by Terri M. Bahne

     Owner and operator Mary Ellen Twitchell of TLC Grooming on Zoar Road in Gowanda believes in putting her customers first - the human kind, as well as the pet kind.

     Although Ms. Twitchell has been in the pet grooming business off and on for the past 20 years, she has maintained her establishment in her town exclusively for the past six years.

     “[I] work around [my] customers’ needs, not work to a dollar,” she stated, adding that the “regular customers make or break you in this area,” due to much advertising being done by word of mouth.

     And if service is what you are looking for, then you have to come to the right place when you book an appointment with Twitchell. “Different people like different services,” she advised, adding that no grooming charges exceed $35. Besides the style of fur cut, ear cleaning, ear hair removal, nail clipping, bathing, pet cologne and bows are all included in the price of a grooming. Toy dogs are $20, medium dogs are $22, and large and long-haired dogs are $25. Twitchell noted prices are guidelines, depending on the condition of the animal, and do not include taxes.

     If only a bath and nail clipping is required, toy and small dogs are $15 and up, medium dogs are $18 and up, and large, extra-large and long-haired dogs are $20 and up. Cats are a flat rate of $20 per grooming which includes a fur cut, bath and nail clipping.

     “I try to keep my prices fairly low to keep up with the competition in the area,” Twitchell stated, admitting that she is no Wal-Mart or Pet Smart - nor tries to be - when offering services or goods.

     A few of the items many customers do purchase from Twitchell’s shop include collars, ear cleaning products, tear stain remover and grooming supplies. But what Ms. Twitchell lacks in volume, she makes up for in customer servicing.

     “The one thing that people like is that it only takes one to one and a half hours [to complete a] full grooming. They like the personal attention [that is given to their pet],” Twitchell said, smiling.

     Since spring is coming - really, it is! - why not give a little attention “spring-cleaning fashion” to your special four-legged friend? Twitchell has weekend and evening hours available and is very flexible to your needs.

     Book an appointment today at 592-0249 for a spa-treatment-feel-grooming that your pet will love you for.