Micheal Washington is a successful dog groomer in Chicago, Illinois. A self-professed perfectionist, he is a “dog-lover before a dog-groomer”. Micheal sacrificed his salary and reputation as a successful corporate businessman to follow his dream and it all paid off when he opened his own grooming salon The Bark of the Town Pet Groomery last year.
Micheal was the first groomer to be eliminated in Groomer Has It’s second season. In an interview with Celebrity Dog Watcher, this is what Micheal had to say about the competition and his fellow groomers.
CDW: Hi Micheal! We’re so glad Groomer Has It is back on, we love it!
We’re sorry you were “snipped” from the show so quickly, were you surprised you were the one to go?
MC:Â Â Of course I was surprised. Â I was “snipped” for something I didn’t do. Â On the same note I was happy to be going home.
CDW: Did you realize at the time that the brush burn on the poodle was going to be the determining reason for your being ousted?
MC:Â No, because I should not not have been the one sent home for the brush burn. Â It was kinda shocking that the judges allowed Jessica stay. Â Why would they give her the opportunity to injure another dog?
CDW: Who do you think, from the groomers remaining are the strongest and weakest from what you’ve witnessed?
MC: I KNOW Lisa is the strongest and I’d have to think Marko is the weakest.  I only say that because I got the impression that he is not in for the love the of the animals, but for the revenue they can generate.
CDW: Did you think the grooming challenges were a valid way to determine your worthiness to be in the competition?
MC:Â Not at all. Â I will go out limb and say of the 12…9 had never done creative grooming and never will…….again.
CDW: Were you surprised in any way about the level of competitiveness in the competition?
MC:Â Not really. Â Some of the contestants REALLY needed the prizes. Â If I’d won, at the time, I had NO IDEA what I was going to do with a Mobile Grooming Van.
CDW: Do you really believe that Krista didn’t do anything during the Quick Sniff St. Bernard challenge?
MC:Â Yes and no. Â She did not do much in the way of grooming, but sometimes it really helps to have someone to “dogsit” while you get a job done.
CDW: Do you think you were ultimately responsible for the brush burn and do you think it was appropriate that you were cut, instead of Jessica?
MC:Â How could I be responsible for something I didn’t do?
CDW: What would you have done differently to change the outcome of the challenges?
MC:Â I would have not allowed Jessica the opportunity to work unsupervised.
CDW: Who do you hope will win?
MC:Â Â The person who not is not only a great groomer, but the person that actually deserves to win. Â There is SO much more than clipper and scissors that goes into being a great groomer.
CDW: Do you have your own dog or any pets at home? Can you tell us about your pet(s) and send us a picture, we’d love to add it to the interview when we post it.
MC:Â Yes, I own a toy poodle named Lola. Â She is 3 years old and she has the most amazing personality. Â Not only is she byfar the best groomed dog in the city of Chicago…she it truly the “House Diva” of The Bark of the Town!
Micheal C. Washington
Celebrity Dog Watcher would like to thank Micheal for his time and his candid answers. Good luck to you!
