Groomer Saves Dog's Life During Routine Appointment In Somerset County

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A dog's life was saved after a salon manager and groomer Cola Butts made a keen observation at Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming in Bridgewater recently.

Butts noticed unusual bruising on a doodle named Diogee during a regular grooming session. This abnormality had gone unnoticed by his family, according to Lorie Santos, Co-owner of Woof Gang Bridgewater at 732 Route 202.

"Diogee had been coming to us for years, and we’ve grown to love him like family," Butts said. "I just knew something wasn’t right. The bruise didn’t look typical. I told his owners he needed to be seen right away."

That same day, Diogee underwent emergency surgery to address a hidden internal issue that could have had tragic consequences if left untreated, according to Santos.

Diogee is expected to fully recover and return for his next grooming appointment.

"This could have ended very differently," said Santos. "Cola’s attention to detail and care made all the difference. It's a powerful reminder of how grooming isn’t just about looking good - it’s about staying healthy and even saving lives."

Santos noted that at Woof Gang Bridgewater, their groomers are trained to go beyond brushing and bathing, and give each pet a comprehensive check-in, where staff look for signs of hidden illness, ticks, rashes, and injuries.

"We are incredibly proud of Cola and thankful that Diogee’s story has a happy outcome," Santos said. "It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do."

For more information on Woof Gang Bridgewater, call 908-595-WOOF (9663) or follow facebook.com/WGBBridgewater or Instagram and Twitter: @wgbbridgewater.

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