I took my cat into Mary's about two years ago, when I was living in that neighborhood. The shop was pretty dirty, dingy, and smelly, but Mary seemed nice enough. She told me she was a "pet wisperer"--I wasn't sure of what to make of that, but my cat seemed calm with her, so I left him there to have his belly shaved (something he has to have done every few months to prevent matting). Anyway, after the first visit, I was happy with how things had gone, so I brought Kitty back the next year to have his belly shaved again. This time, Mary was out for Christmas vacation, so her son and an assistant were running the shop. First they showed me how they'd restrain my cat--a hood over his entire face and a lead to hold him in place by the collar. I don't know why this wasn't a red flag to me, and I still feel awful for leaving him there after I saw this. I just thought that this was standard procedure since cats can be more unruly. I've since found out that that practice is not necessary and is obviously cruel. The two groomers seemed nervous and not totally capable--again, I kick myself for leaving my cat in their care for the six hours he was there. When I returned to pick him up, my cat's belly was so spotty, it looked like a child took scissors to his fur. And all this cost nearly $50. Needless to say, I've NEVER returned here. I wouldn't risk my kitty's safety and well-being again at Mary's. I recommend anyone reading this doesn't take that chance either.

I can't tell you how much I respect and love Mary's Pet Grooming. I adopted a Welsh Terrier several years ago and started using another grooming service. My dog hated going there. I found Mary and Boomer loves going to Mary's. He is happy to go to the shop and always comes home with a perfect cut. I also take my cat and a newly adopted Welsh Terrier. All three of my pets love Mary. I highly recommend her to all my friends and family.

He fails to tell you that this was the first time this dog was in the shop since his other dog died. This dog was depressed and missing his brother. We have never tranquilized a dog in our shop. He used our services for over a year according to my records,nine groomings. I did forget to use the shampoo the first time he brought it with him and when he came to pick up I realized I had forgotten to use it and ask him to give me twenty minutes and I would bath him again with the shampoo. He refused. So the next day he called and I rewashed the dog with the shampoo. The dog has allergies, as a lot of dogs do now. Just like people in St. Louis. His dog is not itching because of something we did. We use one of the best Aloe shampoos on the market. My shop is clean and nicely painted. For the most part the shop doesn't smell bad but we are washing dirty dogs. It's eclectic like other businesses in these old buildings in St. Louis. The special made dog sling and hydrolic lift is the best purchase I ever made. We are able to clip nails on dogs who have never been able to have their nails clipped. Vets send their elderly clients to us to be put in the sling. Dogs love it. Some dogs bite and we do have to muzzle them. Are they saying that I should let them bite me? It is sad that what people dont understand they consider bad. I have a receptionist who checks out the dogs and makes appointments so he did not wait 15 minutes. I greeted him when he came in as I do everyone. We do have to keep the dogs in cages so they don't hurt each other. They are not weeing on each other, I wouldn't be in business for eighteen years if I were sending dogs home with wee on them. We offer them water but most dogs wont drink in the shop. We take them out if they are with us all day while mom is at work. Most dogs are left at home without going out longer than they are in the shop. I do this because I love my furry friends. I'm sorry they had a bad day. I am not a monster. Thanks Mary

On the woman who wrote the revue about her dog going home unfinished. The Receptionist/Bather reminded me who this was. Let me explain something that some people don't take into consideration when they adopt a rescue dog or get a puppy. Puppies don't know how to be groomed. They have to be trained just like potty breaking or walking on a leash. They need to be started as soon as they have their second set of shots. We give a discounted puppy price so you can bring them in once a month to be trained. With that said, we explained that to this woman. She adopted the puppy at seven months old. She is a rescue. She wasn't trained as a puppy. This was the second time she was in. she is afraid of everything, the water, the clipper, the dryer. I told her the first time she needed to bring her in once a month so she gets used to being groomed. She didn't make an appointment then and it had been a couple months since we saw the puppy again. It was Good Friday. Holidays are busy. Her appointment was for 9:00 and she didn't show up until 10:30. She said that she told me that she needed her out at 3:00 but we always write that on the sign in sheet and it wasn't written. As before I could barely touch her with the clipper, water or dryer. She had a rough clip and bath and then she had to dry in a cage which takes a lot longer. If we cannot use the dryer on a dog the clip is not going to look smooth and neat. Just before three she shows up for the puppy. She wasn't finished. She got mad and said she had to pick her neice up at school. I ask her if she could pick up her neice and come back for her. She said no, give me my dog, so she did go home unfinished and I ask her to bring her back the next day to finish her and she agreed. Rescue dogs are a challenge, you cannot rush or force them. They have to be handled gently. Of course she is going to go home and hide. She had a bad start and she isn't doing what it takes to help her. I feel sorry for the puppy

I have been taking my little spaneil to Mary's for 15 years. He had had bad experiences at other shops and Mary made him feel right at home. In fact he gets exited to go when I tell him that it is time. His cut is always emaculate and he is happy when he is there. I have no idea what these other people are talking about. I know that she employs some of the latest techiniqes and has an invalid sling for older dogs who have trouble standing up (like my baby) Her shop is a small neighborhood shop and if you feel you need a Paris Hilton doggie day spa maybe you would be better off in West County. I shall contine to take my pets to Mary's as she knows what she is doing and she is reasonalbe in price. My vet recomended her and I now have 3 that gladly go to visit "Aunt Mary" on a regular basis.