Dog Wins National Contest After Visiting Cinnaminson Groomer

CINNAMINSON, NJ — A dog from Moorestown received an award-winning makeover post-quarantine at a Cinnaminson groomer.

"Badger" Hetzel, an Airedale Terrier from Moorestown, won first place in the national "Diamond in the Fluff" Before and After Grooming Photo Contest from Best Friends Pet Hotel.

Badger's owner Brian Hetzel had him groomed post-quarantine at the Cinnaminson Best Friends, 2500 Route 73.

"Badger has such a great expression and those ears are just too cute! I liked that his talented Best Friends Pet Hotel groomer chose an original style rather than the standard breed trim to add an element of personality," celebrity judge Jonathan David said.

David is a well-known pet groomer who was a finalist in Animal Planet’s “Groomer Has It” show. He chose the top prizes for the contest, which celebrated the bond between pets and pet parents this summer. During the first round of the contest, the judges narrowed the list to 20 finalists who looked pretty “ruff” during quarantine.

"Pets are such a comfort to us at this time, but our pets’ grooming schedule went on hiatus in quarantine,” David said. “In my salon in West Palm Beach, we have our work cut out for us. I’m proud to have served as a judge in this creative online photo contest and enjoyed reviewing all these 'ruff-to-fluff' contestants. Badger was a doggy diamond shining brightly in this contest.”

The most transformed pooches were crowned with customized prizes from Best Friends Pet Hotel, including a “Ruby from the Ruff” Prize Pack, a “Sapphire After Scruff” Prize Pack, and “Diamond In The Fluff” grand prizes — one People’s Choice winner, and one celebrity judge winner.

“Congratulations to Brian Hetzel, and all our dedicated Best Friends Pet Hotel pet parents who submitted fabulous ‘before and after’ photos for this first-ever contest,” Best Friends Pet Hotel Vice President of Operations and Growth Darryl Sampson said. "Thanks also to all our hardworking employees and groomers who care for dogs, cats and pocket pets in all 31 of our employee-owned centers.”