For premium support please call:
For premium support please call:
GLENVIEW, Ill. (WGN) — More than 63 million households in the United States are home to dogs, which makes the new year a particularly ruff time for those who make sure our four-legged friends look their spiffiest.
Fur Babies owner Kelly Blatt has been up to her ears in dogs as the New Years season unfolds.
“So, we have 17 haircuts … 27 dogs that are getting bath and tidies,” Blatt said as she checked her daily appointment book Wednesday. Fur Babies hasn’t had a blank slot for an appointment since November.
“All together today, we have 44 dogs,” Blatt said.
All the work has left Blatt — a woman who loves all things furry — pretty dog-gone tired (pun intended).
Starts early, ends early, and a lot of fun in between: Chicago friends find success with dance party for women
In all, Blatt and her team of dog stylists will overhaul the looks of more than 500 dogs in a matter of weeks.
“We’re sometimes [here] as late as eight o’clock at night trying to get things done,” Blatt said. “It’s crazy and it’s fun.”
At the peak of business hours, clients take over the front of the shop, with every drying cage, table and tub filled with pups. Yet, throughout what could equate to organized chaos at times, Blatt still manages to remember each furry, four-legged friend by their name.
“Hi Enzo. Everybody is scared of you but you’re a big buluga,” Blatt said, moving in and out amongst a litany of dogs. “Hold on Mango … Yes, that is Sophie … Duke, you go too.”
It’s not because she sees a list of appointments that says Winnie, Paisley or Nika on any given day’s docket of doggo to-do’s, but because she knows and loves each one of their drooly, wet-nosed faces.
Even when they come in looking a little rough.
“A project dog,” Blatt said with a smile, surveying one of her clients. “Hasn’t seen a brush in a while, maybe a lot of undercoat.”
Chicago subway musicians face challenges but keep performing for their love of music
In Blatt’s eyes, every fur baby deserves a fresh start, and for a busy shop owner, that means a sparse appointment calendar to start the new year.
“Aren’t you so gorgeous? Put a scarf on you and send you home for the holidays,” Blatt said. “Are you ready? Let’s go.”
For more information on Fur Babies, visit their business page on Facebook.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Advertisement
Advertisement
AOL
AOL
AOL
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
