WARNING TO PET OWNERS: My family had a horrendous mobile grooming experience with "The Waggin' Wagon" last week that resulted in surgery on our 3 year old labradoodle's ear (9 stitches). I strongly advise not taking your chances with this company because in the event that an accident happens, the owner "Wayne" will leave you and your pet high and dry. He denies any responsibility for our pet's injury and medical bill.
Our 2 dogs were groomed last Thursday. The groomer arrived right on time, asked how short I'd like them to be trimmed. I told her she could go pretty short on their bodies, but try to keep their heads, ears, and tails long, but there is some matting, so it's okay if she needs to go short there too. She spent roughly 4 hours with them in the van. When she brought them to my door they looked beautiful & super excited. Because of the rainy weather, covid19 social distancing policy, and both dogs' overall beauty, I quickly handed her a check with tip, told her thank you, to drive safely then rushed inside to finish the day of virtual school assignments with our 3 kids. The next day (Friday) when I was rubbing behind her ears, I felt something crunchy in her (very long) ear hair. At first I thought it was a dead leaf or pine needle, but when it wasn't coming out, I started pulling back more of her hair to get a better look. Upon closer inspection, under her long ear hair, there was a "V" shaped laceration on the back of ear that was secreting a yellow fluid. I immediately took a video and pictures and sent them to "Erin" (who I communicated with to book my Waggin' Wagon appointment) and to my animal hospital. Erin was very alarmed, apologetic, and sincere. She asked for me to keep her updated after the vet saw her. I explained to her that the vet said she would in fact need stitches which would require anesthesia. The surgery went well. The incision was deeper than originally thought upon first examining it--part of the detached flap of skin was not salvageable so removed, and the remaining edges of the skin flap were trimmed to create a more viable seam with fresh blood supply to better ensure a healthy reattachment. Erin was still very sincere, apologizing repeatedly and said she was going to call her dad "Wayne" the owner of Waggin' Wagon to see how they could help the situation, and for me to send a copy of the vet bill. I thanked her for her sincerity & told her I understood that accidents happen--that I'm sure the groomer must not have even realized she cut her. The weekend passed, Monday passed--still no word back from Erin or Wayne. Tuesday morning, I called Erin to follow up, but she didn't answer. Instead, she sent a text that said: "Good morning! I have turned this all over to Wayne (our owner). He has told me he is calling you today!" I thanked her and waited for Wayne to call. Later that day, I received a call from him. My heart sank into my stomach as he informed me that his groomer loves dogs, did not cut my dog's ear, and because I didn't notice the laceration the same day as the grooming, he will not be contributing to any of her medical care. I explained to him that I'm assuming the laceration was an accident--that the groomer might not have even been aware of doing it; that the vet told me the "V" shaped incision looked like a pair of very sharp scissors created the triangular laceration; that our family/dogs have not left the house due to the shelter in place advisory with the exception of leashed walks in our neighborhood or free play on our lawn which is enclosed by a 6' wooden privacy fence. Wayne insisted that I couldn't prove his groomer caused the laceration--that my dog could have JUST AS LIKELY injured herself in our yard on a stick or anything sharp. After a lengthy conversation of him digging his heels into the sand, Wayne proceeded to tell me he was going to "end the call." I have heard nothing more from anyone affiliated with "The Waggin' Wagon."
I would leave a zero star review if it were an option.
*Side note: The only blood or red scabbing witnessed by me during this entire situation is from her sutures that are in the process of healing which makes me inclined to suspect an adhesive or blood-stop substance might have been applied during her grooming. read more