Dog Lovers Rock!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Dog people are just the best!

 

I'm hiring a contractor to build me a customized doggie shower in the basement. Sounds a bit elaborate for someone who only a few months ago was complaining of how expensive home ownership is; but I swear it is really not going to be so pricey, and at this point it is becoming a bit of a necessity. Bending over my deep soaker tub is too hard on my back and leaves me in agony for a couple of days. My house is a dirty mess from eight muddy paws running around the house, and bringing those freshly muddied paws up the carpeted stairs for a soak in the tub isn’t my idea of a good time.

 

When I bought the house I paid for a groupon thingy for a full day of service from this guy and I haven't used it yet. Before it expired I called him out to the house to give me an estimate on a few things for my basement down the road and to get a sense of what he thinks he can accomplish with the one day groupon as a start. So when I sheepishly slipped in my idea of having a doggie shower in the basement his eyes lit up. Yep, he's a dog person. On and on we went, planning, plotting and scheming this fun new project. He says he can do the labour in the one day that I had already paid for, and he offered to help me source materials on the cheap - and he wasn't kidding either.

 

He called me the other day and told me to go to a particular plumbing supplier and ask for a guy named Victor who could help with materials and supplies. Victor is a parts guy who works in the warehouse\clearance area of a huge high-end bathroom fixture and plumbing company. My contractor told me he had mentioned this project to him and it turned out he had done something similar and had lots of ideas for me. Today I went to see Victor, and once again was graced by the wonderful enthusiasm that emanates from every true dog lover. He explained the design he used and then proceeded to hook me up with at least $600-$700 worth of supplies, including a high-end faucet, tap, shower pan, and hand held shower head with hose, along with piping and fittings. With an extra half off "dog lovers" discount from the already heavily reduced clearance prices I paid $140 and now have everything I need plumbing and fixture wise. Let's hope I find another dog lover during next week-end's trip to Home Depot to purchase the rest of the materials (wood for the platform and steps, and some tiles).

 

After that, all I’ll need is a grooming table and perhaps even some clippers (and some lessons on how to use them) and I’ll have myself a fully functional doodle grooming station in the basement. If I can reduce the amount of money I spend at the groomers it will all be worth it :) ... if not, well then I’ll still have a really cool doggie shower in my basement to brag about.

 

Dog Lovers Rock!

 

p.s. here are some images that I'm using for inspiration.... mine won't be nearly this nice but it is nice to dream.

Modern Laundry Room

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Oh how wonderful it would be!  I have a walk in shower with a hand held that I use. I break my back though so  I bring in a small stool to sit on. I would love a good dryer since he is so hard to dry off using my personal dryer.  I have used the shop vac on blower-but he is not crazy about the noise and dragging it all the way upstairs is a pain.  I am looking forward to summer and a kiddie pool, but guess my back will not like that much either.  

Enjoy the new addition!  and don't forget to post some pictures!   

[BG and Gavin]

That last picture has my heart racing!  Great fortune hooking up with the dog-loving contractors underground.  Looking forward to the after pics!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Gotcha : )

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Lol F. I'm not sure he's in my age range. I'll respond to everyone else's comments later when the work day is through, but for now, I need to put that one to rest!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is so great! I would love a doggie shower but I don't really have a place for it. BTW, is the contractor single? : )

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

How awesome!  I'm really looking forward to pictures of your finished shower!  So glad you found some dog lovers to help bring your vision to reality!  You're right - dog lovers rock!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Traci, Years ago with another large dog I drove from the country to the city (60 miles one way)  to use a doggie wash as it was winter and I was not set up to wash him during cold weather.  If I lived in the city I would probably use it all the time.  It was $12.00 for a 75 pound dog.  They supplied the shampoo and towels too. Cole' loved going there and would walk up the steps and into the tub.  

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

OMD!  This is great!  I LOVE these ideas!  I really like all of them, although I wasn't sure how you would get the dogs, particularly big & heavy dogs, into the shower if it is up higher.  So...steps, huh?  I just hope they would be good about going up the steps knowing what they were walking into!  I could see mine not wanting to go up!  I DO love how your priorities are to get the dog shower before finishing the laundry room!  That made me smile.  This actually gave me another idea.  Wouldn't it be neat to own a business, kind of like a laudromat, only a dogomat?  You could just take your dog in and use the shower things and the dryers, etc. and clean your dogs yourself?  Although I guess the insurance would be too high, considering you'd have to be insured for accidents like dogs biting other dogs or people...never mind.  Enjoy your shower!  Please post pictures when project is done!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Wow...so jealous.  I pay someone to bathe my dogs for the same reason you don't bathe yours.  And on top of leaning over to wash them, the main tub with removable spray nozzle has a tub SUNK INTO THE GROUND.  So washing the dog means not only leaning over, but leaning WAAAAAY over and down as well.  I hope you post pictures once it's done so we can again tell you how lucky you are!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was a little nervous when you got to the part about going to the warehouse and asking for a guy named Victor, lol. Glad he turned out to be a dog lover! This sounds like a great idea, Sherri, I can't wait to see the finished shower!