24/11/2023
It’s been two and a half years since Dogs 4 Eve & Meg opened its doors at 163-165 Magill Rd, but owner Meg Patterson is actually continuing a legacy that stretches back more than 60 years to when her mentor began working in Adelaide’s first dog salon as a 21-year-old.
“Back then, the concept of being kind to animals instead of using force was a bit of an obscure concept and Eve wanted to change that,” says Patterson. “So when she had learned everything that she could, she started opening up her own businesses where she practised gentle handling and force free, no sedation work.”
Though Eve is now retired after 59 years in the industry, the pair worked together for almost a decade before Meg opened her own business and she humbly insists, “I learned everything that I know about dog grooming from her.”
The most important thing, she says, is to recognise that dogs have just as many fears and anxieties as humans. “So if you're forcing them to do something really scary without giving them time to adjust, you're creating a stressful environment for an animal that is meant to be considered a family member.”
It’s why her approach is to recognise that each dog has individual needs, a philosophy that applies to every breed from Chihuahuas to Newfoundlands. And while some salons will speed things up when dogs are uncomfortable with the cleaning process in an attempt to get it over and done with, Meg will do the opposite and slow down so they’ve got plenty of time to relax.
This force-free approach takes time – a bath and trim will last about four hours – but it ensures that every dog has an enjoyable experience when they visit the salon. And part of creating a positive environment is building in some down time between treatments, which can mean resting alone or enjoying a pat and a cuddle depending on the dog’s needs.
Patterson also offers a doggy daycare service for those customers who can’t make it back straight away, which provides the perfect opportunity to get all your Christmas shopping done in one hit. And because she has partnered with a pet photographer and a local business making reversible harnesses and bandanas, you can even reward your pooch with a treat when you come to pick it up.
Dogs 4 Eve & Meg will have extended trading hours in the lead up to Christmas. In addition to operating from Tuesday to Friday, she will open on two Saturdays and two Mondays in December, as well as several evenings to coincide with late night shopping.
