Hull Times story about dogs
When it comes to Hull’s four-legged friends,
pampering pets is a big business
By Joe Berkeley 22.FEB.07
If the one word of advice given to the class of 1967 was “plastics” the rallying cry for the class of 2007 may well be “pets.”
While a surf shop and a gift shop in Hull have closed their doors or relocated, pet-related businesses are thriving. At 813 Nantasket Ave., between S and T streets, where three rickety sheds once stood, Sunshine Pet Parlor does a brisk business.
Ceil Garber, the proprietress, is no newcomer to the trade. She’s been grooming pets since 1988 and was a founding member of Hull Seaside Animal Rescue in 1999. On Nov. 13, she opened the doors of her brand-new, shingle-style building.
Thus far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. According to Garber, “People come from Scituate, Cohasset, Hingham and points beyond for grooming.” The shop also offers pet sitting, daily walking, and healthy pet foods and treats.
The average cost of a grooming is $35, a nail clipping is $5, and a dog walk is $13.
One of her many grooming customers is Goldie, a Hull dog. Although Goldie had no comment for the Times, she appeared to be having a great time careening around the shop while she waited to be beautified.
Her spirited disposition was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Goldie was getting around on just three legs. According to Garber, a few years back, Goldie jumped out of a second story window, had a bad break, and had to have one of her front legs amputated.
While she does groom all breeds of dogs, Garber will, when pressed, admit that her favorite breed is the English Springer Spaniel. Soon, though, seeking to separate her personal from her professional life, she said, “I never play favorites in the workplace. I have no breed biases. I’m grooming a huge Rottweiler today that is the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet. Everyone’s welcome.”
The dedication to fairness is proven out by the fact that Garber alternates which of her own two dogs get to be the shop dog.
To be the shop dog is a good gig indeed. Like a rock star on vacation, Pinta, the shop dog on a recent Saturday, spent the morning lounging on the sofa, and going in and out of the doggie doors to frolic in the fully fenced, 2,000-square-foot play yard. Her only responsibility was to greet the adoring fans that came to visit her.
Garber isn’t the only Hullonian who finds working with dogs rewarding. Jill Cincotta Orpen, the proprietress of Dog Peace, said, “I’m living the dream I had as a kid, hanging out with dogs. My clients are extremely happy.”
Five years ago, she started the business. The idea for the logo, the peace sign, came to her before the name.
She explained, “I think they [dogs] deserve peace. They give us so much.”
Yet while she does love dogs, she is quick to point out that the work is hard. She said, “We like this business, but it’s 24/7…you have to be on the ball.”
The future looks promising for all of those who make a living caring for pets. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, “63 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 69.1 million homes.”
Recently, Jill and her husband, Dave, had twins, Katherine Maybel and Kristina Florence. Orpen said, “They get along with dogs. I’m very pleased with how it’s going.”
Like a seasoned diplomat, Orpen says that she does not have a favorite breed of dog, but does admit that one day, she would like to have an Irish setter.
For now, her heart belongs to Romeo, a Bull Mastiff rescue dog whom Dave Orpen described as “aloof.” The couple adopted Romeo five years ago, and he has kept them laughing ever since. “This dog should be famous. We need a calendar or something,” said Orpen.
Buffet might not agree. The official dog mascot of The Hull Times, as well as a customer of Dog Peace, Buffet is a Portuguese water dog who has a reputation for being an independent spirit.
But even Buffet of the mighty fourth estate is compelled to mind his manners when he visits Dog Peace. “He must behave when he’s with us,” said Orpen.
pampering pets is a big business
By Joe Berkeley 22.FEB.07
If the one word of advice given to the class of 1967 was “plastics” the rallying cry for the class of 2007 may well be “pets.”
While a surf shop and a gift shop in Hull have closed their doors or relocated, pet-related businesses are thriving. At 813 Nantasket Ave., between S and T streets, where three rickety sheds once stood, Sunshine Pet Parlor does a brisk business.
Ceil Garber, the proprietress, is no newcomer to the trade. She’s been grooming pets since 1988 and was a founding member of Hull Seaside Animal Rescue in 1999. On Nov. 13, she opened the doors of her brand-new, shingle-style building.
Thus far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. According to Garber, “People come from Scituate, Cohasset, Hingham and points beyond for grooming.” The shop also offers pet sitting, daily walking, and healthy pet foods and treats.
The average cost of a grooming is $35, a nail clipping is $5, and a dog walk is $13.
One of her many grooming customers is Goldie, a Hull dog. Although Goldie had no comment for the Times, she appeared to be having a great time careening around the shop while she waited to be beautified.
Her spirited disposition was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Goldie was getting around on just three legs. According to Garber, a few years back, Goldie jumped out of a second story window, had a bad break, and had to have one of her front legs amputated.
While she does groom all breeds of dogs, Garber will, when pressed, admit that her favorite breed is the English Springer Spaniel. Soon, though, seeking to separate her personal from her professional life, she said, “I never play favorites in the workplace. I have no breed biases. I’m grooming a huge Rottweiler today that is the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet. Everyone’s welcome.”
The dedication to fairness is proven out by the fact that Garber alternates which of her own two dogs get to be the shop dog.
To be the shop dog is a good gig indeed. Like a rock star on vacation, Pinta, the shop dog on a recent Saturday, spent the morning lounging on the sofa, and going in and out of the doggie doors to frolic in the fully fenced, 2,000-square-foot play yard. Her only responsibility was to greet the adoring fans that came to visit her.
Garber isn’t the only Hullonian who finds working with dogs rewarding. Jill Cincotta Orpen, the proprietress of Dog Peace, said, “I’m living the dream I had as a kid, hanging out with dogs. My clients are extremely happy.”
Five years ago, she started the business. The idea for the logo, the peace sign, came to her before the name.
She explained, “I think they [dogs] deserve peace. They give us so much.”
Yet while she does love dogs, she is quick to point out that the work is hard. She said, “We like this business, but it’s 24/7…you have to be on the ball.”
The future looks promising for all of those who make a living caring for pets. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, “63 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 69.1 million homes.”
Recently, Jill and her husband, Dave, had twins, Katherine Maybel and Kristina Florence. Orpen said, “They get along with dogs. I’m very pleased with how it’s going.”
Like a seasoned diplomat, Orpen says that she does not have a favorite breed of dog, but does admit that one day, she would like to have an Irish setter.
For now, her heart belongs to Romeo, a Bull Mastiff rescue dog whom Dave Orpen described as “aloof.” The couple adopted Romeo five years ago, and he has kept them laughing ever since. “This dog should be famous. We need a calendar or something,” said Orpen.
Buffet might not agree. The official dog mascot of The Hull Times, as well as a customer of Dog Peace, Buffet is a Portuguese water dog who has a reputation for being an independent spirit.
But even Buffet of the mighty fourth estate is compelled to mind his manners when he visits Dog Peace. “He must behave when he’s with us,” said Orpen.
posted by joe berkeley at 9:11 AM
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