Life is “Ruff” at Digger Dogs
by Cate Murway
Even with all the wonderful opportunities on Mill Street to be a part of the ongoing revitalization project of historic Bristol on the Delaware, one of the shoppes continues to be “going to the dogs”. Bet the canine owners are most thankful!
The origin of this expression is believed to be in ancient China, as far back as the 1500’s, where dogs, by tradition, were not permitted within the walls of cities and consequently, the stray animals roamed the areas outside the city. The expression caught on and expanded to include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruined, or looked terrible.
Not so here at Digger Dogs. If your dog needs a little "sprucing up", this is the place to go! Donna Lynne [Flesch] Worstall, the owner and her expert crew exhibit an immense love for all the animals and this extends to the care and personal attention given to their furry clients. With over 20 years of experience, Donna and her assistants/staff are confident that once you have been to Digger Dogs, you and your dog won't want to go anywhere else. When you fetch your pet, you’ll be extremely satisfied with the results. Each “furkid” that comes into their shop is treated as if it were their own! “Where your dogs feel like they’re home!”
Former President of The Bristol Borough Business Association [BBBA], Richard P. Vallejo brings his Lexus and Bentley to Digger Dogs. Yes, they are his miniature pinscher pets! Rich confirmed, “They are great dog groomers and they care about every dog that comes in.”
The store front is conveniently located on friendly Mill Street operated by welcoming, total dog people who go above and beyond providing great customer service.
“The grooming experience should be a fun one”, for everyone.
So, grab a sandwich, walk down to the river with a book, and go shop, all while they snip, clip, wash and dry! Then pick up your pup.
“I love this place” is heard as the pets leave with their owners.
Digger Dogs earned Best of Bucks in 2009 and they've recently been voted the best Dog Groomer in Buck's Happening List for 2013.
The owner, Donna, is the middle child in her family, born in Trenton, NJ but she has been residing in Bristol Borough for the last 15 years. Her older sister, Janet Leigh MacDonald was the proprietor of the Rapture Hair Studio on Mill Street and she enticed Donna into the Borough.
What is your favorite thing about Bristol? “Meeting my husband. He had his Dale James Woodwork shop right next door.”
Her first shop was located on Basin Street. She relocated it to Pond Street for awhile before settling in her current location at 317 Mill Street.
Donna’s husband, Dale Robert Worstall is an accomplished woodworker and he just completed the creative lettering for her new Digger Dogs sign. Dale had done some carpentry work at the Blue Dog Lounge that had been located in the former Stocks building. Some of the pictures no longer used in the tavern, now grace the walls. This Mill Street shop location was originally Charlie and Elsie Richman’s window treatment, curtain and drapery store.
Now “the shop is full of dogs at all times.”
Her original store window with the dog preening in a mirror, created by the late Army veteran, Cpl. Anthony Napoli, is part of the decorations in the front of her shop now.
Many people buy a dog, love it, feed it, walk it, and water it and yet they never really even give a thought to grooming their pet.
Digger Dogs is a full service dog grooming shop providing the safest grooming equipment and a most experienced staff, in a play friendly environment.
Donna’s daughter, Brandi Lynn Shaw, an avid animal lover, started shampooing dogs as a teenager for a family friend, and it was she who encouraged her entrepreneurial spirited mom, a Tri-City Barber Institute graduate, to start the dog grooming business. Brandi’s pet was the original Digger Dog. The resident Digger Dog is the six-year-old hybrid smooth fox terrier/cattle dog mix rescue pet, the catch of Bristol's Animal Control officer, Bill Palmer.
Brandi is the groomer, webmaster, and operations assistant/consultant, responsible for getting Digger Dogs into the cyber world and implementing all of their online presence.
Donna’s son, Charles Richard has also worked with his mom and he is preparing to open a Digger Dogs in North Carolina.
Groomer/ operations manager, Ingrid Elizabeth Faber’s degree is in business administration and she worked in marketing, branding and manufacturing. Ingrid has been responsible for helping Donna build her business as well as with marketing/advertising since 1993. She attended various grooming seminars, behavior classes, earned a Pet First Aid / Response certification and is a dog trainer with Opportunity Barks Animal Behavior & Training.
Bristol resident, groomer/ shop manager Misty Nieves is “really a hard worker.” She helps run the day-to-day operations of the shop and always makes time to hug the dogs!
Sarah Erickson is a groomer and brings a new meaning to the term "pet stylist". She's been working at Digger Dogs for over 3 years and has skillfully groomed almost every breed imaginable in almost every fashion / trend available. She makes them “paw”fect!
“Dog whisperer”, Tommy Barbetta is the bather extraordinaire. He conjures the most unique, most effective shampoos for the animal’s skin issues, using his vast array of products to alleviate any condition. His wife, June, hand cuts, stitches, and irons a variety of holiday bandanas.
“Only the best for Digger Dogs!”
Testaments on their face book page:
“Hands down the best location to have your dog groomed. I am always impressed with how my Lilly turns out and how much attention to detail they take when grooming her. I feel the love as soon as I walk through the door.” Jamie Shetz
“I wouldn't bring my dogs to anyone else. Donna is the best in the world.” Vicky Knapp
Digger Dogs Pet Grooming
Tue - Sat: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
317 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.785.5663
Suggest a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
9.29.13 Digger Dogs Pet Grooming
WOW! What can we say??!! We won Best of Bucks thanks to all of your votes, so please stop by this week Wednesday - Saturday for some complimentary refreshments, and let us say "thanks" in person. Here's a lovely article in the Burlington County Times about us and how we feel about winning! http://bit.ly/best_2013
Hope to see you this week!
Digger Dogs Pet Grooming
We are incredibly sad to share that the owner,
Donna Lynne Flesch Worstall [12.17.56 - 7.20.21] has passed away.
It was very sudden and we are all in shock and absolutely heartbroken.
The shop will be closed on Friday, July 23rd as we attend services for Donna. If you are interested, you are welcome to join us Friday morning at:
Calvary Full Gospel Church
676 Lincoln Hwy, Fairless Hills, PA 19030
(the corner of Business Route 1 & Trenton Road)
Door open at 9:30am for anyone who would like to pay their respects, and church services begin at 11am.
We already miss you such much Donna, Rest in Peace
