There’s a new dog in town and her name is Lucy. The one-year-old cocker spaniel doodle is one of the friendly faces that greet customers when they come in to Fluff ‘N Go Grooming, LLC, Becker’s new pet grooming business.

Growing up in Maple Lake, Fluff ‘N Go owner Kari Sisell loved animals, and as a child she used to bath her family’s dog, ending the session with a blow dry. When she was 18 she was asked by the owner of a pet grooming business if she wanted to come and work for her.

Sisell said yes, and through that mentorship she perfected her pet grooming skills and learned the ins and outs of the business.

Out on her own she began grooming pets on the side, it wasn’t until her youngest child Ashley was born in 2010 that she began running her business fulltime. 

“I’ve always loved animals and it worked with my crazy schedule of three kids going in every direction,” said Sisell.

Along with daughter Ashley, now nine, she had 12-year-old son Tanner, now 21, and eight-year-old daughter McKenzi, now 17.

Sisell ran her business out of her home for two years before moving into a building in Annandale. This June she opened her second shop in Becker.

“I’ve always wanted to live in Becker and I wanted to get into the community,” she said. “I want to make this my home.”

She moved to Becker in November and daughter Ashley started attending Becker Intermediate School.

Ashley is the only one of Sisell’s three children who has shown an interest in the business, although she hasn’t yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. She’s grown up with Fluff ‘N Go, having come to work with her mom since she was little. Today she helps out when she isn’t in school.  

Sisell offers a full range of grooming services at both Fluff ‘N Go locations, including bathing and blow dry, trimming, shaving, furminating, anal glands and nail cutting. She’s even been known to paint a toenail or two. Although she works mainly with dogs and cats, she’s cut guinea pig toenails and shaved a donkey.

All pets come home with a bandana.

All pets also get personal attention, and when Ashley is there she plays with them. Lucy, Fluff ‘N Go’s “shop dog,” will also play, and sometimes takes on the role of therapy dog. When an animal is nervous or scared she’ll go lay by their crate to offer emotional support.

“What I hear all the time is that I’m quick,” said Sisell. “Usually it takes me an hour to do a dog if he’s cooperating. Some animals can be more difficult and it just takes a little longer.”

Although she loves her job, it can be tough when an animal has injuries or health issues. It’s also hard when an animal comes in with extremely matted long hair and the owner doesn’t want it cut or shaved, just brushed out.

“That takes a long time and can be hard on the animal,” she said.

The family business is located at 14087 Bank Street, Suite 6, in Becker, or 48 Oak Ave. S in Annandale. Appointments can be made by calling or texting 320-761-9130.

For more information on Fluff ‘N Go Grooming, visit www.fluffngo.net.