Something for the weekend? Free pet photography at Equipet in Belgard Retail Park
By Mary Dennehy
Need a haircut, wash and blow-dry? Followed by a massage and a bath? Then get those nails clipped and ears cleaned? What pooch wouldn’t love that?
The Groom Room at Equipet at the Belgard Retail Park is gearing up for a busy Christmas period, and is this Saturday having a free pet photography day from 12pm to 3pm – which includes one free professional print for each pet.
Maria Good, Sophie Keogh, Aoife Greene and Shona Kelly
Pet store manager Shona Kelly caught up with The Echo this week to tell us about the free pet photography day, the Equipet Groom Room and how to get your dog Christmas ready.
She said: “I wouldn’t be leaving [grooming until the] last minute, because then you’re firing your dog into a stressful environment because you’re running around last minute – book a week in advance, like you would with your own good hairdresser.
“So at the end of November, I’d get your dog the full-works, and then just before Christmas maybe a ‘wash and go’ to have them all set and beautiful for the big day.”
‘The works’ package costs €35 to €80 depending on the hair length of the dog, and it includes everything a “high-class grooming service” would provide and topped off with an after-scent to keep the dog “fresh for weeks”.
A ‘wash and go’ is a lot simpler at only €20, just a wash and blow-dry to keep any hound looking sharp in between cuts and it could be partnered with a tear-stain remover or fresh breath treatment for another €10 to make it “fresher for an owner getting their kisses”.
The Groom Room at Equipet opened in December last year, and with their two part-time groomers Aoife and Bernie, they complete roughly 40 treatments a week while singing to the specific dog being groomed.
“It’s been a very successful launch of the Groom Room, and we have really hit the ground running”, said Shona.
“Every dog gets the right amount of attention, and the dogs are left free running to make sure it’s as stress free as possible for them.”
There’s free pet photography by Wet Nose this Saturday
On Saturday there is a free pet photography day at the Tallaght Equipet from 12pm to 3pm with Shona exclaiming that it is for “any pet”.
She said: “Bring any pet you want, Michelle from Wet Nose Studio is brilliant, they have photographed snakes, hamsters and all sorts before so bring ANY pet – well within reason.
“It’s a brilliant buzz, people do be bringing their dogs in with little Santa hats and everything, and you can turn the pictures into Christmas cards for those very special people in your life.”
Michelle from Wet Nose will set up a studio on site for professional pet shots.
Photographs are free on the day, and include one free print – with an offer available to turn your pet’s pic into 15 Christmas cards costing €10.
To get an animal photographed for free head to The Groom Room at Equipet this Saturday, November 17, between 12pm and 3pm in the Belgard Retail Park (beside B&Q).
