By Susannah Wood

Rover getting a bit whiffy? Tired of your aching back as you wrestle him in the bathtub? Pet Valu at the Winsted Stop and Shop plaza has the answer for you. For $10 plus tax you can take your pet to their do-it-yourself dog wash stations and soap up your Labradoodle, Bergamasco shepherd or rescue mutt in comfort. Better still, no need to swab down the bathroom afterwards. The three elevated, tiled sinks of different sizes are equipped with steps (though our dog saw through that trick and had to be hauled in), as well as convenient sprayers and hair dryers to turn your rank best friend into a fluffy paragon. The water is pre-set to a pleasantly warm temperature that quickly calmed our squirming pooch. Waterproof aprons, two bottles of shampoo, an abundant supply of towels and bowls of treats to distract and reward all come as part of the price. For our Bagel’s bath, I opted for the Shed Relief shampoo, hoping to reduce the hair load on our furniture. Other options include Oatmeal and Puppy shampoo. Hours are 9 to 9, Monday through Saturday, and 10 to 7 on Sundays. It’s a first-come-first-serve operation so you might have to wait a few minutes on weekends. One warning: dogs sprayed by skunks or infested with fleas are not welcome, but the staff can suggest products to help. Call 860-238-4948 for further information.

Photos by Bruce Frisch.