On our recent trip to Portland, we saw an ad for pet accoutie store called Bark'n Roll. Now, normally, these stores are filled with the kind of things that pet lovers find adorably indespensible, and I call crap. But, this ad was offering something special. Something that would, I think, truly justify a trip to their little store.
A self-service dog wash.
That's right, for only $12, you come in, choose your favorite doggie shampoo, outfit yourself with smocks, and you and your pooch head back into their state-of-the-art dog wash facility. Now, $12 might sound a little steep for the privilege of washing one's own dog, but think about it. Besides the bins at waist height, and those nice little squirty guns like you have in your kitchen sink, and a little ramp so Poochie doesn't have to suffer the indignity of being lifted into the sink, you don't have to clean your bathroom afterwards. You don't have to worry about puppy getting out of the bathroom, and shaking dry all over the house. That sounds well worth $12 to me.
Appparently, it appeals to other people as well. The Bark'n Roll website makes frequent mention of it being "Portland's original self-service dog wash". Should've trademarked the idea.
Also, Mary, take note. Steven came up with a new career opportunity for Z-dog. Puppy Matchmaker! Why do people buy dogs at pet stores and puppy mills? They don't know what the right kind of dog is for them, so they want to see a lot of choices. If you know you're looking for a poodle or a rhodesian ridgeback, you know to find a reputable breeder, yadda yadda yadda.
But what if you don't know what kind of dog is right for you? You need a puppy matchmaker. She comes to your house, interviews you (and your other pets), maybe brings a "test dog" with her, so she can see how you react to dogs. Then, she presents you with pictures and profiles of 10 dogs that she thinks would be right for your family. You can meet up to 3 of them (more for an additional fee.) She will have a book full of success stories, where you realize, flipping through, that it's true what they say about pets looking like their owners, and you start wondering what your love of white fluffy dogs says about you. The New York Times writes a profile about the service. Your pet owner buddies stop judging you on the breed you picked, and start asking what matchmaker you used. There is totally a market for this service.