Sam's Grooming 780-833-4516
Changing The World One Dog At A Time

Grooming History

I began my career as a dog bather. I was hired by Sandra Hogenbaum at Swiftfox in Ft.St.John in early2000.
Dispite my life long love for animals, I was a little ashamed to admit that I could barely tell one breed from the other.
After a couple months of washing dogs however, I think Sandy could tell that I really enjoyed what I was doing, and seeing how I treated the dogs, she took it upon herself to show me a few grooming tip's. One thing led to another and before I knew it I had actually groomed my first dog. I had my problems, like i'm sure any new groomer does, but she was always encouaging. I can remember her sitting quietly in the background watching me take 4 hours to bath a newfounland. All she did was give me a little smile and a look that said I could have done better. That was the kind of teacher she was, and I truely would not be where I am today if it weren't for her. The knowledge she shared with me has been invaluable, and  her patience really needs to be commended. I worked with Sandy for just about 4 years,
so in early 2004 when we had to relocate for my husbands job, I was extremely unhappy about having to leave.
   My first Standard Poodle
     Groomed at Swiftfox.
The move brought us to Beaverlodge, where I must say I took a very long vacation.
In early 2005 I went to work as a salaried employee at the Poodle Parlor in G.P.
It was a rather interesting, and at times very frustrating 2 1/2 years, as the business went through a lot of changes. The shop itself was relocated in the spring of 2006.
At about the same time,  we as groomers were presented with the opportuity to become independant contractor's.
During my last year at the P.P. we (well, really me)  hired Kelly as a bather. Knowing she wanted to learn how to groom, I took it upon myself to train her.
It was a lot of work, and a lot of extra hours for me, but I really felt good knowing I
was making a difference, and really helping her out.      
            "What goes around comes around"              Thanks Sandy!
And then BOOM  everything changed,!
The business was sold, and the new owner could not come to term's with us being independant contractor's and continually changed our month to month lease to suit her needs. In the end I was unjustly and rather abruptly evicted from the Poodle Parlor.
 
My Husband (my part time helper)
  And Caleb, one of our dog's
Which in the end, turned out to be a real blessing. 
I was unable to find a suitable space, either in G.P or Beaverlodge, but I knew I had the shop at home, so with a lot of remodeling and hard work,        I was able to open for business in October of 2007.
 
I lost alot of clientelle, and a lot of good friends and I'd like to say thank you to all of those people who regularly brought their dogs to me.
I really miss seeing you and working with your dog's. 
 
 
I've just past the first anniversary of being in business for myself, and it has been great. I have met alot of wonderful people and I am getting to know the pet population in the area.
I look forward to a long career, serving the people and their pet's,
in Beaverlodge and the surrounding area's.
 
 
                                 
PLEASE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT: 780-833-4516         Page built by:SAM GORDON