ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn — When Anne Hendrickson and her kids took in a dog from a puppy mill in Missouri, the roughly 2-year-old cockapoo was sick with an ear infection and Giardia, a parasite.
"She was matted to the skin and like biting at it because it hurt her so bad," Hendrickson said.
Foster-based nonprofit Underdog Rescue MN facilitated the match.
"We call her Princess Peach although her name on the website is Felicity," Hendrickson explained.
It's been about a month not only since the princess moved in, but also her 2 puppies.
While all 3 have been getting cozy at home, Princess Peach stepped out solo on Sunday for some free professional care at Adore Dog Salon.
"Despite all that neglect, she still took such good care of her babies," Hendrickson said. "I'm glad today at Adore Salon she got to be the one taken care of for once."
Adore Dog Salon is just a few miles from the rescue organization's headquarters in St. Louis Park. Salon owner Isadora Foley says all groomers volunteered for the day, giving holiday-themed makeovers to almost a dozen dogs temporarily living in foster homes.
Holiday themed - because after baths, blowouts, fur-cuts and nail trims, the dogs also left with festive bandanas and red and green ribbon curls above their ears.
"This is our second time this year doing the donation grooming," Foley said, adding that they also did one last year.
She described the day as a team effort to try to get the dogs adopted more quickly.
"We thought now would be a perfect time, pre-holiday, to see if any of these pups could find their forever homes," she said. "It also helps to get them adopted because they're fresh and clean. You can see their beautiful faces."
Pet photographer Kirsten Eitreim has adopted 2 "Underdogs." She too volunteered her skills and time on Sunday, taking before and after photos to help update each dog's online profile.
"They come out of just a bath and a blow dry and they already look 10 times better and it's amazing," Eitreim said.
As for Peach, she left looking much more like a princess.
"And whoever gets her is going to get a really special, amazing dog," her foster said.
Foley says some of the dogs who came to the salon are on Underdog Rescue's website while others aren't yet. Currently, more than 80 adoptable dogs and puppies are listed online, as well as information on the adoption process.
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