By MIKE MALTAIS
Ward Media Staff Reporter
BREWSTER – Every dog may – or may not – have his day. But every lucky dog has a special day when it schedules an appointment at the new Lucky Dog Grooming Spa now open for business at 105 Bridge Street in Brewster. Centrally located between grooming shops in Chelan to the south and Omak to the north, Lucky Dog is close for Brewster, Bridgeport, and Pateros clients.
Owners Marlee and Shawn McAfee double-teamed a small black and white Shih Tzu dog while being interviewed for this story. The Brewster transplants moved into the area in September 2022, found a spacious street-level space to lease on the corner of Main Street in the heart of the city, and opened the doors for business in July.
In October, the multi-talented Marlee finished painting the lettering for the new business sign, and Shawn, with the help of some friends, hung the shingle in one afternoon.
Marlee, who attended Maser’s Academy in Kenmore, is a skilled hand at pet grooming. She has spent the past three years working for All For Paws Chelan. His Brewster shop is currently open three days a week, and he will continue to help out in Chelan until early this year, when Lucky Dog Grooming will open five days a week.
The McAfees lived in Lake Stevens while their children attended and graduated from high school there. They then followed a period in Lynden before the couple bought property near Brewster and moved there. Both McAfee brothers own property near their parents. Jaelynn, 27, works at Ace Hardware in Brewster. Son, Griffin, 25, works at Les Schwab in Twisp. Marlee’s mother lives in Pateros. Dog owners themselves, the McAfees have two Great Danes and a Shih Tzu.
“Nails, bathing, grooming…we do it all,” says MacAfee, who estimates a typical session takes between one and two hours, including breaks for the pet during the season. of the process. He takes signs when intermissions help.
“You can feel it when they’re not happy,” MacAfee says of her canine clients. “You can feel the tension in their muscles and things like that. Mostly, they are just afraid.”
Shawn, who describes himself as “sort of retired” from the metal recycling business, also helps control and groom pets.
“I know when I get busy, I can’t be myself,” Marlee said.
Showing an obvious affinity for her canine clients, Marlee applies a pleasant and practical touch with some final snipping and trimming around the ears, eyes, and muzzle. By the time the owners arrived, their Shih Tzu looked ready for the dog show promenade.
Lucky Dog Grooming is located at 105 S. Bridge Street in Brewster. Call or text 425-466-4848, or email [email protected].
Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483, [email protected]
