Arroyo Grande dog groomer prepares to get back to work, providing hope and inspiration

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. -- An Arroyo Grande dog groomer is ready to get back to work after spending more than a month closed down.

As she prepares to start her business back up, she has a lot to be thankful for, including much more than simply returning to work.

"It's definitely a relief for my family," said Jenny Wallace, Muddy Paws owner. "Getting back to work is definitely a blessing. It's very exciting for my family and for me. It's exciting for my clients. It's showing that things are starting to move forward."

Last month, when San Luis Obispo County issued the shelter at home order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, it closed many businesses that were deemed non-essential.

Wallace's mobile dog grooming service fell under this category, forcing her to stop immediately.

"It was tough," said Wallace. "It was hard. The unknown is what's scary. We were living day to day, whether they were going to let us go back to work. We just didn't know. We were waiting to find out when we can start making some income again."

As the weeks went by, it became increasing stressful for Wallace, along with her husband Billy and two-year-old son.

"The bills, they don't stop," said Wallace. "They keep piling up. All the phone calls, and the unemployment to fill out, and all these other things to have to figure out to help keep us going. It was a juggle."

Fortunately, as she went through the difficult financial period, she received a little boost from people around her.

"I have an amazing clientele base, who sent me donations and cards, and offering to still pay for their dog's grooming, whether I was at their appointment or not," said Wallace.

Through their generosity, Wallace has been able to stay afloat, while at the same time, see how this pandemic, even with social distancing and stay at home orders, is actually bringing people together.

"It's pretty amazing when the community can pull together when times are this hard," said Wallace. "It's all about the community supporting each other, and helping everybody get by, and I think we're doing pretty good. I think we're helping each other out. It's been pretty amazing."

Last week, Wallace, heard the news she's been waiting for since the shelter at home order went into effect, that she could reopen immediately.

"I'm thankful that I have this type of business that I am one of the first actually to start back from the government shutdown, so I'm definitely thankful for that and it's going to help my family tremendously," said Wallace.

The county gave the go-ahead to a handful of other businesses to reopen, such as construction, recreational fishing and fabric stores.

These businesses have been allowed to reopen, but must do so with policies that will maintain current safety restrictions.

Wallace said she's going to a new system that will provide protection for both herself and her clients.

"I'm going to do no contact with my clientele," said Wallace. "When I pull up at their house, they will put their dog into the garage. I will then go get the dog out of the garage with gloves and a mask. As soon as I'm done, I will put the dog back into the garage and then call the client and let the client."

The new protocol is especially important for Wallace, since she has experienced something like this COVID-19 pandemic before, but on a personal level.

"I'm a breast cancer survivor, who is also immune compromised," said Wallace. "I have been through something similar to this before. I have been quarantined for a year. I have known the unknown. I know what's it's like to have to just stop, and let life fall into it's place. Sometimes there's not a whole lot we can do, but if we can just continue to be the best person we can be, and have that hope, to let life figure itself out, and it does."

After fighting and beating the disease, it gives her a perspective and wisdom to see that even during difficult and challenging times like these, there is also hope and inspiration.

"If we can be safe and keep our social distancing and let the numbers keep dropping for this coronavirus, I think we're going to be okay," said Wallace. "We're all going to get through this."