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Meet Marni

From the age of three, Marni's life was all about dogs. She loved to entertain the canine guests at her parent's pet boarding facility in Reisterstown, Maryland. Her mother was ahead of her time in the 1970's, throwing dog birthday parties for her customer's dogs. She was also a well known and respected Dog Trainer, Groomer and Breeder of German Shepherds. 

Marni competed in Junior handling classes, cat shows, horse shows, and assisted her mother with her dog training classes. When the family kennel sold, it became Marni’s life long dream to build her own state of the art “Pet Resort”. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Nutrition from East Carolina University, and moved to Florida. Her professional pet care journey would begin with a passion for improving pet's lives.

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It's a long story...

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In 1997, after a frustrating boarding experience with her own dog, Marni knew she had to make the pet boarding experience a better one. At the time, there were no luxury pet resorts in South Florida, so she set out to create her own. Despite rejection from six banks, and the project initially being denied by the County, her determination paid off. In 2001, she secured an SBA loan to build the Tail End Pet Resort - a 15,000 sq. ft. facility on 5 acres, offering pet boarding, grooming and daycare. Tail End earned recognition on the front page of the Miami Herald and winning awards such as “Best Place to Pamper Your Pet” from City Link Magazine. The resort also became a favorite of Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and Florida Marlins players.

In 2008, Marni sold Tail End to a national pet boarding chain and moved to Mount Dora, Florida, where she continued her mission to elevate pet care standards. She planned a massive pet resort project on 9 acres, but the economic crash derailed her plans. Just one week before the loan was set to close, the bank backed out, resulting in a significant financial loss.

Undeterred, Marni shifted gears. In 2009, before the existence of online pet retailers like Chewy.com, she attempted to launch The Green K9, an online store dedicated to healthy pet food and supplies. After giving a deposit to a website development company, they

went out of business and kept the deposit money with no online store in return. Instead,

she decided to open The Green K9 in a small storefront in Tavares, FL. The main street shop specialized in healthy, organic, and eco-friendly pet products, dog daycare, bathing, and pet birthday parties. She and her ex-husband ran it themselves with no employees. 

As The Green K9 grew, so did its loyal following. In 2012, a customer funded the expansion of a new 7,200 sq. ft. facility in neighboring Mount Dora. Overnight dog boarding and full grooming services were added. The business thrived, earning accolades such as being named one of the Top Ten Coolest Pet Businesses in America by Pets+ Magazine, and a Retailer Excellence Award from Pet Business Magazine.

After 20 years in Florida, Marni returned to Maryland in 2018 to be with family. She identified a need for a healthy pet store and grooming shop in Urbana, and opened The Green K9 in 2019. The new business model included high-quality pet food and supplies, grooming, small dog daycare, and two private self-pet-wash rooms. Starting as the sole Groomer, Marni grew the team that now consists of five exceptional groomers and one bather. Despite opening two months before the Pandemic, the shop continued to grow, earning recognition again as one of the Top Ten Coolest Pet Businesses in America by Pets+ Magazine, and winning the Sass Magazine Choice Award for two consecutive years. 

In 2023, Marni realized a need to assist pets with the stress of nail trimmings. She created The Paw Pad, a mobile van service that provides a calm, comforting space for pets during their nail trims, and allows pet parents to be present during the appointment.

In October of 2024, Marni sold The Green K9 to Tiffany Lewis, the owner of Pet and Home Care, a local Pet sitting business. This transition allows Marni to focus on expanding The Paw Pad to a full time service, continuing her commitment to enhance the pet care experience in her community. 

 

Marni has been fundraising and fostering for pet rescue groups since 2001. Her favorite thing is to assist by grooming dogs in need at no charge. If you know a rescue group or shelter that needs help with makeovers, please contact The Paw Pad!

Tail End Pet Resort, Davie, FL

The first Green K9, Tavares, FL

The Green K9, Mount Dora, FL

The Green K9, Urbana, FL

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The Paw Pad

Mobile Nail Trim Van

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Servicing Frederick County MD and surrounding areas.

info@thepawpadmobile.com

240-316-3161

Opening Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Friday: 12:30 pm - 6:30 pm

​​Saturday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm        (Neighborhood nail days only)

Sunday: Closed

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