3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Sandra Bonom from the Hairy Barker Inn & Spa

Patch partner Sandra Bonom of The Hairy Barker Inn & Spa told us why it's important to use earthly-friendly projects in dog grooming and recommended three great books everyone should check out.

Patch: The Hairy Barker Inn & Spa is a cage-free grooming salon that uses earth-friendly products. Why was it important to you to create this type of environment?

Sandra Bonom: I wanted the environment to be pleasant for the dogs and humans. To that end, I chose to eliminate the noisy traditional cold and noisy metal bath tubs and cages usually found in grooming shops. Earth-friendly products are simply the only acceptable way to respect the planet we live on.

Patch: If you had to recommend three books, what would they be and why?

Sandra Bonom: "A Dog's Purpose," "The Art of Racing in the Rain" and "The Dog Who Danced." Each of these books show life from the dog's point of view and how life is completely changed by the dog in your life.

Patch: You must have some interesting stories from spending so much time with dogs. Could you tell us about a recent visit from a dog that was particularly memorable?

Sandra Bonom: Everyday is memorable in this business. The four legged "fur-iends" come to us and offer free love. It is always rewarding to work with a dog who starts out timid and biting…but after a few visits, comes in wagging and giving kisses.

Patch: When did you first become interested in helping dogs?

Sandra Bonom: I have loved dogs all my life and began grooming my own cocker spaniel, Sniffs Barney about 25 years ago. I went on from there to grooming my friends' dogs and then driving to work one day, I decided to make a life altering change and enrolled in grooming school. Since graduating The Connecticut School of Dog Grooming, I have attended many grooming seminars and taken countless classes to improve my grooming skills and add to my canine knowledge base.

Patch: What’s your favorite thing about Darien in the fall?

Sandra Bonom: The town is teeming with people. The bright skies and brisk temperatures have everybody in town active and happy.

Patch: What’s your definition of success?

Sandra Bonom: Happy dogs and happy pet parents.

Patch: Do you have dogs at your home as well?

Sandra Bonom: I always have dogs in my home. Right now I have only one, but I have had up to three dogs at one time in my life.

Patch: What questions should people ask themselves when looking for a quality dog groomer?

Sandra Bonom: Will this person be kind and gentle with my pet? Does this groomer have experience with many different types of dogs?

Patch: How can readers contact you and learn more about The Hairy Barker Inn & Spa?

Sandra Bonom: Your readers can reach out to The Hairy Barker by telephone 203 655 BARK (2275), stop in at 21 Tokeneke Rd. or email me at Thehairybarker@gmail.com.