Gloria Williamson is a self-described perfectionist, one of those people who are not satisfied unless what she is doing is exactly right.
Owner of the Dirty Dog Grooming Salon on Main Street in Bowling Green, Williamson runs her business with that principle in mind, plus the addition of one more – passion.
Williamson was the child who brought home every stray, even if injured, or any animal that looked as if it needed any of the tender care she could provide.
As a young girl, she became aware that dogs were euthanized at animal shelters if not adopted, so she made up her mind to do something to make the animals more presentable, thus more adoptable.
Studying under Linda Law, a certified master groomer with the National Dog Groomers Association of America and International Professional Groomers, Williamson said she worked really hard for almost two years before she was certified as a dog groomer.
She had to learn every clip for every breed that registered in the American Kennel Club. She noted that the French Poodle has at least eight different clips. In addition to clipping, the type of hair or skin each breed has affects how they are bathed. Instilled into each student was the idea that every clip given a dog has the groomer’s name on it. Because of Law’s high standards for her students, Williamson noted the test they had to take to pass the class was much harder than what is required for state certification.
“We had to learn not just the clips, but how to groom the dogs so the dog’s build was properly portrayed,” noted Williamson. “We had to know these breeds inside and out. Linda told us if someone brought in an ape, we would have to figure out how to cut it and make it look good.”
Since receiving her certification, she has worked at a variety of different shops, gleaning good work techniques and becoming aware of some bad ones.
Add to her love for animals and stringent training the element of 30 years of experience, and you get a picture of the proprietor of the Dirty Dog Dog Grooming Salon.
Talk with Williamson for any length of time and her grand sense of humor comes out. She states it is part of doing business with dogs in addition to the patience that is often required. As a child she recognized her artistic side, drawing and making crafts.
Utilizing her artistic creativity, she must picture the breed the dog is and how to clip it so it will look best when she is done. Williamson stated this varies with each breed. Her bottom line is for the dog to look like he is ready for show when she is done. Her pride will not allow her to let a dog leave without being groomed to the best of her abilities.
Her care for each animal is foremost. At the salon, Williamson wants every dog brought in to feel comfortable in an at-home environment where dogs are not crated. While grooming or bathing a dog, none are ever left unattended.
“I let the dogs run loose, but I am not running a doggie day care,” commented Williamson. “Because they can roam, it is important that owners pick up their dogs when told the dogs are finished with the grooming.”
In addition to adding a growing business to the area, Williamson provides a service for both animal and owner alike that allows them to strut their stuff as they stroll the streets of Bowling Green.
The dogs coming in are the only things that are dirty in the salon. Upon leaving, the animals are clean in addition to being clipped, and they know they look good. With ribbons on their ears and kerchiefs around their necks, they strut their stuff, daring anyone not to look at them.
Loading ...