Great results at Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming

Welcome back to another Spotlight Series with Sarah!
The series where the writer gets to know the city more personally, while the readers get to know the writer better in the process.
Early last year my mom adopted an American Staffordshire Terrier from a shelter. She named him Zachaeus and absolutely adores him. The problem is, Zachaeus likes to jump on people and his nails are like daggers. The other problem is, as a rescue, Zachaeus doesn’t like to get his nails trimmed, so he’ll scratch, try to bite, and pee out of fear.
If you remember from last month’s issue, I mentioned that my mom had surgery and ended up with a blood clot in her lung. She’s on a blood thinner now and has to be careful not to get any scrapes, scratches, or cuts.
This means Zachaeus’s nails need to be trimmed but for safety reasons, my mom is not able to do it herself. After witnessing my brother try to manhandle Zachaeus to get his nails trimmed and it not going well, I’m not willing to attempt either. This is also after a failed attempt at the vet as well.
Because of this, my mom called around to find somewhere to take Zachaeus to get his nails trimmed and she found Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming.
A big factor on why my mom picked Dogs-N-Suds was that it was opened late enough for my brother to drive her and Zachaeus after he got off work, since my mom is still not cleared to drive herself after her surgery.
Another factor was that Debbie Gurley, Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming owner, who my mom spoke with on the phone, was willing to try with a “difficult” client (Zachaeus).
So on Tuesday, November 4th, my brother drove my mom and Zachaeus to Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming for a nail trim appointment.
My mom told me that when they first arrived Gurley met with Zachaeus, petted him, said “let’s begin,” and got started.
My mom had ordered some sedatives for Zachaeus (which I picked up from the vet’s a few days prior to the appointment) to try to help calm Zachaeus down, however, my mom said the medication basically had no effect on him during his appointment.
At first Zachaeus wanted to sniff all over and my mom was worried he might try to mark his territory by peeing but Gurley said “we can clean it up if he does.”
Zachaeus was put on a grooming table and my brother held onto his leash while a second leash was attached to the table that was wrapped around his abdomen.
Dogs-N-Suds’ interior has an open layout, so you can sit in the front area and watch your dog or Gurley allows you to be with your dog in the back during their appointment (as my mom and brother were with Zachaeus).
“It gives you a comforting feeling because you don’t have to worry about what’s going on with your dog. You can see everything that’s going on with your dog,” said my mom.

Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming.

Gurley picked up one of Zachaeus’ feet, rubbed it, talked to him, and he didn’t freak out like he did before with previous nail trims attempts. “She was very patient with him. She kept talking to him and reassuring him and he didn’t feel threatened,” said my mom.
My mom said Zachaeus didn’t try to bite – he only growled a couple of times, and she suggested a muzzle but Gurley declined the offer.
Both my brother and mom were surprised with how successful the appointment went.
My mom said Dogs-N-Suds was very clean, the building was easy for her to access while recovering from surgery, the nail trim price was very cheap, and she was happy to tip extra.
“I know for a fact I’m going to take him [Zachaeus] back there again and again because it was such an easy process,” said my mom. “You could tell she’s been around dogs a long time. She’s completely calm and confident around them and that comes with experience.”
Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming has been open for 25 years and at its current location in Westland for three years.
Gurley has been a groomer for almost 50 years. She originally wanted to be a registered nurse but fell in love with pets.
“My favorite part is loving on the pets and making them pretty and smelling good,” said Gurley. “We treat dogs as if they were our own.”
Dogs-N-Suds offers grooming, nails, ears, medicated flea baths, and anal glands on request. Grooming includes nails and ears. Prices are based on dog size.
“Come see us, we love pets and do great quality work,” said Gurley.
Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming is located at 2729 S Wayne Rd, Westland, and is open 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. For more information about Dogs-N-Suds Pet Grooming, call (734)895-9540. You can find them on Facebook by searching Dogs N Suds Pet Grooming. Be sure to check out Dog-N-Suds Pet Grooming and be on the lookout for the next Spotlight Series with Sarah!