part of my life. Three years later, I had acquired approximately 300 clients. I then had to make the difficult decision of leaving my comfort zone, and transitioning from being employed by someone to becoming self-employed. It was a very exciting, but also, a terrifying idea. So, I left my full time job to continue working for myself full time. Another huge change came in Jan 2009, when Cutie-Paws Dog Grooming relocated in this much needed larger area. Going from a 200 square foot room to 1100 square feet of space.

Fast forward to 2013. I now have close to 600 regular clients and business keeps growing. I have one full time bather/grooming assistant, that I depend on quite as bit, and I would not be able to groom as much as I do if not for her. And of course, my husband Rob, who spends quite a bit of time on the phone making sure that all my appointments are filled, by keeping clients on a schedule.

The decision I made 10 years ago, change my life for the better. With every bath, every pass of the clippers and every trim with the scissors, I have grown as a groomer and especially as a human being. I love every dog and cat that have come through my doors. And as for those that have passed on, well the pictures on our bereavement board remind us never to forget them. They will be in our hearts forever.

I provide my clientele a clean and safe environment, so that they can leave their four legged children to us without any worries. We also use the best products and tools available to us in this field.

Come and see us at 121 Barber St. Side entrance.