BRIDGEPORT — Walking down Halsted or waiting at the bus stop across the street from the police station, you'll often hear them barking.
They’re some of the more than 2,000 dogs dropped off at Brooklyn’s Doggie Styles pet salon every year for grooming.
Open at 3203 S. Halsted since 2008, when owner Kelly Marusarz quit her job as manager of PetSmart after 14 years, the shop has built a reputation as the neighborhood’s reliable — and affordable — canine beauty bar.
On a recent rainy Tuesday, Marusarz brought out a rather squirmy, 7-month-old maltese-bichon named Bentley, an easily distracted pup with a penchant for slobbering over any face in licking distance.
Before Marusarz got to work with the brushes and scissors, Bentley sported an unruly 'do that might be called “The Einstein."
Though Brooklyn’s groomers were there to shape the mess of fuzzy locks atop Bentley’s head, the pup wouldn't sit still. Marusarz tried the matter-of-fact sweet-talking method first.
“Yes, you’re getting your haircut,” she said, like a mother talking to a small child unwilling to cooperate with that whole “getting dressed” thing. “You’re getting your face brushed. That’s the most important part: Making your face look good.
"I could make you look so cute — if you stay still.”
But no. Bentley’s eyes darted from one side of the room to the other, his tongue flapping out of his mouth, lapping at his groomer’s face.
Marusarz went along with the pooch’s kisses. She doesn’t mind. At home, she has four Yorkies — Carly, Reedus, Piper and CC — and she kisses them all.
“A lot of groomers won’t do it, because they’re germaphobes,” she said. “Me? I don’t care. ... I probably like animals more than people.”
Her part-time groomer Jessica Bowen, working on a distinguished-looking Schnauzer named Zsa-Zsa, likes kissing dogs too. “We just wash our face after,” she said.
“It’s funny,” Marusarz said. “They’ll be growling at me and I’ll still kiss them.”
In the seven years since she opened Brooklyn’s, named after her 10-year-old daughter, Marusarz has suffered a few bites on her mouth.
When Bentley’s haircut was finished, after all the sweet-talking and smooches, he was transformed into what could pass as a show dog in training.
Sitting in Marusarz’s arms, Bentley licked his stylist’s face again — likely in gratitude, even if it’s unknowing.
Bentley is small compared to other dogs that have visited Brooklyn’s over the years. Marusarz has welcomed a Great Dane, an Akita, several Burmese Mountain Dogs — and even a St. Bernard.
The groomers at Brookyln’s Doggie Styles said some dog names are more popular than others. The most common on the South Side are Gino, Mia, Vinnie, Bella, Gizmo and Snowball.
Grooming costs between $40 for toy-sized dogs like Bentley to $75 for the giants.
To schedule an appointment, call the shop at 312-225-0630.
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