How many people does it take to give a 228-pound, none-too-willing St. Bernard a bath?
At least three, if Ginger’s ablutions are any indication.
The dog was getting her bimonthly scrub earlier this month at a bathe-your-own pet wash located in an Orrville pet store.
“If Darrin is here, [she comes] every couple months,” said pet parent Mistie Ankenman, breathing deeply after maneuvering Ginger up the steps and into the tub with the help of the store’s owners.
Darrin and Stephanie Wasniewski opened Lola, Cheech & Mooey’s Natural Pet Market and Self Pet Wash in downtown Orrville in 2012. The store takes its name for the dogs the couple owned at the time; Lola a standard poodle, Cheech, an American bulldog/American Staffordshire terrier mix rescued from the Humane Society of Greater Akron and Mooey, a shorkie (a Shih Tzu/Yorkshire terrier mix) rescued from a puppy mill. Since then, the couple, who have three school-aged children, have adopted two more canines.
The bedraggled and unwilling Ginger soon began to relish her shampoo massage. She was in dire need of a bath after spending many weeks with a new family member who loves to terrorize her — a cat rescued on New Year’s Eve nicknamed the Satan Death cat, also known as Snickers.
“She has a lot of trauma with that cat,” explained Ankenman.
Many of the customers who frequent the pet store where they may also purchase human grade food free of wheat, corn, soy and genetically modified organisms, are the couple’s friends, said Stephanie. So while the pet wash is supposed to be self serve, it isn’t unusual for the two owners to find themselves boosting a large backside such as Ginger’s into the tub.
“She just needs some love and some dander control,” cooed Stephanie as she lathered the dog with an all natural shampoo and conditioner from Earthbath.
Darrin said the couple sells only products they find suitable for their own animals, including a litter box-trained “house” rabbit. Earthbath, which contains no parabens, (preservatives by pharmaceutical industries) harsh soaps, artificial dyes or fragrances, phosphates, or toxins to harm the animal or the environment, promotes local rescue operations by offering free bath products in the pet bath one Saturday each month. Proceeds are given to different rescue groups.
The Wasniewskis began researching pet food when they adopted Cheech. Treading their way through masses of information, they were determined to find a food the dog could eat without causing his skin allergies to worsen.
They quickly realized they needed to move away from mass produced kibble and began searching for a better quality food.
What they learned from Internet research and holistic veterinarians was eye opening.
“Your body is better poised to fight off infections with better food. It’s the same for your pets,” said Darrin.
“Dogs and cats are scavengers. They will survive on what they find in the wild. But do you want your pet to survive or thrive?” Stephanie asked, picking up the conversation.
Ankenman said Ginger also suffered a recurrence of skin allergies when she fed her mass-produced grocery store kibble from a large-scale producer.
“It took only a month for it to come back,” she said.
It sometimes takes a dramatic event for people to realize the importance of the food they feed their pet, said Darrin.
“For some people there is a lot of sticker shock going to a higher quality food,” he said. While keeping prices competitive, the couple is staking their reputation and future on the belief people want the high quality products they sell.
The store offers a little something for every owner, including supplements, interactive toys and (in my opinion) the perfect probiotic — frozen goat milk produced on an Orrville farm. The store also features a Barkary and Doggie Deli.
Visit Lola, Cheech & Mooey’s at 133 N. Vine St., Orrville, or call 330-682-6820. The store’s website is www.yournaturalpetmarket.com.
Other animals in news
Anesthesia-free pet dental clinic — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30, Lola, Cheech & Mooney’s Natural Pet Market, 133 N. Vine St., Orrville. For animals of all breeds and ages whose owners are concerned about the risks of anesthesia, dental prophylaxis for young pets, seniors and high-risk breeds such as sight hounds and brachycephalics and those with medical conditions such as heart murmurs, collapsed tracheas, renal and liver disease, Crohn’s disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes, etc. Visit www.yournaturalpetmarket.com/dental-clinic-registration to register or call 330-682-6820.
Low-cost feline spay and neuter clinic —Appointments are available for low-cost spay and neuter through CHAP Inc.’s mobile clinic for cats from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 5 at the NEFCO building, 180 E. South St., Akron. Kittens and cats need to be at least 12 weeks old, in good health and weigh at least 3 pounds. Male cat neuter is $45 and female cat spay is $60. The clinic will also spay pregnant cats that are not too close to term for $70. Low-cost vaccines; flea, tapeworm and ear mite treatments; nail trimming and ear tipping for feral cats will also be available. Registration is required. Call 330-724-6181.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.