11/02/2025
Trigger Warning: Animal neglect and threats of violence.
So hardly do I post on here. Personally, I'd rather not have any social media. My goal as a buisness owner, as was bestowed upon me by my best friend and mentor (if you know, you know) was to always let my actions speak for themselves. Everyone that knows me, knows that I pretend EVERY dog is my own dog, Payton, pictured in my profile picture. So when I know something wrong is happening to an animal, I immediately imagine Payton and respond how I would want someone to advocate for him.
On July 30th of this year, a dog who belong to the individual in this text chain came into Hound Haven for their Trim and Treat night.
Many of you know that I rent my space inside Hound Haven, and operate entirely independently. I have my own phone, own clients, own set up, and function in a much different manner.
When this dogs came in that day, he was PELTED. It looked as if someone was cutting the hair down his back with scissors, and everything below that was a cast. Even though the dog was only there for nail trimming, Brooke attempted to at least shave off what she could to help the dog feel better, and convinced the gentleman that brought him to make a grooming appointment to have the dog adequately groomed.
Well, he no called no showed the day of the appointment. Brooke is diligent about sending out reminders too so there really were no excuses.
What I didn't realize at the time was that this was a dog i groomed previously a handful of times that I can probably count on one hand over an 8 years period.
Everything this dog came in, he was a mess. Dirty, matted, couldn't see because his face was so overgrown. The gentleman would call every 1 to 2 years, beg me to groom the dog, then no call no show several times in a row.
Finally weeks or even month later, a very nice, older woman would call and apologize on his behalf, and she would promise to make sure he showed up with the dog. We would groom the dog, he'd be greatful and act like I was his best friend, and then he'd disappear for another two years give or take, and the cycle would continue. Maybe one time the dog came in not matted because he got my spiel and I threatened to not allow him back if the dog kept coming in that shape.
Fast forward to present day, Brooke referred him to me because after him no call no showing, and the dog being in severe shape, and her knowing I have more time to give to severly matted dogs, especially seniors, he contacted me.
As any person with basic cognition and emotional intelligence would know, 23 is ADVANCED age for a dog. That is something that is few and far between. The oldest dog I have every personally groomed or seen in person outside of this one was barely 21 years old.
I'm not going to go into the complications that can arise from any dog, much less a dog of 23 years old, being severly matted.
My issue with this entire situation is that this behavior from a client is UNACCEPTABLE.
Everyone gets one time for their dog to come to me in poor shape before they get my ugly side, so the fact that he got away with the for 8 years, then continued NOT to get his dogs groomed for 2.5 years after I took a hiatus from grooming is appalling to me.
You can see our conversations and the points I made to him in my text messages below.
But the issue is NOT him threating to assault me or trying to avoid any accountability for the shape he left his dog in.
My ISSUE is that he is so unaccountable, he is attacking Brooke and Hound Haven for something that was not even her doing outside of her trying to do the right thing, protecting the integrity of her buisness, and being my landlord.
This man could get 100 people to leave bad reviews on MY PAGE and I would not care in the slightest because I do not give any energy to social media and my clients who see me consistently know my heart.
I have literally had people offer to make me a website, nominate me for Best of Toledo, leave me reviews or hand my card out at events. I've said NO to all of it, and have simply asked them to just give my name to anyone who needs a dog groomer that will treat their dog like their own. I do this because I love it, not because I need any social validation.
This is like if you get mad at a hair salon owner, then attacking the landlord who also happens to do hair.
I stand by everything I said to this man. It is about the PRINCIPLE at the end of the day. I went back and fourth with myself because I really wanted to be able to help the dog, but 1) you can't help the dog if the owner wont even show up, and 2) I spent 8 YEARS helping this dog and the owner has learned NOTHING.
To add to all of this, Hound Haven is not just a grooming salon, but a volunteer run food pantry. So not only is this NOT Brooke's doing, but she is the one who is literally trying to feed the community and getting attacked.
If everyone could share and send some positivity to Brooke at Hound Haven, she could use it given a hateful, ignorant person is attacking her for something I said and did.
And once again, shame on you for how you treat your dog and how you treat other people.
Also, since he threatened me, the police will be getting involved.
