[CurlyDog]

So I splurged and spent $180 w/tip to have the dogs clean and fluffy for our drive to VA. Got to my parents house and Max wouldn't leave their Schipoo alone. Then threw up on my mothers carpets 4 times (just excited and drinking water too fast) and jumped on the sofa. So day two we had to take them to a kennel. When I picked them up they were FILTHY and smelled awful. Needless to say I spent the first part of our short visit with my inlaws hunched over the tub! I wanted to scream!

My MIL was a good sport about it though. All in all still a nice trip. We're pulling off the turnpike now. Almost home.

 

[CurlyDog]

I'm glad it's not just me. We don't board that often and don't know what the norm is. They do offer a pre-pick-up bath but after I just spent a small fortune on grooming, I couldn't justify it. I figured they'd be a bit dusty and I'd brush them out. Abbie must have been really bad cuz they gave her a complimentary bath but Max stank! Our dogs have never smelled so bad. Oh well. They're safe and healthy and back home now. Time to let it go!

 

[CurlyDog]

Wow. That's awful. I'm not terribly surprised. I've had some grooming disasters at Petsmart. I've also had jobs well done. It varies wildly. I think the good groomers work there temporarily and move on when a better job comes up.

I had one that called me when my collie was to be finished only to tell me that the only option was to shave him. I said no thank you and picked him up. He was not in his best shape since I was traveling and my husband missed an appointment but he wasn't matted. It was a big job and I told them I would pay accordingly. I took him to a mom and pop kind of place and for the same price as Petsmart, he was beautiful. She said he was no problem at all! I'm guessing the staff at Petsmart that day was busy and didn't know how to deal with a rough collie.