The Good Life Mobile Dog Grooming

Dog Grooming on the Go

Mobile grooming makes it way through Rockland
By Maria Mirakaj

Does your dog shake at the idea of taking a bath? Does he clutch onto the ground with his nails as you enter the groomer’s shop? If so, The Good Life Mobile Dog Grooming truck may come to the rescue! The truck comes right up to your house, so no scary trips to the shop, just a walk out to the driveway.

About a year ago, Christine Lugo of Rockland County decided to shake things up in her life. After working for 11 years at a telecommunications company, It was time for a change.

“I didn’t enjoy what I was doing and I decided that I needed to do for the rest of my life what I was passionate about. I plotted a planed and cashed in my pension and bought one [mobile grooming truck]. And I have not had a minute to look back yet,” said Lugo. She went to and graduated from the New York School of Dog Grooming before buying the truck.

Prior to working in telecommunications, she was a hairdresser and manicurist for 20 years. Her friends and family knew she liked to be creative , so they weren’t too shocked with the change of careers, especially with her passion for animals.

“Most of them said go for it. You have nothing to lose, only to gain. My daughter kept saying, ‘really, grooming?’ Now she can’t believe how crazy it is. I’m busy every minute of the day.”

Instead of having a shop where she would have to hire help and have more rigid hours, she chose to go mobile. She can accommodate unusual schedules for her clients. She’s even been asked to go inside the house and take the dog out when clients are running late.

“It’s much more personable than owning a shop where you have to take multiple dogs and they all feed off that energy,” said Lugo. “They’re all a little nervous when they are going to get their bath. There’s a lot of noise. It’s not the scene I wanted to be in. I feel like when you do it one on one, you don’t turn the animals experience into a business.”

Grooming dogs, as one would imagine, is very different that hairdressing.

“My customers never peed on me! Nobody tried to bite me!” laughed Lugo. The Good Life Mobile Dog Grooming is ran and operated strictly by Lugo herself. She provides all the basic grooming services such as baths, nails, ears, haircuts, and more, but the way things are done are not like anywhere else. She provides whatever the breed needs or whatever the client requests. The dog is handled only by Lugo and only one dog at a time. She hand dries them and even makes homemade chicken liver treats for the dogs. Plus, they all go home with a goody bag!

“To me every single dog has a funny personality,” she said. “They do unexpected things and it doesn’t get any better than having someone so happy to see you every day with their tails wagging, regardless of what you have to do
to them.”

“It’s been a blessing. A big blessing,” Lugo said. “I feel like I’ve retired at 50 because I’m not working. People would think I’m working but I’m not. I’m taking care of animals all day so I don’t feel like I’m working. Like they say, do what you love and you never work a day in your life.”

As far a price, it depends on what the dog needs, not just on the dog’s size. Prices could be anywhere from $45 and up.

“It’s the best price that I think the client should pay. The dog gets taken care of from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail!” she said.

The Good Life Dog Grooming truck can be spotted around Rockland County, Bergen County and sometimes even in Westchester County. Look for the logo on the side of the van or call call 845-729-WOOF to talk to Christine Lugo today.