Two decades ago, washing a dog was either a back-breaking battle in the bathtub, or a wet and wild experience with the hose. In other words, bathing your dog, especially the big, hairy ones, was messy business.
Then came self-service dog washes. Michael Shapiro, owner of Beauty for the Beast Pet Launderette, came across such a then-new establishment while traveling and was delighted with the idea. “At the time, I had a very furry Samoyed who needed a lot of bathing,” he recalls.
The September event roster traditionally boasts numerous Oktoberfest celebrations. A perennial favorite for animal lovers is DOGtoberfest, a street festival featuring live bands, brew, and the fun of Portland’s biggest dog wash, all in the streets around the Lucky Lab Brew Pub, at 915 SE Hawthorne in Portland. The fun runs 11am-5pm Saturday, Sept. 24; all proceeds benefit the DoveLewis Blood Bank, one of the largest volunteer-based blood banks in the nation.
Suds ‘Em Yourself of Eugene celebrates 17 years in business this month, and Spot congratulates owners Dan and Trish Cole for making it a community favorite (3rd Place winner in Spot’s 2011 Top Dog Awards for Dog Wash, and #1 Reader’s Choice for two years in the Register Guard).