We live in Kalamazoo and we don't have any self serve dog washes in our area. When our dogs need…read morebaths it's an event. The dogs get a bath, the bathroom gets a bath, the washing machine gets a workout and I need an entire day to recover after. Team VP drove to Hillsdale to pick up the newest team VP member at the Hillsdale Humane Society yesterday and I decided to find a dog wash that was located on our way home so we could avoid the mess created when a new dog team member moves in.
I found Doggie Spa and Play Care online and called ahead to make sure their hours and terms listed online still applied. Everything checked out. We knew we would need longer then 30 minutes ($19 for the first 30 minutes), so I asked about an extended time and was told it was $5 more - no problem. We arrived on Wednesday at around 3:30 p.m. and were checked in about one minute. The process was a two page form that required general information including name, address, vet name, immunization information, etc. Easy stuff.
The grooming room was really big and had two tubs, two tables, and two dryers. They also provide everything needed including towels, shampoo, nail clippers, brushes, and combs. We brought our own tools because we have a preference for our gear that we have been using to groom our other Aussie, but having everything provided for someone who does not own expensive tools is very nice.
We were able to thin out Clementine's coat and not have to worry about cleaning up her hair, we brushed her coat with both an undercoat rake and comb and just let the hair fall on the floor without thinking about who was going to pick it all up, and we did not have to think about cleaning out the tub after her much needed bath. (The elevated tubs are amazing with sprayers that get under heavy undercoats and easy to control water temperatures.)
Mr. MVP transferred Clem to the table and we used the dryer, which made quick work of Clementine's heavy coat, which means we did not need to use 15 towels. We were able to clip her nails and with the help of staff we even learned how to clip (all of our dogs have always had black nails, but Clementine has white nails) Clem's nails correctly.
On our way out I picked up a new bottle of organic oatmeal shampoo and we paid $36 for shampoo and bath and headed home for a short 30 minute drive. Obviously it's not the most convenient trip to Kalamazoo, but it's only 30 minutes and when both of our Aussies need a bath in the future we will be making the trip because it surely beats having to spend an entire day cleaning up hair, cleaning the bathtub and doing the laundry at home.