The Grooming Room Mishawaka

01/30/2024

01/11/2024

If we can’t do something, it’s because we care for your dog’s safety and mental well-being. 💕

The pet professionals in your life should always be advocating for your animals. ❤️

01/09/2024

This photo was taken during a 95-day, solo, unsupported Arctic expedition with my team of 23 Alaskan malamutes relaying supplies over a steep mountain pass.

The expedition was conducted with an average snow depth of three deep and temperatures dropping to -65F ambient for several weeks and -80F to -90F windchill. Throughout the entire expedition, I never saw any humans or signs of human activity. It's truly an untouched Arctic jewel.

12/26/2023

Wishing my beloved clients and their families a most wonderful Christmas! 🎄 Sending a huge THANK YOU to everyone who brought us cookies and treats and gifts and other Christmas blessings. My family and I feel so appreciated. 🥰

❄️ December is chaotic at the salon - getting everyone cleaned, fluffed and manicured for the holidays and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 💕 I truly am so blessed to have so many kind, generous, thoughtful clients.

So from my family to yours - thank you and a very Merry Christmas! 🎅

Here are just a few recent snapshots of life at The Grooming Room for you to enjoy. ☺️

12/11/2023

Is this a familiar scene? Unless you have a doodle or golden retriever, it probably is. 😂 But why is your pupper so nervous or shy at drop off - even to a groomer he’s been with for years? It’s actually a simple explanation;

He knows mama/dad/caregiver is going to leave him and despite the familiarity of the salon & groomer, he doesn’t want to be separated from his person. Just like toddlers at daycare.

And honestly, 99% of your doggos watch you go then turn around and act as if nothing happened. Tails wagging, giving kisses, hopping onto the table or tub - everything is fine.

But how can you tell if your dog is afraid of the groomer for a legitimate reason ie abuse or rough handling? This answer is also easy;

How is your dog behave at pickup? A traumatized dog probably won’t be prancing & dancing, wagging his tail with excitement. He will be cowering, shivering, piddling, not showing any joy upon seeing his person. He will even act differently at home, hiding or cowering, etc.

Is this always a sign of abuse? No. Some dogs carry previous trauma, some who came in super matted & got shaved will shiver and act weird for a day or two.

The best thing you can do is trust your gut and look for red flags i.e. you’re not allowed to see inside the grooming area, a clearly miserable groomer who manhandles your dog at check-in, or your dog showing signs of abuse he didn’t have before like becoming hand-shy or breathing issues.

The best thing to do for a nervous nellie is to not be anxious yourself, be confident and speak in a positive tone at drop-off and make it quick! Coddling and lingering just confirms and exaggerates your doggo’s anxiety and he feeds off your energy.

I promise it’s normal and that we really, truly do love your buddy!

11/27/2023

We are all concerned with this new illness spreading among dogs and I’ve been researching, talking to other groomers and dog pro’s all over the country and this vet sums it up very well.

While most cases are being caught in places where dogs are together in higher volumes ie daycare & boarding facilities, crowded salons, etc, I will be taking extra care to disinfect tools & table, mop and sanitize between every client. Luckily since I am one-on-one, it is much easier to minimize spread here but if your pupper has recently come from boarding or daycare, please tell me prior to your appt.

They are not sure if this is viral or bacterial, but the good news is the vast majority of cases will be mild but a small number can develop into pneumonia which is what is leading to a small number of deaths.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out or talk to your favorite vet.

09/27/2023

Great idea! 💕

Our dogs are in their kennels for about 22 hours every day. As awesome as our staff and volunteers are, we just do not have enough hours in the day and/or resources to get every dog out as much as we would like. We have many dogs whose stress levels are off the chart and are continuing to rise because we cannot get them out enough.

YOU can help our dogs spend time out of their kennels! Did you know that you can be the one to make a difference in a shelter dog's day?! It could be for one hour; it could be for 4 hours...our dogs aren't picky and neither are we. We are just grateful for our followers like you who want to be the reason a shelter dog has time out of their kennel and in the community.

You can take them to the beach, on a trail hike, to a dog-friendly business, or on a car ride to get a pup cup. If you don't have any pets at your home, you could even give them an afternoon of peace and quiet in a house! All you need to do is call us at 219-872-4499 to schedule your pick-up time. If you find yourself with some free time and are in the area, stop by to see if we have a dog available to go out with you. It is that simple. You can easily make a difference. We just ask for your time and love for a shelter dog🧡

06/08/2023

🐶 Hello wonderful clients! 👋🏼

I want to ask for your patience as I work to return your messages. I’ve gotten behind this past month as it has been wildly busy at the salon and even busier at home! Two kids birthdays, a graduation, family in town, and more. 💕

I am working as hard as I can to get back to you and apologize for the waiting you’ve been doing. I appreciate your patience and kindness deeply

Thank you!
Joanna 🐾

05/13/2023

Did you catch the Westminster Dog Show this week? There were some very exciting winders! 🐾

The Sporting News tracked live updates and results from the Westminster Dog Show, including Best in Show and winners by group and breed.

03/18/2023

This is where I got CPR certified. Great class! 🐾

01/11/2023

In need of a cat groomer? I cannot recommend Jenna enough! Plus it’s a kitty-only salon! 🐾

01/07/2023

This career is hard. Physically, emotionally, mentally hard. Most people wouldn’t last a week in a grooming salon. I’ve “lasted” 18 years now and dog groomers are often undervalued as our job is typically seen as fun and easy and while it is fun, it is equally difficult. It takes a lot of skill, patience, continuing education, and true love. When you’ve been doing something this long, had to say goodbye to so many dogs we cherish, been bitten and pooped on, been criticized and belittled, there are days when groomers wonder why we do it?

Well yesterday a dear client brought her pups in for their groom and as we were chatting, she told me;

“You know you saved her life, right?”

It took me aback. She explained how her dog was sick and the vet couldn’t figure it out and had brushed them off when she remembered I had found a tick on her at her last appointment. The client informed the vet, who then tested for Lyme disease which came out positive, and treated her right away. If I hadn’t found that tiny tick, her dog wouldn’t be bouncing around my salon today.

And it hit me - THIS is it. THIS is why I do this. We’re not just dog groomers. We form deep bonds with these pups, we know every inch of their floofy bodies, we understand their personalities and emotions, we know what they like and what they hate. We play an important role in each pet’s life - and they play a huge part in ours. 🐾

And sometimes, we save their lives. 💕

12/23/2022

This Christmas season has been the busiest at The Grooming Room and want to thank each & every one of you for making it so. 💕 I hope everyone is cozy & warm at home and enjoying your blizzardy holiday.⛄️ and a HUGE thank you to everyone who was so generous and kind to us this month. Every treat, card & gift is truly special to us and we are so lucky to have the most thoughtful, caring clients and the best, sweetest doggos of course! 🐶

We will be closed until Tuesday so here are some fun Grooming Room highlights from the past few weeks - including our very own Dingo doggie showing off his Christmas jammies! 🎄

Stay warm, safe & have a wonderful holiday and happy new year! 🎁

11/28/2022

As the holiday season goes into full swing, don’t forget your dog groomer! We are humans, too, and doing our best to get everyone’s dog in and groomed before Christmas! 🎄⛄️🐾

11/18/2022

11/18/2022

We’re getting better and better with color! we decided to stick with Khaleesi’s signature color - PINK! 💕

10/02/2022

Ever wonder what your dog is like at the salon? Here is a hilarious groomer reenactment. 😂 💕🐾

08/29/2022

I have worked with Jenna for years and can’t speak highly enough of her. 💕 If your kitty needs any grooming (and lots of love and patience) definitely go see Jenna! 🐾

08/19/2022

I hope I’ve been able to reach everyone I need to! To be sure I figured I’d make a post and let all you wonderful clients know that I am positive for Covid and won’t be in the salon til it’s negative.

I am so deeply sorry for any inconvenience. I will get back to you all as soon as I am up and running.

Thank you,
Joanna

08/08/2022

Here’s a peek at what we were up to last week! 🐾

I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to post all the adorable photos and videos we’ve captured so I thought a little recap would be fun. 😊

07/20/2022

We’ve gotten some requests for hair color and it’s been so fun! 🐾 Little Khaleesi is totally rocking her pink and purple ombré 💕

07/13/2022

My dearest clients -

In order to sustain my business I am implementing a price increase effective 7/19/2022. If you need to know your new price prior to your next appointment please shoot me a message.

Also, please give me at least 24 hours notice for cancelling - even if it’s a FB message at midnight. Life happens and sometimes it’s understandably not possible to do that but I would really appreciate your consideration.

Going forward, if you miss an appointment without 24 hours notification you will need to pay for 50% of the missed appointment before making the next appointment.

I appreciate you all so very much and your pups have become like family to me. I’m thankful to have such wonderful clients. Please feel free to reach me via FB messenger if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Joanna
The Grooming Room