CityView Magazine

Clients often request the popular blueberry clove facial to give their dogs whiter and brighter coats and the aromatherapy treatments leave Fido and Fifi relaxed and smelling nice. frequent clients." To stay on top of their game, Pet Starz groomers plan to attend a Reiki massage certification training in Raleigh in a few weeks. Just like human beings, Hoopes said animals can reap the benefits of massage when their pressure points are manually manipulated, especially as dogs get older and de- velop joint problems. Dunn, of Great Paws, said she has also seen the positive benefits of dog massage firsthand. "One day we had a dog in here who was really anxious about his grooming. We started to massage him first and he calmed down and even enjoyed the grooming. Pet massage sounds like a luxury, but it really can be a necessity," Dunn said. And dogs' hair needs spe- cial care just like humans' hair does, Hoopes said. Pet Starz offers hair dying to get dogs festive for the holidays, special occa- sions and sporting events. Hoopes said she has color- ed tails, ears and pom- pom hair tuſts to match the owners' favorite team colors. She also does sten- ciling on shorter coats and shaves dogs in order apply the artwork — which is similar to a temporary tattoo. military individuals, some of whom are just plain busy and are not home enough to care for their pet throughout the day. Some just want their pet to be socialized and to not be alone during the workweek — aſter all, everybody needs friends. She plans to add a coffeehouse on the premises with a large deck so owners can come with their dogs, hang out, have cof- fee and meet other dog owners. "Aſter living in California for 22 years I really miss that and see that there is no place in Fayetteville that caters to dog owners in terms of a place to meet and relax and grab a coffee with your dog," she said. Some dogs' health and weight issues have improved since starting doggie day- care, Hoopes said. Instead of sleeping all day being kenneled up at home, the dogs get the chance to exercise. Hoopes plans Some owners, she said, like for their dog's skin art to match their own. Dunn said she's noticed that these "pet- toos" are growing in popularity among her cli- ents, as well. She said these consist of a semi-permanent hair dye applied to the fur to make a design. In fact, Dunn said she's even had owners of dark brown and black furred dogs ask to have their dogs' hair bleached so that the pups can be decorated with pettoos, too, though Dunn said that's some- thing she won't do. Hoopes moved here from Los Angeles, where pet pamper- ing is very popular. She fell in love with the doggie daycare concept when she had to take her puppy to one while working long hours in the film industry. She saw a need for similar services here in our market and opened Pet Starz. She said her doggie daycare clientele consists of a mix of professional and 56 | January/February • 2012 to buy a special treadmill that runs in a shallow tank of water, as well as a stand- ard treadmill to help the dogs exercise and, just as in daycare for a children, a two hour nap time is allotted each day to allow the dogs to recu- perate. "We have clients all the time that say their dogs are better dogs for coming here," said Deborah. "We always hear that the dogs cannot wait to get here." She said she averages seeing most of her ca- nine friends for doggie daycare two to three times a week. Others come in just for grooming, oſten coinciding with when their owner has a hair appointment. Boarding dogs come from all over and they participate in the doggie daycare routine throughout their stay. There is always one attendant on staff and someone stays around the clock with the dogs. A local dog named Kirby even ran away from home and made his way back over to his doggie playground at Pet Starz on a Sunday aſternoon, just to hang out with his buddies. "The dogs love their play dates and coming here to see their friends," said Deborah. "Some dogs pout when they are not here." CV

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