My Diva Dog

Monet St. Louis

Summer Company - 2007

 My Diva Dog Fashion Show at myFM Homeshow 2010. 

"My Diva Dog" began when I was 13-years-old. I had just gotten my first dog ever. A Yorkshire Terrier named Misty. My problem was, that she was so tiny I never could find clothes for her, and the ones that did fit her, were horrible quality! So using my mom's sewing machine, and the sewing skills that I was taught at a young age by my mother, I started to design and sew clothes for my dog.

Now most people would stop there - but not me! No, I decided that this would make a great business. I started with a couple of craft shows a year, and was content…until I found out about Summer Company.

I was 15 when I entered Summer Company, and one of the youngest ones there - with the strangest idea for a business. The people at Summer Company are so helpful and kind-hearted! Even with my crazy idea for a business! They taught me everything from taxes, and banking, to personal skills, and how-to-properly-shake-a-hand. My Diva Dog would not have gone very far if it wasn't for the wonderful people that helped me throughout Summer Company.

After Summer Company was over I did not leave it to rest and forget about My Diva Dog.

No! I still continued to go to craft shows, while I was still in school, and dreamed up new designs. While all of this was going on I also had to think about what I wanted to do after high school. Teaches were pushing for fashion design, while others were pushing for visual arts (I am also an artist). I on the other hand, knew that I wanted to work with animals, in particular dogs. So what does one do when they have no math or science skills, and gets queasy around blood? Well vet is out of the question. Dog trainer? No - I can't even get my dog to stop barking. Dog Groomer? Well it's working with dogs, and it can be very artistic, and I love grooming my dog. *Light bulb* this could work!

So after lots of research about dog grooming, reading tons of books, and even a co-op placement at a local pet groomers I decided that this was what I wanted to do. I could still have my dog clothes in my shop, still do art, and make the puppies look pretty! I graduated from High School in February of 2009 (I graduated half a year early because I had been taking correspondence courses over the summer). In April I headed off to Pampered Paws: School Of Professional Pet Grooming in Port Credit, Mississauga Ontario.

From April to August of 2009 I worked, and studied hard! Above all though, I learned a lot! My instructor was amazing, and she really took her time to make sure that the entire class including myself knew everything there was to know. We had to cover the anatomy of a dog, and first aid, to how to do cat feet on a golden retriever, and a Mohawk on a bichion. There was even a very hard few weeks of learning the business aspect of running your own pet salon. 

In September 2009 "My Diva Dog" expanded the business to include dog grooming. My Diva Dog is unlike other groomers in this area, I am one of very few pet groomers that actually went to school and became a “certified professional groomer”.

My Diva Dog also only has one groomer, and takes only one dog at a time. This means that your pet is only here for the amount of time it takes to groom him/her, and no longer. Above all, there are no cages. When your dog is done, he can roam free - rather than be cooped up in a cage. 

To this day Summer Company still hasn't left me. You can find My Diva Dog clothing for your pooch in the store-front of My Diva Dog. After 5 years of My Diva Dog being a clothing business, I have yet to give it up completely. It is a part of my shop, and a part of me.

To arrange an appointment contact Monet at My Diva Dog: 613-735-2725