Budget Cuts

Due to lack of funding trips to the groomers are no longer in the family budget. Sarah, 28, of Ann Arbor attempted to cut the dog's hair twice before with normal hair clippers but failed. After two trips to PetSmart she finally succeeded in purchasing the appropriate clippers for $45.00. The sales clerk, however, warned her, "you get what you pay for." These clippers were approximately 1/4 of what she could have spent.

"I was really nervous because of my failed attempts," Sarah said. "I forgot my wallet the first trip to the store, so that added to my anxiety. The dog really, really needed a haircut though so I had to try."

The average amount of money spent on a dog haircut for this miniature schnauzer was $45 each grooming session, approximately two to four times a year.

Sarah has experience cutting her husband and children's hair, but not dog hair. Dog hair is much finer and in this case, the hair was matted in several places.

Sarah said she read the instructions, and then threw the dog in the bathtub to be washed. After drying the dog, out came the clippers.

"It was tough starting off because the blade guides, or guards, kept falling off and getting stuck in his hair," she said. "I finally took them off completely, something I hardly ever do during a normal haircut, and started buzzing away. It actually worked. I was really surprised."

The dog only yelped twice, and Tyler, Sarah's husband, had to come in and hold the dog while she cut the legs, face and belly.

"It was a sweaty, dirty job. It is definitely worth $45 to get the dog's hair cut by a professional."

When asked if she will do it again she commented she will probably have to, but hopefully the dog's hair will be in better condition so it doesn't look like a weed wacker chopped off his hair.

The clippers also performed their job without incident after two applications of oil. The biggest reason inexpensive clippers are broken is the motor burns out because it is on for so long. Sarah observed the clippers getting very hot, but they still functioned.

There is a 1 year limited warranty on the clippers and Sarah intends to keep all packaging and receipts in case they need to be returned to the manufacturer.

Despite numerous attempts for comments, Milo, the said dog, had no comment.