A Little About Troy
I started grooming when I was about 25 years old. I worked a lot of different jobs, but didn't find the right one for me. Animals were my big joy in life. As a small child, I wanted to grow up to be a horse trainer, working with Palomino quarter horses. I loved horses. I decided if I ended up working in a zoo that would be cool. too. I never worked in a zoo, but over the years my home became one, providing a home to all kinds of feathered, furry, scaly, slithering and swimming friends.
My friend Clay asked me if I would be interested in working in his kennel and going on the road with him to dog shows. I said, "Yes. I'll give that a try," but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I worked hard at Applewood Kennels and was loving it, working with up to 80 or so dogs. Clay, at that time, was one of the most prominent dog handlers in the USA. He showed dog for stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Bill Cosby. If you had money and wanted to make a champion out of your dog or bitch, you took them to Clay.
I really enjoyed working with Mr. Cosby's dogs at the shows and at the kennel. I spent a lot of time watching the groomers working. I loved it. I saw the skill that went in the work. I was so intrigued. One day I was watching the groomers through the window. Clay suggested I help him work on a Buvier des Flandres that was on the grooming table. A Buvier is a large black herding dog. He put me on one side of the dog and another guy on the other side of the dog.
Clay then took his scissors and proceeded to cut some of the dog's hair on both side. He told us both to make it even. That was my first hair-cutting experience. He came back in 30 minutes and looked at both sides. He sent the other guy back out to the kennel to work and had me finish the other side. Then, he told me if I worked hard, I might become a pretty good groomer in three years or so. Clay doesn’t hand out complements freely so I knew he was impressed with me. I spent the next two years learning from some of the best in the business groomers from Seattle to Houston. In those years, I was like a sponge, absorbing all the knowledge I could. I lived and breathed dogs.
Here at A Family Affair we are about change. We are not a grooming shop. We are a cage-free pet grooming studio. Your pet's grooming will take less then two hours. We are pet activists. We are about community involvement. We are are about staying teachable, love and kindness, and unity and service. We are about GOD: Good Orderly Direction. We are about laughing and playing. So, as a pet owner, I invite you all the pet groomers to come in, pull up a chair and join me.
I hope this website has encouraged you to consider bringing your pets to me, so I can bring out the fullest potential in your pet’s appearance and health. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. I look forward to doing business with you and meeting your “kids.” I take pride in your pet’s appearance because I know you do.
Have a blessed day,
Your Pet Groomer,
Troy Alwood