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| Laura Bejcek, Owner of Pudgy Puppies Grooming, with Freya |
“I love that people allow me to spend time with their animals.” -Laura Bejcek
Laura Bejcek is full of passion, she’s a dreamer, a creative, and she is humble. Self-described as socially awkward (I disagree), any supposed lack of communication skills with humans is certainly not apparent when it comes to the canine species. If you believe in empaths or simply that some people have a distinct calling in life—Laura has it with dogs.
Pudgy Puppies Grooming is a full-service dog grooming business owned and operated by Laura out of her home. It’s a drive out of town, but easy to find (us townies really like our 2-3 square miles). Walking into Pudgy Puppies is any dog-lovers dream; on interview day Laura had two boarders making her pack a solid seven that day—all different sizes and personalities.
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| Lola |
The newest member of her pack is a sweet Australian Shepherd puppy, Lola. Laura’s love for dogs is so strong that when she found out that Lola was deaf, only after bringing her home, she refused the previous owner’s offer to return the pup. Laura recognized that her pack will be good for Lola and is researching the best ways to communicate with her newest love. Another family member is a tiny little cutie named Muffin. Muffin was a one-time grooming client and when the owner stated that she was going to have to get rid of her, Laura said “she can be part of our family.” Rumor has it she is a daddy’s girl. Harley, a sweet Golden, was one of Laura’s oldest rescues and his pudgy frame was the inspiration for the business name. Unfortunately, he crossed the rainbow bridge last year.
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| Harley |
A life-time dog person, Laura didn’t start out with any intention of working in the grooming business (to be fair it wasn’t really a ‘thing’ like it is today). Laura has had a lot of jobs over the years, because unlike some people who think a job is a means, she truly believes a job is a dream. She had been chasing that dream all over Michigan, Florida, California, Montana, Las Vegas, and back and it was just a few years ago that she figured it out. While working in a retail shop washing dogs she made a great friend, Laurie, the now-owner of Looking Pretty Pet Grooming in Freeland. She saw the talent Laurie had with the dogs and learned a lot from her style and approach, Laura considers Laurie her mentor. What Laura (and Laurie) didn’t like about their jobs at the time was the focus on numbers—get the dogs in and out—she saw how stressed they were and that they did not thrive in those conditions.
Laura started grooming for a few friends, a Golden and a Bichon, it would take her hours because she only had a few pieces of equipment. After that, Laura continued to groom a bit on the side, but necessity meant she had to work other jobs. Laura quickly became a lifelong student of Google University, using the world wide web to learn techniques and approaches best-suited for each breed. And, you guessed it, thanks to these friends and a solid word-of-mouth advertising she was able to take the plunge and make grooming her full-time gig. Those two dogs who served as her guinea pigs are still grooming clients, today (it goes a little quicker than it used to). Her unwavering belief that passion comes before a paycheck came true! Goose. Bumps. Laura is such an inspiration and, I don’t know about you, but that is the kind of passion I want when I surrender the care of my three children (yes, they are my children) to someone else.
Laura’s big goal is for her clients (the dogs) to have a stress-free experience. So much so, that she books extra time for new clients to get to know her (again, I mean the dogs). She wants you, the parents, to know they are safe in her care. She is not in it for the money, she’s in it because she loves to do this, and she loves animals. Her promise to them (and you) is that she devotes all her attention to the animal until they leave her care. Oh, and when they leave, they will have an adorable bow, flower or bandana as a memento.
Laura has had to turn away a few clients when the fit wasn’t right, but she will give it her all and even recounting the stories of bad attitudes, bites, horribly matted fur, etc. she still “feels like a jerk” when she must turn them away or tell the parents that she won’t be able to see them again. She gets a lot of tough clients because she is so patient. Laura does a little bit of boarding too but requires a pre-meet to make sure the animals will get along in her pack. Her family is on-board with this and loves to play with the dogs—grooms too. I guess it would be difficult if they didn’t because Laura currently works out of her home, using her kitchen sink and bathroom tub to wash and a mudroom to do the groom. Her big dream is to build a shop in their barn and you guys, it’s going to happen, I just know it!
A few points of wisdom Laura has learned and would love for puppy parents to appreciate too:
1. Start grooming right away, when they are puppies. If puppies are groomed, it’s less stressful for them as they grow. She even offers a “Face, Feet and Fanny” discount for puppies under one. This means she will wash their face (you know the tear stains) and will wash and groom their feet and fanny. This sets them up for success for full grooms as they get older.
2. Tell her what the finished product looks like. Is a light trim half an inch or 3-inches? Do you want your dog groomed like the standards suggest or do you have something else in mind?
3. Tell her what you are really bringing to her. “I just need a good brushing for Lassie.” Okay but, a “brushing” of a dog is not the same as a de-matting of a dog. The time commitment and charge would be vastly different so just be honest and Laura will be honest right back.
4. Parents are parents and dogs are a lot like kids; i.e., you should not be there so the dogs will let Laura do her thing.
5. Holiday time for dog groomers is just like hair stylists—everyone wants to look their very best for those family photos. AKA-she’s busy, so book early or if you don’t care about the family photos; if it’s just because you had time, book after the holiday.
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| Muffin |
Laura does everything from simple nail clipping to a full groom by appointment only Monday-Thursday and Saturdays. Like all of us, Laura loves the community and how they look out for each other. She is so grateful that people gave her a chance and is so thankful for the people she has. If you want to be one of Laura’s people, she would love to have awkward conversation with you and a deep relationship with your dog.
Contact Laura via Facebook or text at (989) 430-3420.
Pudgy Puppies Grooming is located at 1629 S. 4 3/4 Mile Road in Midland, Michigan.
Article and Photography by Joslyn Chulski
