| Rub-a-dub-dub put your dog in a tub |
| Friday, May 29, 1998 By Suzanne Hively Plain Dealer Columnist |
| With movies playing on a screen in the
reception area, a decor of black-and-white checks, perky red accents and glass blocks
separating each station, it looks like an elegant beauty salon.
It is, but for dogs only, and its main feature is do-it-yourself washstations. And the movies? They're all about dogs-Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin and other celebrity canines. Two of the stainless-steel tubs accommodate dogs as large as Great Pyrenees and Great Danes. Three smaller stations take care of everything else, down to Maltese and Chihuahua size. Each station has a wide ramp for the dog to walk up to the tub, which is raised so the person doing the bathing doesn't have to bend or stoop. Each station is supplied with all-natural shampoo, smocks to protect clothing, fresh towels and forced-air dryers. Music is piped into the bathing area. "We're planning special events like washing-to-the-oldies night," said salon co-owner Jeff Grano. "Now, that should be a kick." Gone to the Dogs, at 22223 Lorain Rd. in Fairview Park, is the brainchild of Grano, of Lakewood, and his sister, Jan Gilson of Strongsville. Previously, Gilson worked for 30 years as an information services specialist. Grano is in charge of World Wide Web programs for a local company. Gilson shows standard poodles and Grano is a bulldog and Boston terrier fancier. "We both wanted to move into an area that we love -- working around animals," Grano said. Gone to the Dogs caters to dog owners who like a whole-dog-care approach to caring for their dogs. Services available to pamper pooches include puppy kindergarten, as well as consultation for nutrition and reiki. Reiki (RAY-kee) is a gentle touching of the body that devotees say may increase energy, relieve trauma and stress, ease pain and enhance the body's response to medicine. Sarah Rosich, a nutritionist through self-study and seminars, adapted her knowledge of nutrition and herbs to canines. "The salon is designed to create an environment that encourages humane treatment of dogs, mutual respect between owner and dog and socialization among dogloving people," Grano said. "We will refuse a client if we think the dog cannot be handled in a gentle, respectful manner." The salon motto is "Gone to the Dogs - No cats, no rats, no ferrets, no parrots, just dogs." Full-service dog bathing and grooming is available at the salon for the people who don't want or have the time to bathe their dogs. Or maybe they don't mind bathing the dog, but are squeamish about clipping the dog's nails. Free munchies, tea and coffee (for the humans) are offered while waiting to use the bathing stations, as are, of course, biscuits for the dogs. Separate areas are set aside for drying and grooming. A boutique offers unusual canine items, such as fancy bandannas, all-natural dog food, cookies and supplements, non chemical grooming supplies, training leashes, videos, books and toys. 1998 Plain Dealer Publishing. All rights reserved. |