The Polka Dot Pup

07/18/2024

🎄🦃🍗🧆🎁

This is the time of year that if you haven’t already booked through the year or scheduled your holiday apppointments, you should! I will be closing for Christmas break with the kids starting 12/21 and as of the writing of this post only have two available appointments that week.

Yeah, I know, I’m making you panic about Christmas in JULY. If Smashmouth was right about one thing, it’s that the years start coming and they don’t stop coming, so really… I’m just helping you plan!

For those of you asking about 2025 yearly schedules: I will open that booking up likely at the end of August/early September. I’ll make another post around that time with more details!

I love you guys! I mean it. I can’t believe I’m wrapping up another year of doing what I love every day! 🥹😍

06/27/2024

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

Do you have a pool loving pup like Maizy?

If so, it’s incredibly important to remember that long hair and moisture, especially chlorinated water, are a recipe for mats and tangles! Want to keep the long locks? Make sure to dry and comb your dog out thoroughly after each swimming sesh! Bonus points for a good rinse and some leave in conditioner 😘 If Fido fights the brush but still wants to enjoy the water, considering a shorter haircut or trim for the summer is always a good solution!

Stay cool 😎

02/21/2024

I’ve got a last minute opening for tomorrow 2/22 at 10:30! Shoot me a text to nab it!

01/26/2024

01/15/2024

Looking to get on our schedule? We have a few rare weekday slots open and are ready to fill them!

If you would like to apply for an appointment please TEXT 331-215-3062 with the following information:

-yours and your pups name
-your pups breed and weight
-your daytime weekday availability

We look forward to meeting some new paws!

01/05/2024

Woooooooosaaaaahhhhhhhh! We made it!

Happy New Years fam! The end of 2023 wrapped up the 3rd year of The Polka Dot Pup and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of you! Some days it doesn’t even feel real that this all worked out the way it did. If you’ve been with me from the beginning… you know what I mean! 😂 I’ve always been an “eyes closed, head first” type of girl and this was no different!

2024 promises to be just as great, if not better, and I’m excited to start another year with my old favs and a bunch of new faces! That being said, here’s a quick recap on some shop policies and some info you’ll need for 2024!

Late/No Shows - I offer a 15 min grace period for your appt time. Going to be later than that? Shoot me a text, the more notice you can give me the better. I might be able to do a couple things in a different order and accommodate you still! Help me, help you! Can’t make it? Let me know as soon as you can and I’ll for sure get you rescheduled. Don’t show or cancelling at the last minute? There’s a 50% charge for your appt that can be paid via cash, check, or zelle before your next appt. This fee does not apply to your next appt!

Phone Calls- I am a text only operation! I can’t hear you, you can’t hear me, and I don’t talk on the phone while I’m working on a dog for safety. The fastest way to reach me is to text! I do not return missed calls or voicemails and my voicemail greeting states the same.

Shop Closings/Vacations- I do not, and will never, post or inform clients ahead of time that I will be on vacation or away from home. I just schedule that time in to my book, so you can trust that if you have an appt scheduled, I will be open that day. Please remember that while I am a legit business entity I do work from home, and I don’t know a single person who would want to let 100s (or more!) people know that their home is empty!

Haircuts - I’m always going to ask what you want done that day. If you don’t know a specific length that’s more than fine, you can tell me “half off” or something along those lines, you can even say “same as last time”. The more info you give me, the closer I can get to the vision you have for your pups look (as long as he or she isn’t matted 🫣). If you ask me to take a certain amount of length off, I will do just that. Please make sure that you know what that length will look like though! If you ask me to take 2” off the end of the tail, you will get 2” taken off. I have a to-scale ruler tattooed on the inside of my wrist so I can measure accurately, do you? 😂

Booking - If you’ve been with me for a few years, you know this all too well… it’s best to book ahead! Most of my Day 1’s book for the year. After the move I had a couple months where it was easier to get on the schedule and just book your next one at the end of each appt, but right now I’m recommending 2 appts ahead…especially if you have a specific day or time of day that you need!

And lastly…

Pricing - Yeah, I know. I held out as long as I could! Not everyone will see an increase this year as I did start raising some prices last year while I worked up a new pricing model, and new clients are seeing the updated pricing already! If you haven’t seen an increase in awhile, this will probably apply to you. If you have any questions or concerns, or you’d like an estimated total before your next appointment, just shoot me a text and I’d be happy to give you that info! Please keep in mind that all prices are “in good condition”, and are subject to change based on your dog’s coat, weight, and service at the time of grooming.

That’s it 😅 I’m looking forward to another great year with my extended family, love you guys!

01/02/2024

If you’re looking for a new walking service for 2024, check her out!

12/20/2023

Hi friends!

Please remember to pick up after your pets when you are arriving or leaving (or are literally anywhere and your dog p**ps).

Circled in red are the dog p**p bags provided for your use.

Circled in green is not only a motion sensor light for picking up your pet after dark, but also a camera that starts recording when it senses motion and stops once you enter the salon or disappear from view. It then saves those clips to our cloud indefinitely so we can review them any time we need to. I understand if one slips out but knowingly leaving it there is gross!

Please use the provided p**p bags and dispose in the trash can outside. If the can is moved, I can take the bag from you and dispose of it so you don’t have to bring it into your car! Thank you!

12/01/2023

Roses are red, violets are blue, Hillary turns 29 for the third time today and we all know that’s true!

11/25/2023

Straight from our friends at Rusty Ridge Animal Center!

If your dog is sick, please keep them home! For now we will be cautious and I will continue to disinfect like my life depends on it 💕🐾

We have been receiving a large number of calls with concerned pet parents about the recent news about a new canine infectious respiratory disease. While we have been aware of the outbreaks on the West coast for the past few months, there have been ZERO confirmed cases in Illinois.

Please do not panic. Be smart with your pet and stay updated with the most up to date, reliable, credible, information.

- Your Team at Rusty Ridge Animal Center

11/13/2023

I’ve got a last minute opening tomorrow at 3:30PM for a small to medium haircut or short haired bath dog 🐩

If you’d like to snag this spot or move up your appointment, text the work phone at 331-215-3062!

10/19/2023

If your dog’s breed ends in -oodle or -poo.. this one’s for you!

One of the most asked questions I get is “What brush should I get?” For years I have recommended the CC brush but for many that’s a little out of the price range for an at home brush. I recently found this CC brush “dupe” and at $13, you can’t beat it! I wanted to give it a try in the salon before I recommended it to anyone and I’ve been very happy with its performance!

I don’t get anything from sharing this product, just thought it would be helpful! Now go brush your dog! 🐾🐾

10/17/2023

Hey fam! We have FINALLY settled all the way in from the move! Thank you so much for your patience as we worked through the madness of moving 💕 it means the world to us have your support!

That being said, as of today I am officially accepting a limited number of new clients 👀🎉 if you or someone you know is looking for a new groomer with less of a corporate vibe and more of a going-to-your-cool-auntie’s-house, I’m your girl! Please note I do not have immediate availability, but I do have some in the next few weeks!

Text only, 331-215-3062! 🐾💕

09/25/2023

“Mom, if you had made my appointments in advance, we wouldn’t be in this situation!”

Now booking for 2024! Yearly schedules are available as well as 6 month and quarterly. Text 331-215-3062 to get on the books! As usual, they are already filling up!

08/20/2023

Hey fam! As a heads up we did complete our move the other day! We are in full blown construction mode right now. That being said, the work phone (331-215-3062) is packed up right now with the schedule to keep everything in one place. So if you have texted the work phone, we have NOT received that text. In the next few days I will be able to access that and start getting back to everyone! Hang in there with us, we are doing our best 💕 can’t wait to see everyone again soon!

08/09/2023

EVERYONE please read the text message you were sent with the new address and effective start date. After today I can no longer honor late appointments who went to the new address.

The text message states the new address is effective 8/24. Please do not show up to the new house until that date. Thank you.

08/07/2023

Hey friends!!!

I am overwhelmed with gratitude at the number of people who have texted back about scheduling! Just to keep everyone in the loop I am hoping to have all of those booked by September. I am a one woman circus now so I’m trying to give myself enough time to move and attend to the scheduling. Once I get the schedules together I’ll start sending them out for approval just like last year.

You all are the best, thanks a million!

07/22/2023

Hi friends!

It’s time to get personal.

In the next few days, you’re going to see our house on the market! Don’t panic! Yes, we are moving. When? We are not sure yet. We have picked out a home and our offer has been accepted, so it’s time to list! Until we get further into the process, that’s really all we are going to share. So many things can change, but we couldn’t just not say something when it would be be obvious that we had listed the house!

To answer a few questions that I know will come up… this move would put us about 15 mins West of our current location, in Morris! We are currently anticipating a down time of about one to two weeks for the move in process. One of the advantages this home provides is the ability to quickly build in a salon. If you happen to be one of the appointments this will affect, you will be given ample notification and a prompt reschedule for either before or after the move. All appointments for the rest of the year are anticipated to run as scheduled! I do understand that for some, that may put us outside the radius you’d like to travel for grooming. If that is the case, please let me know once I contact everyone with our new address! Also, we will not be providing the address this early in the process. When you need to know, you will, promise!

I know they say to keep your business and personal lives separate but honestly, that’s really hard! For the last 2.5 years you and your dogs have come to my home, and for a lot of your dogs this has felt like a second home! How could that not be personal? For far longer than that, I have cared for your best friends from the moment you brought them home to the moment they are no longer with us. We talk at drop off and pick up and I get to hear about your kids baseball games and prom dates. I get to see pictures of your new babies and grand babies. I get to watch how the relationship with your dog evolves those 9 months and in at least 3 instances, watched your dog tell anyone who can understand them that you were about to have your baby! I have cried with you over the loss of your dogs and your parents and your friends. I have laughed with you at the haircuts you did at home and the pictures and stories of your dog doing hilarious things! Some of you are former teachers, friends from childhood, friends of the family… people I have known one year to people I have known 30 years! Some of you met me as a groomer and know me now as much more than that. How on Earth could that not be personal? Without your support along the way, I could have never opened The Polka Dot Pup. Because of all of you I am home with my babies and I get to see them as soon as they get off the bus and stay home with them when they’re off from school. Because of all of you I am living the life I’ve always wanted and doing the things that I love to do more than anything in the world, grooming dogs and spending time with my family. So truly, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You’ve watched my family grow from 2-5, but it really grew from 2-100+. We needed our space to grow with us, ALL of us, and we really hope you come with 💕🐾

07/20/2023

To clear up any confusion:

The 331-215-3062 number that you can text about your appointment is a shop specific cell phone. It is not Hillary or Mike’s specifically and usually stays in the shop!

To contact Mike directly for 2 Flops And A Hose he uses his personal cell phone number, 815-245-3078.

If you have a 779 number, that is my (Hillary’s) personal number.

So, if you get a text from 331 for pickup and it reads like “Heyyyyy girl! Spot was S U C H a good boy today 💕🥰 he will ready to scooooot in about 15 mins! Thanks hon! 💕🐾” …. it’s not Mike 😂😂😂

06/26/2023

Do you have extra grocery sacks laying around that you don’t know what to do with? We will happily take them off your hands! 😬👀

06/02/2023

Hit up Mike for any of your outdoor space needs! Decks, Fences, concrete and pavers are all things he cleans and seals!

Spruce up your space this summer!

05/11/2023

Hi! Me again begging you all to leash or carry your dogs when you get here. I’ve had a ton of people who think it only applies to inside the salon and I just want to be clear that from the moment your dog exits your car they need to be leashed.

We have neighbors who have dogs who should be able to be outside without your dog running into their yard or onto their property.

People should be able to walk their dog past the house at any time of day without your dog running up to greet them.

Also, sometimes shortly after someone drops off or picks up from a groom, I have a nail trim appointment coming right after. Sometimes those people show up early to potty their dogs. These clients should be able to do that without your dog being loose.

If you feel this is too big of a request, there are mobile groomers who come straight to you so your dog can be loose in your yard and neighborhood, not ours. Have a great day!

05/01/2023

This handsome guy has a birthday today!!! 👀💕

Please join me in wishing my Mike the happiest of birthdays!

04/13/2023

How sweet are these pics from our friends at ELBE Photography by Lauren Broderick 🥹💕

04/08/2023

Heyyyy!!!

For those who have asked, my dad is now open to taking on custom wood working projects! I can’t remember who all it was so I’m hoping that posting here will reach you 😂

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about , my dad custom built our storage cabinet, trim, shear holders, white board, and the sign in our lobby. Everyone asks where we get those! Now you can too!

Contact us via text and we can forward his cell number!

04/06/2023

03/26/2023

‼️ IMPORTANT ‼️

Effective immediately, any and all appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment time AND no call no shows will incur 50% of the missed appointment’s total as a cancellation fee. This fee must be paid in order to attend any future appointments. At our discretion, we may choose to cancel any future appointments.

03/07/2023

Spring is is right around the corner! So is spring cleaning! Let Mike help with your exteriors!

02/23/2023

Howdy!

Please remember to leash or carry your pup into the salon! We have had an increase in unleashed pups, and while we are just as impressed that they follow you everywhere, it can increase the chances of an accident either in the salon or outside.

Please be mindful that other pets may be in the salon who are NOT dog friendly or who may be fearful of other dogs running up into their space! Either on the table, in a kennel, or in the lobby, they deserve to feel safe and have a good experience in the salon as well!

Also, you aren’t in Kansas anymore. Unfamiliar territory and a startling noise (like the sirens from Lyondell) could be all it takes for Toto to take off! Contrary to popular belief, I do not have a swarm of flying monkeys to do my bidding and help us with an aerial search 👀

We love your dogs and want everyone to have a safe experience. And to be honest, I don’t have the knees to be chasing anything anymore 😂

xoxoxo

01/18/2023

Mike does more than wash things!