This week, you may have notice a few extra barks coming from one of the buildings in downtown Tallapoosa on Highway 78. That’s because You Dirty Dog is now open for business and welcoming all of the city’s four-legged friends inside for a shampoo and blow dry.

Julie Mendoza, a Tallapoosa resident for four years, has finally realized her dream of doing what she loves by opening a dog grooming business right here in Tallapoosa.

“I decided to do this about two months ago,” Mendoza said. “I jumped in with all four feet.”

Mendoza, who is an animal lover, was working 12 hour days as a truck driver hauling chicken feed for local chicken farms. However, when she found herself wanting a change of pace, she began to consider different avenues.

“I realized that Tallapoosa didn’t have a pet groomers, so I suggested that my daughter move her business from Newnan to here.”

However, after being unable to convince her daughter to pull up roots, Mendoza decided she’d just open a grooming business herself.

“I was driving my truck one day, and I just said ‘gosh, I’ll just do it myself.’”

Mendoza says she received her training from a close friend several years ago.

“I worked with my good friend, Shelly Ricks, in Douglasville. I worked for her for three years.”

Mendoza says she received all of her training on the job in Douglasville. In fact, Mendoza plans to honor her friend, who passed away several years ago, at her salon with a plaque and photo that will be placed on the wall.

She says You Dirty Dog will be an open-window shop, allowing passers by to peer in to the parlor while dogs are being groomed.

Mendoza is also bringing a personal touch to her parlor with the creative name she gave it.

“Well, it was either going to be You Dirty Dog or Hot Diggidy Dog,” Mendoza laughed. “I just wanted to do something creative and different.”

And to help spread the word about her business, Mendoza says she will give a free T-shirt with her business logo on it to her first three customers the first seven days she’s open for business. Mendoza says she is excited to be doing a job she loves and that this is a decision that feels right.

“I feel happy doing this. I love Tallapoosa.”

Mendoza lives in Tallapoosa with her husband, Domingo. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

You Dirty Dog is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. However, Mendoza says if enough interest is expressed, she will expand her hours to begin at 6 a.m. For an appointment or more information, call 770-574-9942.