College grooming course goes to the dogs
May 18, 2000

By JILL FOREMAN 

The Daily Astorian

It was a doggone good day.

Corky the chow-golden retriever mix got the star treatment at Bay Breeze Boarding in Warrenton.

We're talking nails clipped, dahling. Ears cleaned and a good brushing. Pink ribbons in the hair. Corky's family must adore her.

But she doesn't have a family.

Corky has been at the Clatsop County Animal Shelter for a while now ... and time is of the essence to get her adopted.

"We wanted to do whatever we could so she would be irresistible and find a home," said Virginia Bordwell. "She loves kids. She loves to go for rides in the car."

Bordwell, a grooming instructor, was overseeing Corky's makeover at Bay Breeze with her five students in the grooming class at Clatsop Community College. It was the first time the class has been offered and includes a cooperative agreement with Bay Breeze, allowing students to use the facility.

"We said, `Let's try it and see how it goes,"' said Rose Alsbury, education coordinator for CCC's Community Education Department. "We're still working out the details."

So far, the class is a success. Professional Dog Grooming II will be offered in the summer, and another beginner's class is tentatively set for fall.

The students are enthusiastic.

"Class doesn't seem long enough sometime," said Karen Lincoln of Astoria, while drying a St. Bernard.

Bay Breeze Manager Danielle Sayer finds dogs for the class to practice on.

"If someone wants to bring their dog in for grooming, it's at a low cost to the public," she said.

Sayer saw Corky at the shelter and brought her in for sprucing up.

"We'd like for this little gal to find a home," Sayer said. "She's ready to be placed in a wonderful home."

With Corky looking like a million bucks back at the shelter, that is precisely why everyone has their fingers crossed.

The Clatsop County Animal Shelter has many dogs and cats looking for a home.

The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. For more information, call 861-7387.