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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Canines get pampering at A Waggin’ Tail


Teri Kofalk, owner of A Waggin' Tail, a new pet grooming parlor in the Rathdrum/Twin Lakes area, carefully gives Mandi, a 12-week old miniature schnauzer, her first hair cut. She took her time with the tiny, four-pound dog, taking care Mandie stayed calm and relaxed throughout the process. Photo by Mary Jane Honegger
 (Photo by Mary Jane Honegger / The Spokesman-Review)
Mary Jane Honegger The Spokesman-Review

Teri Kofalk, a veteran dog groomer, and her mother, Diane Graves, recently opened A Waggin’ Tail Pet Grooming business in the Rathdrum/Twin Lakes area. Between short naps, and one little “oopsie,” Mandie, a miniature schnauzer, stood quietly and let Kofalk give her a big-doggie cut. “She’s only 12 weeks old,” said Kofalk, expertly clipping around the tiny dog’s face, “and she’s doing really well for her first time.” Kofalk should know – she has been grooming dogs for more than 15 years.

Both she and her mother live in Spirit Lake and decided to open the doggie beauty parlor because of their affection for dogs. “I am definitely a dog person,” said Kofalk. “I have been raising them for 17 years and have nine dogs of my own.” She found she missed working with animals after she closed a Sandpoint feed store/grooming business she owned, and eventually decided to return to what she loves to do – working with animals. “I love dogs. They are the best clients because they are always happy and full of love,” she said.

A Waggin’ Tail offers a full pet-styling service, according to Kofalk. “We will bathe and groom your dog and take care of nails, ears and all the little extras; or your pet can get a full groom, which includes a cut and style.” While Kofalk does all the grooming, her mother helps make her job easier. “Mom does toenails and ears and provides an extra set of hands. She helps with bathing and makes all the appointments.”

Kofalk knows it will take a time for folks in the area to learn to trust she is a groomer who will take good care of their animals, but said business has been picking up steadily since the grooming parlor opened about seven weeks ago. “We are already picking up some repeat business, people who make grooming appointments on a regular basis,” said Kofalk, as she continued clipping Mandie. “We are getting quite a few customers from Twin Lakes Village, Spirit Lake and Rathdrum. We’re even getting some from Athol.”

Business was good last Saturday. Before she began working on Mandie, Kofalk had styled Willie and Skippy, a salt-and-pepper team of miniature poodles and a “skunky” Lab named Tucker. When asked why she called him skunky, she said, “Because he got skunked. We used our secret skunk recipe so he could go home and live in a house. Otherwise, he was not going to be allowed in the house.” Turns out, Tucker took four of the special skunk “tubbies” before he was ready to go home.

Kofalk says her biggest challenge since she opened her new shop was a Wheaton terrier named Walter. The big dog was brought in with hair matted to his skin. “I spent seven hours on him and gave him a terrier cut. When he left he looked phenomenal. In fact,” she added, “he was my biggest transformation dog – my best doggie makeover.”

In addition to doggie makeovers, customers will find pet supplies and lines of natural foods and treats for their animals, including a unique line of Harley-Davidson pet wear. Kofalk suggests grain-free diets for healthy cats and dogs. “Your dog or cat will survive on grocery store, corn-based food, which is only 20 percent digestible, but they will be healthy on a meat-based food, which is 90 percent digestible,” she said. “Your animals will be healthier because they are absorbing all those vitamins and nutrients straight from that meat.” The food is available in both dry and canned varieties, including bison, trout, salmon and venison.