What would you do?

[Keera's Mom]

I planned to take my beloved Keera for a “day at the spa” (groomer) since the new puppies are 8 weeks old and I felt she really need to be cleaned up better than I can do at home after caring for 5 puppies all this time. When I made the appt about two weeks ago the owner of salon said she wanted to see the puppies so I took one of the puppies “Beauty” with me to drop off Keera..

This groomer has been in business around the corner from my home for years... I live on a lake and lake people kind of support each others businesses... I had never taken Keera there before and my regular groomer said they wouldn’t groom her until her milk was all dried up, but this lake side groomer said she would do it without any issue at all..

So here is how my day started: appointment was for 8am.. I arrived with Keera and one of the puppies. I was the first one there and we started talking and showing off the puppy in the lobby area. I was filling out paper work.. The groomer has two employees and they had two dogs which belonged to either the owner of the salon or employees behind this lobby area I’m not sure which at this point... One of the employee said “my puppy (30 lbs) wants to see your puppy, Can he?” I responded with a sure.. 30 seconds later.. all HELL broke loose.. Her dog bite the puppy in the mussel!!!

My puppy was screamed and running under the groomers tables and I was trying to get her and she was running around just screaming and bleeding.. I finally got her and she was bleeding from the nostrils and inside her mouth. I asked for a sink and all three of them came and helped me. I was holding this baby in the sink and still she was screaming and they helped me spray her mussel off and get the bleeding stopped. This entire time they are saying how sorry they are and they will cover the vet costs.. They also said that dog had all its shots and so on. I explained I thought they should rethink about having that dog around customers dogs... I asked for phone and called home.. I told my son to be outside and that I would need his help.. They gave me a towel and I wrapped the puppy up ran home grabbed my son and went strait to the vet..

The puppy has two puncture wounds but she will be okay and we are keeping her and antibiotics just in case.. The vet cleaned it really good and so on..
Get this... I had left Keera there to get groomed and I fully expected them to offer me a discount or some thing... My vet called them and they said they would bring by a check to cover the cost of the vet bill before 5pm today..

At noon they called and say Keera is ready.. I go over and I’m still thinking they are going to take a check to the animal hospital before 5pm.. They had Keera running around the salon and their dogs were caged.. But other owners dogs were loose in the salon... They present me with a bill and asked if still had my coupon I mentioned this morning.. I was in shock!! I paid their bill and left.

A few hours later the vet called and they had not shown up to cover the bill.. I tried to call them and they didn’t answer... I drove over there and they were “closed”.. I told the vet not to worry I would cover it...

I called the police to make a report but they came out and said it was a civil matter I would have to take her to court.. What if this had been someones child? Instead of my puppy?

Okay doodle lovers chime in... what do I do now.

[Sandy]

First of all - you can't change the fact that you left Keera to be groomed, and Keera is fine. Cut yourself some slack. If there was a "next" time, you would perhaps think more clearly. You were panicing, and did the best you could.

Secondly, if the try to renege on paying your bill, remind them that you're sure the newspaper would enjoy a good human interest story, and that quite frankly, their business could suffer. It's not a threat, it's just calling them on the carpet. They were completely at fault.

[Deena Womack]

I agree with talking to the owner, give them the opportunity to make it right. And they should make right with the puppy and Keera. What a shame that this had to happen the way it did and luckily everyone is ok. You were much better about the situation then I would be... I tend to get a little mean (protective) when something happens to (kids, doodle, husband) that I don't like.

[Keera's Mom]

I just wanted you to see how wonderful this puppy is doing.. Please go to my page and go down to the photo slide show the first 17 pictures are of the puppy who was bitten at the groomers. Isn’t she a beauty... actually that is kind of her name right now "Beauty".

[Keera's Mom]

I just wanted you to see how wonderful this puppy is doing.. Please go to my page and go down to the photo slide show the first 17 pictures are of the puppy who was bitten at the groomers. Isn’t she a beauty... actually that is kind of her name right now "Beauty".

[Keera's Mom]

I am a stock broker and I did pay for the grooming with my card.. which is also from my firm .. I could stop payment on the bill if a wanted too.. I know the groomer isn't open tomorrow so I can not go there however, I'm off work on Monday and I'm betting on them being open but I can not say I will be able to "keep my cool" if I go there.. My baby was hurt and I get more angry every moment I think about it.

My X has such a bad temper... when I called him tonight he was ready to drive 700 miles to deal with them.. sometimes I wish I could have that temper for a moment.. I just tend to cry...
When I spoke with my x ... his comment was .. I know you still have that temper somewhere... get mad .. get even.. If anyone is a member of Angie list please let me know and I can give you the info to "rate" this groomer...

The puppy is sleeping and I am out of tears... well for tonight... I will go tomorrow to the vet and pay the bill and deal with them after.. My plan is to talk to them.. if this doesn't work I will call the BBB and everyone I can think of .. I don't want any other dog or puppy or child hurt...

[Sheila Rader]

I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal. I'm glad everyone is (sort of ) okay. I feel so bad for all of you.
I'm not sure what you should do next, but I don't feel that woman should continue to run a business. I would spread the work around the "lake people" because I know a lot of them have dogs.
Sheila

[Keera's Mom]

Hello Sheila

Please remember that doodles are so friendly they do not think other dogs can be mean.. please keep your new baby safe.. I couldn't take it if something happened to her.

[Linda and Murphy]

I don't have any advice, but just wanted you to know how sorry I am that all of this happened.
I am sure you will deal with it properly. I am just so sorry it happened.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

What a nightmare you have been through. I am really sorry that something like this happened. You wanted to do something good to Keera and got this mess. I am glad that the puppy is alright. Don't blame yourself that you left Keera there because you cannot change it anymore and thank god she is alright. I don't know how I would have reacted in this situation and I think it is normal that your first thoughts were to get the puppy to the vet immediately.
If I were you I would go there again as soon as they are open and try to solve the situation. Try to stay calm and functional although I know it is hard. If they really refuse to pay the vet and give you an reimbursement I wouldn't even argue with them but I would make sure that everyone gets to know the story and I am sure that their business will suffer as people tend to tell bad experiences to 10 other people so the story will spread!
Other thoughts are with you and let us know how it went. Good luck and doodlehugs to Keera and the puppies from Benny and Zoe

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

I am so sorry for what happened to you....After all that happened getting the puppy to the vet was the most important thing to do, so don't be upset for leaving Keera there. We all would do things different after the fact and after we had time to think about it....I would stop payment on m credit card and would report to the police a dog bite...I would probably make their life hell for not being a responsible dog owner no less a responsible business owner that deals with dogs....I am happy the puppy is going to be fine....I think you need to relax and stop beating yourself up....this is not something you planned on doing it was a good idea gone bad and NOT YOUR FAULT..... hugs from me and kisses from Ozzy and Zoey

[Beth and Gang]

WOW!!

I feel bad for the puppy, for poor Keera, the puppy Mom, to witness it and then stay there to be groomed and of course you too.
This is a sad situation.

I hope the groomer follows through and pays for the vet bill. If not you do have legal grounds to pursue.
Was this puppy sold already? Or still waiting for the right family? The poor little pup should probably stay with you and Mom a little longer. How traumatic!!

[Keera's Mom]

I just wanted you to see how wonderful this puppy is doing.. Please go to my page and go down to the photo slide show the first 17 pictures are of the puppy who was bitten at the groomers. Isn’t she a beauty... actually that is kind of her name right now "Beauty".