TerreGale Grooming

05/24/2022

If anyone is looking for lunch and an activity for your kids in the valley this summer

Kids Kupboard, with the help of our AMAZING volunteers, is thrilled to be providing fresh, healthy meals to thousands of kiddos again this summer!!! Please reach out if you have any questions or if you want to join us as a volunteer :)

04/22/2022

Just a few of the kids that have kept me busy lately including the shameless selfie of me and my own little spoiled princess.

04/22/2022

I have so much on my mind right now. This post is going to be a bit long and I will try to be as objective as I can be since I was not there.

Anyone in the MatSu Valley that has any type of love for animals and belongs to any number of groups has probably seen the posts going around about a local grooming shop and a dog that passed away yesterday 4/20/22.

As a groomer this affects me already on a very personal level. It affects me even further personally because of my past relationship with the local groomer whose shop this occurred at. This post will likely be quite long but I encourage you to read and make your own choices.

Back in May of 2021 I met this groomer/shop owner while I was down on my luck and facing some pretty dire circumstances. My family was homeless and I needed a place where my cats could temporarily be housed. In the current housing market temporarily turned into May through November. From May through November this groomer was kind enough to not only house my cats but also provided a warm place for my children and I to sleep at night. This was much appreciated and I showed my appreciation by constantly cleaning and caring for not only my animals but all the other animals that were on site.

Over the summer she housed 3 dogs at her shop where temperatures soared into the 90s inside. These dogs were kept for weeks inside crates in the back of the shop and were cared for twice a day by me and only me. Each day the towels were saturated in urine and the dogs were not let out of the crates at all. Each evening when caring for my cats I would clean up after these dogs and feed them and give them water because there was never any food or water available to them. I felt bad for the dogs and I felt bad for the old lady who owned the shop because it was clear she had taken on more than she could handle.

When her other groomer walked out I stepped in with all my experience and offered to help in any way I could. And I did. I ran the shop alone while she was sick with Covid. I obtained my own business licenses and paid the City of Wasilla for my 50% of all services as I had been told to do.

In November I finally was able to secure housing for my family and I still was at the shop 6 days a week from 8am until often times later than 5pm. I cleaned everyday after a woman who I would watch blatantly throw trash on the floor. I watched multiple times as she left dogs chained in the tub or her table unsupervised with chains too long. I watched her kiss and love on some dogs in front of owners and then yell at, hit, curse at, threaten to harm as soon as the dog was less cooperative than she wanted it to be.

I raised not one but 3 litters of puppies in her shop when she and another friend of hers left them there in tiny crates without food or water for days without so much as looking in the crate at them.

I began getting more involved in my church and praying and contending for many situations. I prayed for the shop daily. I continued to work there and just clean up the messes that I would see and purchase things for use that would make things easier to clean and keep sanitary. The more I would clean and organize the more stuff would find it’s way in to the shop.

I finally started praying for something specific. I started feeling used and no longer helpful. I was burdened by thinking that instead of helping I was aiding on her poor behavior. I was already getting burnt out and feeling like that particular shop was sucking the life out of me.

I began looking into renting my own location to separate myself from all that I knew was wrong. I also started praying that God give me a clear answer as to what direction I needed to turn. 3 days after I began praying this specific prayer I had my own personal customer come in for their first groom. I took this person on my own time so as not to be in the way of the shop owner and my goal to complete the groom by 11am was achieved. I accepted the clients payment via credit card. The owner of this business came in late to work that day (nearly 11:30) while I was processing the payment. When the client left this other groomer became irate that I had accepted a credit card from my customer under my own business license. In fact she was so upset that she asked I no longer groom from her shop.

This was my clear answer. There was no argument from me. I left without incident. When I returned the next day during normal business hours to obtain some of my supplies and equipment I overheard this woman telling customers that I stole from her and had been stealing from her for months but she couldn’t prove it. Well that never occurred and in fact I paid her 50% of every single dog that I groomed including the one I took the credit card for.

Within an hour of her asking me to leave I had an interview at another place that needed a groomer. I had that interview and I was hired and started working right away. God has continued to bless me with the ability to continue the profession that I love in an environment that makes me proud and I would welcome anyone to come in to at any time for any reason.

I moved on. That is until yesterday when I learned that a dog in this groomers care passed away and it’s owners were not informed until they went to pick up the dog after it’s day of grooming. I see many people say great things about this woman and many things saying very upsetting things. While I do not know what happened in this instance I can say that I saw plenty of things happen on a daily basis at this business that were not only a risk but downright negligent.

Please people when looking for someone to provide a professional service to your furry little family member be cautious of the price seems too low, be cautious when everyone else is booked for weeks and this one place has availability today or tomorrow. There are reasons for these things and usually it’s because it is a place to stay away from.

My heart goes out to the family that lost their dog and my heart goes out to all families whose dogs continue to get groomed in this place with a mentally unstable woman who should have retired many years ago. If she was a good groomer she isn’t any longer and I think it is safe to say that groomers of any age or experience level should have the professionalism to know when it is time to move on. In this instance it has become unsafe.

03/31/2022

My new official business cards came in today!!! Woohoo. While TerreGale Grooming will always be me and eventually I will have my own salon under that name for the moment this is where I am and I could not be happier. April bookings are filling up fast. If your furry friend needs a touch up please give us a call and get on the schedule 🙂

03/25/2022

Just a few of the doggies I have groomed in the last 2 weeks. Sorry I haven’t been posting. Life is keeping me pretty busy these days 🙂

TikTok - trends start here. On a device or on the web, viewers can watch and discover millions of personalized short videos. Download the app to get started.

03/03/2022

I was waiting for confirmation to share the good news, beginning next week I will be grooming exclusively at Northstar Pet Resort in Palmer.

03/02/2022

I don’t post a ton of pictures of my princess but this little girl is Freya. Freya is my little princess that is about 5.5 months old. She needed a groom so I took some time today to work on my girl. At such a young age I tend to try and do fairly quick sessions pretty often. I trim her paw pads, do a light sanitary trim and a 1/2 inch length on her body. I hand scissor her face and have played around with a clean shaved face but I am really liking this cute little round head on her.

03/02/2022

Due to some unforeseen changes we are in the process of changing locations where our grooming services are performed. As soon as I am set up in a new location I will let everyone know so that we can get back to booking again right away. Thank you!

02/26/2022

I meant to post these little loves yesterday. Willie and Remy came in to see me for a little spruce up. They were both perfectly behaved and I was able to practice my very first solo schnauzer in pattern. Looking at my after photos there are a couple things I could have done to perfect his cut but I am pleased as punch. Thank you to their owners for allowing me to work on their fur kids ❤️❤️

02/24/2022

These 2 lovely boys came in for a “spa” treatment with me today. The lovely young Goldendoodle pictured before and after is named Ragnar. He was quite the excitable guy but we got through it and he looks pretty good. Dad requested to not touch the hair on his head and just clean out his eyes so he could see.

Our second distinguished gentleman is named Night and that certainly suits him with his lovely, shiny black coat. I forgot his before photo but he was quite the fluffy boy and I had hair flying all around today from his deshedding.

02/23/2022

I was so excited to groom this handsome guy today that I forgot to take before photos of him. Say hello to Jake. His actual name is Jake from State Farm and he is a very nice Great Pyrenees boy who came to see me today for a good bath and blow dry. Jake was such a sweet boy and I was over the moon about grooming him. I actually really LOVE grooming large, double coated breeds.

02/16/2022

Patches throughout his grooming process….I failed at taking a before the bath photo but he was such a good and sweet boy 💕

02/16/2022

Patches not so sure about this process….he was a little timid but patience ended with him being comfortable and happy. Photos to follow.

02/07/2022

Fun fact: Cats are my specialty. I began breeding and showing cats back in 2002 and was involved in rescue prior. Here are a few of my own kitties. I do groom cats that need haircuts too. These guys are a couple of my own kitties.

02/07/2022

We are working on getting a website up and running so that we will have the availability to schedule online. Keep watching the page for updated information on when our website will go live.

02/06/2022

This sweet little girl came in to see me yesterday a big matted mess. She was just the sweetest most well behaved girl who gave me kisses on my face anytime she could. This girl is why I do what I do. While I hate seeing their coats in this condition it is so very rewarding when they are finished and you know you helped this baby feel better.

02/04/2022

Back at it and thrilled with my clients from the past 2 days. Nugget is the little black mixed breed puppy who came in for her very first groom. She is pretty special because she is the sister to my own little dog Freya.

The handsome Pomeranian boy is named Wilson and he was such a joy to work with. I always get so much joy when I get to give a dog a haircut but at the same time keep them long. It makes me heart happy.

02/01/2022

Been hanging out at home recuperating from being sick. Back at it tomorrow and glad to be feeling better. PM to book any appointments. I have morning appointments available between 9 am and 11 am for cats and 11 am and later for dogs

01/27/2022

I tend to post a lot of haircut photos but I do also groom dogs that require bathing and deshedding. This little black shihtzu came to see me today to get cleaned up as well as this pretty husky girl named Bella. She was pretty hairy and I missed the before pictures but she cleaned up quite nicely.

01/26/2022

This lovely little “mini” standard poodle Eve came to see me yesterday for her very first grooming at 7 months old. She was quite a little fluffy girl but she was wonderful to work on.

01/24/2022

I figured I would make a little “Meet Your Groomer” post.

A little about me: My name is Jennifer and I am a lifelong animal lover. Ever since I was a little girl I have always had a special connection with animals and knew that more than anything I wanted to work with animals on some level.

After many twists and turns in this thing called life I have held many hats when it comes to animals. I have been involved in rescuing cats, assisting with feral colonies, rescuing dogs, showing dogs (boxers, a Boston terrier, and an Aussie), breeding dogs (boxers and mini dachshunds), and ultimately showing and breeding American Curl cats. I have had American curls since 2005 and they are a big passion of mine.

When I am not spending my time grooming I am spending time with my family, spending time with my cats, and spending time with God.

It took many years before I would finally become a groomer. After a very short lived bather/brushed job at age 16 I was turned off from the industry but at age 44 I am happy to say that my dream was finally realized and I am working full time as a groomer. I am a patient groomer who believes in catering to the needs of your pet first. I also come from many years in the hospitality and customer service industries and use that experience to help my customers have a pleasant experience.

I currently work Monday-Saturday and schedule appointments beginning at 9am. Please feel free to give me a call to discuss your grooming needs and schedule an appointment.

01/22/2022

I have to say I absolutely love grooming poodles and their transformations are always so nice. This little sweetheart was one of my clients today.

01/21/2022

I am available for grooming 6 days a week. I am usually in the shop everyday from 11am until 4pm. I also have availability between 9am and 11am for private one on one appointments for dogs that may be a bit nervous or apprehensive with barking animals or for cats. Yes, you read that right. I do groom cats and have 20 years of experience breeding and showing my own purebred cats. Please feel free to PM me or give me a call at (907)671-8144 to discuss your grooming needs.

01/15/2022

Cookie feels and looks so much better. What a sweet little Shihtzu girl.

01/15/2022

This lovely little Poodle named Tucker came to visit me yesterday to get all tidied up. He was such a sweet boy to work with.

01/11/2022

This little 8 month old dirty boy came to see me today. He looks so much cleaner and he was such a good baby despite being a bit of a wiggle worm.

01/08/2022

One sweet golden doodle all freshly groomed ❤️

01/08/2022

Various before and after photos (some just after) of dogs I have groomed