Stacey Butler moves slowly and carefully, trying not to startle her latest client — a dog named Bear — as she holds back tears.
Bear was seized by the SPCA a few years ago after being brutally abused. He was visiting Butler’s recently-opened grooming business Tuesday for dogs with special needs.
“They are pretty sure his tail has been badly burnt,” Butler said. “His immune system is really shot, so just about every square inch of his body has scabs and stuff like that so it’s gonna be a long process today.”
Butler’s shop is called For the Love of Rosco –named after her own dog.
She almost had to put Rosco down a few years ago due to severe hip dysplasia. He’s since had both hips removed.
The community rallied around Rosco, even donating a pool for his rehab, but once he learned to walk again Butler struggled find a groomer willing to work with him.
“After he was turned away by a couple of grooming shops, that’s when I decided that I wanted to open by own shop, and I do all dogs, but I wanted to cater to dogs with special needs,” she said.
She says this is her opportunity to pay it forward to other pet owners after so many people rallied around her own dog.
“I am at peace this morning because I know he is in good hands, cause he was actually taking treats this morning and he never takes treats from anyone,” said Bear’s owner, Isabelle Brown.