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Designer dogs beg for Barrington’s Bonejour Grooming Salon
Bonejou's groomers Claire Dabrowski (from left), owner Cristy Blair and Madie Ceas take a break for a photo. They groom dogs and cats while also selling accessories and offering dog sitting and boarding services. | Joe Cyganowski-For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 19, 2013 10:16AM
BARRINGTON — Dozens of dog and cat breeds visit Barrington’s Bonejour Pet Grooming Salon, but owner Cristy Blair pointed out that an increasing number of her clients are designer dogs.
A designer dog is a cross between popular pure bred dogs like Labradors, poodles and golden retrievers.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of Labradoodles and goldendoodles,” said Blair, a certified groomer. “They love getting groomed.”
When they leave, the dogs walk out with fluffed coats and colored bows placed delicately above their ears.
“I’ve been taking my oldest one, Tuffy, for 11 years,” Barrington resident Kathy LaSusa said. “When they come in, they’re a little nervous, but Cristy is so good with them.”
LaSusa’s two bichon frises, Tuffy and Buttons, both visit Bonejour for monthly groomings.
Blair said many of her four-legged clients come in for regular upkeep, but her busiest days are always around any holiday.
The grooming process, Blair said, takes an average of three to four hours, starting with an attendant prepping the dog by brushing and removing any hair mats. Bathing and drying, both done by hand, follows before the clipping process begins.
Bonejour also offers teeth brushing, facial scrubs, nail clippings and shedding treatments.
“We have a peppermint massage that is very popular,” she said.
Blair said the dogs enjoy the grooming experience.
Barrington Hills resident Joyce Kerr and her Shih Tzu Sammy are longtime Bonejour customers.
“I’ve been taking my dog Sammy there for nine and a half years,” said Kerr. “My dog loves going there. They have a really good oatmeal shampoo that I usually request.”
Clients can leave their dog or cat at the salon all day, but Bonejour also offers an express groom. Customers also are allowed to bathe and dry their animals themselves for a reduced price.
“We also let people come in and wash and dry their dogs themselves,” Blair said.
Other Bonejour services include skunk treatments when dogs are sprayed. Blair said the stinky situation happens frequently.
“We have a lot of products that are used to neutralize the enzymes,” she said.
Blair, who also has experience in grooming show dogs, said the salon’s shampoos and other grooming products are all show quality.
“She always takes time because my one dog is kind of apprehensive,” said Barrington resident Terry O’Dea, who brings her two goldendoodles to Bonejour. “She will have it so they’re together because they don’t like to be separated.”
But Blair, who employs four certified groomers, said the salon’s No. 1 priority is safety. All entryways to the shop and the grooming area have double doors for security.
Before opening Bonejour 15 years ago at 109 W. Northwest Highway in Barrington, Blair owned a pet salon in Schaumburg.
“I’ve always been a huge animal lover,” she said. “My dream is to open a kennel for a spa suite.”
For more information, visit www.bonejourpetgrooming.com.
