Flea And Tick Control Products - Dracut, Massachusetts

So why pooches instead of people?
“After graduating from the Pedigree Career Institute of Dog Grooming in 1987, I worked at a grooming salon in Tewksbury for two years. While working in this salon, I was able to enhance the basic skills I had learned in school, and also to increase the quickness at which I could groom pets. After completing my second year of employment, an opportunity became available to acquire an existing grooming salon in Dracut that had been open for only about one year. After weighing the pros and cons (and a few sleepless nights!), I decided to give it a try. On August 21, 1989, “Four Paws Only” opened in a small plaza on Pleasant Street in Dracut (now known as the “Navy Yard Liquors Plaza”),” she said.
“The salon was small (only 400 square feet), and our overhead and expenses were high, but from the first day we opened, our appointment book was full. We started out with approximately 100 pre-existing clients, and each week that we were in business, our clientele grew by a dozen or more new pets!”

Burns is happy to say that the “new client” database is something she continues to achieve each week, even after 14+ years of grooming pets.

As “Four Paws Only” began to grow, there were many challenges to conquer, and many long days to be had - dog days, if you will. “Initially, our biggest challenge was being able to groom enough pets to cover the shop’s expenses, and hopefully our own as well.” Burns said. “The first several years, I worked six days a week, 12 hours a day, and managed to make only enough money to cover the shop’s expenses. My boyfriend John, worked full-time at Millipore Corporation in Bedford, and he would pay my personal expenses out of his own pocket, along with helping me out every night after work, cleaning up and doing any necessary repairs,” she said, adding good naturedly, “I knew he was a “keeper” from this point on!”

“The next challenge would be hiring employees, and in the pet-styling industry, there is a tremendous shortage of experienced groomers. Now that we had more pets than we could handle, we had an even harder time finding qualified personnel to do a precise job.” Burns found that she had become a “perfectionist” at her grooming abilities, and it made for difficult “shoes to fill” for any potential groomers that applied for a position.

“I felt that our clients had come to expect flawless grooming, and I wasn’t going to see that change. But after placing “help wanted” ads in the papers for several months, it became evident that good help was very hard to find.”
By the time she did find several qualified groomers, her clientele had grown to several thousand pets.
“Four Paws Only seemed to be outgrowing our little 400 square feet salon. The next challenge for us was deciding on another location - one that could accommodate more employees, and more pets. Around this time, my boyfriend John must have felt that if he was in this deep, why not go even deeper?”

John proposed marriage, not at a fancy restaurant, not in front of family, but asking Debbie to marry him in the little 400 square foot grooming salon where they had together spent so many late nights. She was covered in dog hair from yet another busy day, and he was still in his Millipore Corporation work uniform.

“Not very traditional or romantic, but it was still a very special and memorable moment for us,” she said.
Today, he serves as co-owner of Four Paws, while still working at Millipore after 22 years of service to the company. He is a vital part of the shop’s “start-up”, and continues to give his support towards the shop’s mechanical maintenance, and mechanical technical support.
So where to go now?

After working with local Realtors for almost one year, they located a single-family home that was business-zoned, about one mile from their Pleasant Street location. They worked closely with the town officials and the Planning Board to meet all the specific criteria required to receive a special permit allowing them to open a grooming salon and reside in the same house (this required a “multi-use” permit).
They were married on Sept. 26, 1992, went on their honeymoon, and after returning signed papers on the future site of Four Paws Only.

It was a ranch house, located on the corners of Lakeview Avenue and Gerard Street. Their biggest challenge over the following year would be to somehow build a state-of-the-art grooming salon, while still struggling to pay staff at their existing location.

“With the passing of each year, we continued to stay in the plaza, and as the rent continued to increase, even though we had plenty of clients, the income the shop generated was still not enough to provide me with any kind of a steady income. We carefully planned out every detail in the layout of the new salon,” she remembers. “We wanted an atmosphere that was both people and pet friendly. With a tremendous amount of assistance from our family and friends, (and multiple credit cards - especially Home Depot), we opened our new business location in May, 1994. To date, we have been in business for 14+ years. We currently have 5 employees on staff, and now have over 6,000 clients!” she says with a touch of amazement.

“My husband John still works at Millipore. We’ve been married eleven years now, and over the past few years I’ve been able to put together a nice benefits package to offer my full-time employees.”

Just recently, over the past couple of years, the Burns’ have been able to start taking vacations again - a luxury they haven’t shared since their honeymoon.

They are the proud parents of “two furry children” - Paesan, a two year-old Black Labrador Retriever, and Sonia, a six year-old white Standard Poodle.

Although she built the business from the ground up, Burns is quick to credit her carefully chosen staff. “The staff member of Four Paws Only all hold extensive backgrounds, not only in professional pet styling, but also such specifics as “Small Animal Care”, “Show Grooming”, “Show Handling”, “Feline Grooming”, and “Pet First Aid/CPR”.

“This allows them to answer many pet-related questions that pet owners often may have.”

They also take pride in displaying the numerous trophies and awards they’ve collected through the years for grooming skills.

For always striving to seek improvement, and keeping updated with the latest pet styles, the pet styling industry has bestowed upon Four Paws Only, the following awards: Top Poodle Groomer, Top Mixed Breed Groomer, Best All Around Groomer, and Intergroom Invitational, Team Rodeo Award.

“Becoming a pet stylist is not an easy profession to master,” says Burns, “although many people may think of it as a “fun” profession. It is a very difficult one to stick with. It requires patience, a sense of humor (like when dogs and cats pee and poop on you every day), unconditional love (because pets don’t always want to be groomed), physical stamina (we stand on our feet for about 10 hours a day), and a strong stomach (we see lots of fleas, ticks, and other bugs).”

“Some may look at it and think it would be much easier to get an office job - perhaps more lucrative as well. However, the people that truly love animals “unconditionally”, will take getting peed and pooped on, bit and scratched, and a sore back - any day - over an office job. Myself, being a true animal lover, the rewards of this profession outweigh any of the negative aspects.”

And that, is one of the truest measures of success.

Women In Business Profiles Fall 2003

DRACUT - She holds a degree from the Lowell Academy of Hairstyling, yet she decided she’d rather groom...

Dear Charlie,
Now that all of us four-legged friends have survived the winter blues, spring has sprung! We are all looking forward to walks in the park, running in the woods, climbing trees and sniffing in the bushes and fresh green grass. Pets love springtime! With all the great things this time of year has to offer, we've been hearing about these awful bloodsucking creatures called ticks that lurk in all of our favorite play areas. Would you be able to tell us a little information on what these ticks want with us and how we can protect ourselves from them?

Your Friends,
Baily, Buffy, Fluffy & Furball

Dear Friends,
I, too, have heard of these parasites that suck the blood of dogs and cats in the early months of spring and make our owners shake and shiver with the mere sight of one. Recently, I went to my pet stylist for my spring clean-up and I heard the pet stylist speaking to my owner about this being an unusually bad year for ticks due to the mild winter that we had this year. The stylist explained that ticks are eight-legged, wingless parasites related to the mite and spider family. She further explained that ticks don't fly or jump; they wait in the grass, brush and near swampy and wooded areas.
When we walk through these places and brush against trees, etc., the ticks climb on our faces, fur and ears. Once the ticks are on us they attach themselves and begin to bite and suck the blood of the host. Ticks will continue to feed for a period of several days to several weeks! At the end of this feeding period, the tick will then drop off and lay eggs (which could hatch in our homes) and then start looking for its next victim.
My pet stylist informed my owner that there are two types of ticks. The first is the brown dog tick, which is the one we are most likely to find on our pets. The second type is the deer tick. This type is a much smaller species and its average size is about the size of a pinhead. The deer tick is the one that is responsible for carrying lyme disease, a disease that can be transmitted to pets as well as humans. Lyme disease is a difficult condition to diagnose, and often people and pets have never even seen the tick that may have bitten them. The deer tick, although tiny in size, will leave a circular bite mark on the host. The brown dog tick will leave a welt that may be red and irritated in appearance.
After hearing this serious information on ticks my owner was pleased to hear that there are several new products available to protect dogs and cats from these blood thirsty parasites. The stylist recommended a topical product that was easily applied once a month, to not only protect me from ticks, but it also eliminates fleas as well!
Now that you have the information you need, get yourself protected, and don't let those pesky parasites ruin your fun this springtime.

Signed,
Charlie

Debbie Burns has owned and operated Four Paws Only Pet Salon, 5 Gerard St., Dracut, for 13 years. Her staff has been awarded many prestigious awards for their excellence in the art of pet styling: Best poodle groomer (Shannon Duggan); Best mixed breed groomer (Shannon Duggan); Best team competition (Debbie Burns and Shannon Duggan). The Four Paws Only staff is available Mon. - Sat./7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for all your flea and tick protection needs to keep your pet "flea and tick free" all springtime long.

charlie

It's Tick Season

Dear Charlie,Now that all of us four-legged friends have survived the winter blues, spring has sprung!...

Dear Charlie,
As a member of the "feline" community, I would like to request your expertise on a problem I've been having this winter pertaining to snarls and matts in my beautiful long coat. I am a long-haired Persian cat and I have been noticing lately my coat has been uncontrollable. My owner combs me weekly but she cannot seem to keep up with the matts and knots in my coat. When she tries to detangle my knots, I get angry with her and bite and scratch her. Is there any better way of keeping me looking fabulous without this discomfort?

Dear fuzzy feline,

Even though history dictates dogs and cats are supposed to be enemies, I am pleased to give advice to all four pawed friends, even the feline variety. Cats such as you, with long, profuse, thick coats, need a great deal of grooming and at-home maintenance brushing. When we see the beautiful "Fancy Feast" silverpoint Persian on TV, we all see a gorgeous cat with a long, flowing, glamorous coat. What we don't see is the time that the kitty has spent being brushed, combed and conditioned to get to that superior look. A great deal of people love the look of a beautiful long-haired breed of cat. There are many to select from. When selecting a longer coated cat breed, owners should keep in mind the commitment to proper grooming and home brushing that will be involved. They should also consider the cost that will be incurred for professional grooming. Grooming charges for cats can run from $35.00 up to $80.00, depending on the kitty's condition, and its disposition. Some cats don't take too well to grooming and can be a challenge to even the most experienced groomer.
The best maintenance routine to use when keeping your feline's coat in top condition is to use a "slicker brush" (a metal bristle brush with bent tips), which enables the tips to get down to the skin where the matts start. Then follow with a complete combing. Professional groomers recommend an "anti-stat" spray to use on the cat's coat to make brushing easier. If the kitty is not accepting of being groomed, you may have to begin with several short sessions of only a few minutes each day and give the kitty a special reward each session so the kitty will gain continued trust and patience. Use extreme caution when brushing your feline's belly area. Most cats consider this area "off limits," and may bite or scratch when you attempt to brush there. For this you may require assistance from someone to hold kitty's paws so no injuries are incurred. If your attempts are rendered useless you may need to contact a professional groomer that handles felines.
Not all groomers are skilled at cat grooming, so it may take a few phone calls to locate a specialist. Cat grooming is a real adventure to many groomers and if anyone has ever attempted to bathe and brush their cat at home, this term will have special meaning to them. (After a few band-aids, they call a pro!!).
If your cat's coat has begun to matt (hair that is knotted together, and cannot be brushed out) the groomer may need to clip the matted areas out of the coat. This procedure is the most pleasant way of getting matts from the cat's coat. Untreated matts pull at the skin and cause skin sores, dryness, and discomfort to the cat, and many cats will try to bite out matts that have been left untreated.
Particularly during the winter months long-haired cats are prone to excessive matting due to static, caused by home heating. The cat's coat gets dry and when they rub against furniture and carpets, they cause matts to start, seemingly overnight. Best of luck for a "knot free new year," miss fuzzy!!!

Signed,
Charlie

Cat Matts

Dear Charlie,As a member of the "feline" community, I would like to request your expertise on a problem...

Dear Charlie,

Over the past few weeks as the leaves have fallen to the ground, I've noticed my paws, eyes and ears have been very itchy. I've tried to lick, scratch and rub them, but the discomfort is endless. I have been biting at my fur to help alleviate the itchiness, but nothing seems to help. My owners keep yelling at me to stop scratching and they've even put me outside at night because I keep them awake with my scratching. Can you help me get some relief from my itchiness?

Red-eyed Rover

Dear Red-eyed Rover,

During the fall (and spring) months, dogs and cats are subject to seasonal allergies, not much unlike our human friends. There can be numerous sources of allergy-related symptoms in dogs and cats. Allergies can range from seasonal allergies (pollen, dust, ragweed, mold, lawn pesticides, insects), environmental allergies or household-related allergies (carpet fiber, plastic, dust, carpet cleaners) and food allergies (allergies to food ingredients put into our daily kibble). Most dog and cat allergies are predisposed at birth; however, most pets don't show any sensitivity until they reach two years of age.
The type of allergy symptoms you're exhibiting, Rover, sounds like a seasonal-type allergy. When we go outside in the yard or to the park to "do our business," "go potty," we walk thru grass, leaves, dirt, etc. When we walk, pollen, mold, and ragweed spores are on the ground and get on our paws. When we sniff and try to find that "perfect" spot to "do our business" we get these same spores on our noses and in our eyes and then the allergy-related symptoms begin. Some pets experience runny, watery eyes, itchy eyes, itchy swollen paws, runny nose, ear infections, skin rashes, etc.
To relieve these conditions your owner can provide a few simple solutions. First - when you come inside from being out in the yard, have your owner wipe your muzzle, paws and ears with a damp towel. This will help remove the allergens caused from leaves, grass, etc. This will in turn reduce the severity of your symptoms. Secondly, if you're still itchy, dogs can get symptom type relief from over the counter "Benadryl" allergy relief medication. (Yes - the same medication humans take when they have allergies.) Of course your owner would have to check with your veterinarian to get the recommended dosage for your size and weight.
The other two types of pet allergies are a little harder to determine. Food-type allergies also may include symptoms such as hair loss around the muzzle area, mouth lesions, weight loss and diarrhea, along with the more common itchy, licking and skin irritation type symptoms. The only way to diagnose a food-type allergy is to change your pet's kibble to a food that has 100% different ingredients than what you are eating now. Humans can easily decipher what kinds of foods are irritating or cause allergic reaction to them (peanuts, shellfish, dairy products) but for us pets it's a bit more difficult since we can't "speak" and tell our owners what bothers us when we eat. This is why a total diet change is the only certain way to determine exactly which ingredient in our food affects us adversely.
Environmental allergies can vastly range from just about any household product. A few of the items that have been more popular in this category are fibers in carpets, carpet dyes, blankets, pet bedding, wood or cedar shavings, plastic bowls, collars and leashes, and even dust. Similarly, as with the previous two kinds of allergies, it is difficult to determine exactly what specific item may be causing the reaction. There is a more precise way to pinpoint the source of any allergy through your veterinarian. Veterinarians can do a variety of tests called "scratch tests" and the results can help show what items you're hypersensitive to. Once this is determined your owner can help remove these items from your environment and then alleviate some of your distress. I hope I've given you some helpful tips and I hope you'll be "pawfect"ly itch-free in no time!

Sincerely,
Charlie

Your professional pet stylist has a variety of allergy relief treatments available to help your pet regain a healthy, shiny coat and recondition its irritated skin. A therapeutic bath will remove irritants from your pet's coat, therefore reducing the extent of the reaction the pet feels from the allergies. A few of the many services provided for pets in distress at my salon are: 1. Oatmeal and meleluca shampoo treatment - soothes the itch and helps to heal irritated, bitten skin and coat; 2. Aroma-therapy bath - cools inflammed skin and helps diminish odor caused by continuous licking of damaged fur with eucalyptus, lanolin and vitamin C; 3. Hot oil and exfoliate treatment - a luxurious treat which gives relief to itchy skin, exfoliates dry, dead skin cells and hot oil conditions damaged fur and skin to give a healthy shine.

Debbie Burns has owned and operated Four Paws Only pet styling salon, 5 Gerard St., Dracut, for 13 years. Her staff has been awarded many prestigious awards for their excellence in the art of pet styling. Best poodle groomer (Shannon Duggan), Best Mix Breed Groomer (Shannon Duggan), Best Team Competition (Debbie Burns and Shannon Duggan) are among their many achievements. The Four Paws Only staff is available Mon. - Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for all your pet's grooming and allergy relief needs. 957-PETS (7387)
Questions and comments can be sent to: Just Ask Charlie, c/o The Dispatch News, PO Box 1, Dracut, MA 01826 or e-mail to: dsn2020@cs.com or fax to: 978-957-1051.

A Question of Allergies

Dear Charlie, Over the past few weeks as the leaves have fallen to the ground, I've noticed my paws,...

Just Ask Charlie

Dear Charlie, My owners are always complaining about how bad my breath smells when I give them licks....

Dear Charlie,

My owners are always complaining about how bad my breath smells when I give them licks. Do you know of anything that might make my licks more refreshing?
Mutley

Dear Mutley,

Recently on a trip to the grooming salon, my owner mentioned to the pet stylist that I had a bad case of "dog-breath" (I was so humiliated!) and was there anything she might do to alleviate my oral odor. The pet stylist happily recommended a pet dental treatment and replied that she could provide this service along with my regular grooming. The pet stylist explained that the treatment would include a visual oral examination to check for tartar buildup, broken teeth and swollen gums, then she would brush my teeth with a special toothbrush made just for my size mouth with some delicious "beef" or "chicken" flavored toothpaste (cats love malt flavor!) Yummy! Finally she said she would finish the treatment with a few spritzes of breath spray on my sparkling white teeth. My owner was all smiles and I was "wagging" with anticipation of my delicious dental treatment.
When my day of beauty was complete, not only did my fur look and smell fabulous but my "dog breath" was history. My owner was so delighted I even got to give her licks on the lips!
So the next time your owner brings you to the grooming salon, be sure they ask the pet stylist if they offer dental treatments - you and your owner will "Paws"-i-tively love it.
Signed,
Charlie

During my 15 years as a professional pet stylist I have encountered many cases of "dog breath" and "tuna breath" and spoke to many owners who have expressed their unhappiness with their pet's "oral hygiene."
Plaque and tartar buildup originate from food and treats building up at the gumline. Foul odors release from the food and compound the odor as tartar begins to harden to teeth. Soft sticky foods contain more sugar and promote plaque formation. Dry, hard food is a better choice as it tends to delay tartar and plaque buildup. Dry food, however, is not a substitute for teethbrushing. If you have not been routinely caring for your pet's teeth, plaque buildup may be too excessive for a pet stylist - it may need to be removed by a veterinarian or yourself. In animals as well as humans dental care is an important part of healthy living. Regular teethbrushing sessions can extend your dog or cat's lifespan 3-5 years!
Seven Symptoms of Poor Oral Health: persistent bad breath; sensitivity around the mouth; pawing at the mouth; difficulty eating or chewing; bleeding gums; presence of tartar (creamy brown hard material); loose teeth.
There are several manufacturers of pet dental products. Most pet supply stores offer all you need to get started at home. If you're not one of those "DoItYourself" people, your pet's grooming salon may provide this service. Most salons charge a small fee to provide a dental treatment, (between $4 - $10) and it can be done along with their next grooming visit.
Happy Brushing.

Debbie Burns has owned & operated Four Paws Only pet grooming salon for 13 years. Her staff has been awarded many prestigious awards for their excellence in the act of pet grooming. Best Poodle Groomer, (Shannon Duggan), Best Mix Breed groomer, (Shannon Duggan), Best Team competition (Debbie Burns and Shannon Duggan) and many more. The Four Paws Only staff is available Mon. - Sat. at 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for all your pet's grooming and dental needs. 957-PETS (7387), 5 Gerard Street, Dracut, MA.