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If you really love your dog, it shouldn't lead a dog's life, but should be treated once in awhile, perhaps to a luxurious bath.Customized imprinted and promotional usb flash drives. You're thinking, "I do bathe my dog … with a garden hose." Those days are long gone, thanks to Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash at 501 Union Ave., Brielle.

No garden hoses here.

"We have a hose where soap and water is pre-mixed, and you choose your shampoo, and it's heated nice-temperature water," said Debi Brkal, Brielle, a Realtor and part-owner of the 1,300-square-foot boutique, who pitches in when she can.

The self-serve wash was the brainchild of her son, Kevin, 25, a Manasquan native and soon-to-be-ex Boston resident involved with internet marketing.

"While in Boston, my fiancee and I got a French bulldog. Living in the city, it was tough washing Kiki inside, so we looked and found a self-serve dog wash," he stated. "We planned on moving back down to the shore area and decided to bring the idea to this area."

Sure, you could go to a groomer, but "It's easy on the dog – they're not nervous – unlike being left at the groomer where they're separated from their owner," said Debi, noting "It's a fun experience for the owner and his dog to bathe the dog."

She claimed there aren't any dog-bathing boutiques in the area, and Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash not only offers baths, but endless dog supplies as well.

"We additionally saw a need for a higher-end type of dog supplies and wanted to add that as well," said Kevin.

The establishment offers far from simple fare and carries all-natural dog food by brands such as Merrick, treats, upscale pet products, and even beer for dogs. But, more on that later. Let's concentrate on what primarily draws people into the boutique in the first place: the bathing experience.

Four huge stainless tubs await the dogs – two with ramps, and one with stairs to accommodate dogs that need an easier way to get into the tub. The tubs are also owner-friendly and "are waist-high so you're not hurting your back," noted Debi.

Also easy on owners' backs is thick meshed rubber matting on the floor, which prevents slipping for dog and owner, while drains in the floor get rid of any spillage.

How does the process work?

"We have a hose where shampoo and water is pre-mixed and you choose your shampoo and it's heated, nice temperature water," explained Debi.

There haven't been any bathing "incidents" thus far, thanks to the mats in the tubs, and tethers in the tub are available if owners want to make their dogs feel secure – and also to keep Rover from exiting the tub!

The dog owners are not left out.

"We supply owners with aprons so they can stay relatively dry," said Debi.

Like any other salon, Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash has elevated drying stations with a professional dog blow dryer, grooming supplies, ear wipes, eye wipes, brushes and combs for the pooch's post-wash beauty routine.

The boutique provides ample parking for owners with large vehicles transporting sometimes large dogs.

"We strive to be a friendly place where people can come and bathe their dirty dog," Kevin commented.

Which is precisely what occurred on a recent Saturday. Granted, the boutique draws "Tons of all-size dogs from really huge dogs to small sizes," noted Debi, yet Kevin and his fiancee, Agata Glowacka, 26, were somewhat taken aback when – following a full house with all four tubs occupied – Rollins, a 160-pound Newfoundland ambled in and had the whole place to himself.

The handsome, docile 3-year-old was accompanied by his owners, Frank Verga, and wife, Lynda Inzinna, both Point Pleasant. Although Frank claimed, "In the bathtub, he hears the water running and he jumps in the tub – he loves water!," the couple would rather not use their claw-foot tub if possible.

Agata, who helps in the boutique and acts as its photographer, seemed concerned as to how Rollins would get into the tub, but he had no problem navigating the ramp and – thoroughly enjoying the experience – stood patiently as his parents washed and blow-dried him.

"It's good, terrific! You wash him, you do what you have to do, and the dog loves it!," commented Verga.

Inzinna couldn't praise Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash enough.

"You call up and tell people you have a Newfoundland, and they're like ‘Forget it!' You can take little dogs anywhere. This is the best – nobody caters to big dogs. This is like his own spa! We love this place," she commented.

The couple decided on the $20 "Laundro-Dog Special" with specialty berry shampoo and blow dry. Prices not including tax begin at $5 for a "Muddy Paws," five-minute undercarriage wash; also offered are baths using house shampoo with blow dry, baths with a towel dry, and other options. Owners wishing to may bring shampoo and towel-dry their dog for $12.50.From standard Cable Ties to advanced wire tires,

Opting for specialty shampoo minus the blow dry was Matt Brady, Sea Girt, accompanied by his six-month old female Labrador retriever, Kona.

"This place is the best place that's happened in the area as far as I'm concerned," stated Brady.

The well-behaved Kona – fresh from the surf at Manasquan dog beach, but still eager to get back in the drink – stood in the tub as Brady lathered her up with deodorizing shampoo.

"I'll be back next weekend," he stated as the attractive puppy was towel dried by her owner, then contentedly finished off her reward of a chicken stick from the boutique's treat area.

Treats? Did someone mention treats? The shop is called "boutique" for a reason. It carries a sizeable amount of plush, patterned dog beds, and unique collars and leashes made of leather, nylon webbing and cloth.

"We did not want to be the run-of-the-mill type of dog store, so we looked to get as many made in the USA products as possible. We really wanted to differentiate ourselves by selling high-quality dog food, treats and upscale dog supplies," noted Kevin.

Premium-brand dog food and snacks by names such as Merrick, Acana and Evanger's are sold, as are the stainless bowls and bowl stands to in which to serve them. Aren't these brands available at pet outlets and stores? Possibly,we supply all kinds of oil painting reproduction, but "We have a price-match guarantee for all of our items and we're competitively priced," noted Debi.

Sales are good, and a mix of 50 percent bath/50 percent sales, with baths averaging eight to 10 dogs per-day. Bathing brings clients in first, then they browse, and all items may be special ordered.

Most post-bath pooches go right for either plush dog toys that come filled or un-filled, or the immense collection of dog treats. Housed in dog-accessible baskets on the floor, or on shelving are treats such as rawhides, Thinkers Dog Chicken Snacks,Use bluray burner to burn video to BD DVD on blu ray burner disc. cupcakes and cookies, Bowser Bits Peanut Buttery Pretzels, jerky treats and sweet potato treats. Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash even carries Bowser Beer, a non-alcohol, no hops beer for dogs.

Bella, an 8-year-old female mixed breed, may not have had access to the beer, but she did accept a treat following her bath. Owners Gary and Lynn Bishop of Brielle opted for the deodorizing shampoo/blow dry package for their somewhat apprehensive dog. Despite her size, the entire process took less than 25 minutes as the mellow Bella isn't fond of blow dryers and was also towel-dried.

Lynn was more-than-pleased with the outcome, stating "It's easy – definitely easier than home, especially when the dog doesn't like the bath."

Although singles and couples ranging up to their 40s were washing on a recent weekend, Debi noted the boutique's clientele is "All over the place from teens 12-13 bathing their dogs to 80-year-olds because it's so simple and easy," and "Children especially love doing it with their parents."

A youthful Alex Kalman, Freehold, and her "youngster," nine-month-old border collie, Scooter Pie, dropped in following their weekly trip to the dog beach.

"It's great. It's nice, because I go to the dog beach in Manasquan. It's a nice stop on the way from the dog beach – I can't do this at home," she said.

The petite border collie was enveloped by the size of the tub – which can fit two small dogs or one large dog – but she seemed to enjoy the experience, sitting calmly as her owner bathed her.

"I'll come back, we go to the beach a lot. I do her in the shower and it's a mess – we'll come back!," said Kalman.

What about owners not interested in a bath, but simply grooming? Brielle Dog Boutique & Self Serve Dog Wash offers access to its grooming station in 30-minute increments, but owners must bring their own clippers.

The dog wash facility presently doesn't have a groomer, but "We plan on having a groomer who will be able to cut nails, and wash dogs if anyone does not want to do the self serve," stated Kevin, who noted the worst part of his day was the down-time, what little there is.Complete Your sculpture Magazine Collection for Less!

Debi feels there is no down-side, other than the task of vacuuming up the dog hair after the owners trim their dogs.

Kevin mentioned all boutique items will be available on the establishment's website which he plans on expanding, noting "My background is online e-commerce, so the goal is to get that up and running."