LOGAN (AP) — Owner Lisa Reeder fluffs a halo of dyed orange fur that crowns Daisy's head. "Don't you look nice," she coos.
With Daisy's dangling Mardi Gras beads, glued-on feathers and multicolored dye job, she is easily the most stylish dog in Cache Valley and maybe even the world.
Reeder hopes that's what the judges think at next month's SuperZoo competitive grooming contest.
The three-day event brings thousands of attendees to Las Vegas for five days of dog styling and parading.
Each competitor has 2 1/2 hours to complete the grooming, and they are judged on technique and creativity.
The winner takes home $5,000, a trophy and, of course, bragging rights.
Reeder came in fourth last year, when Daisy was dressed as a carousel horse complete with a gold pole made from a wrapping paper tube.
Though she would love to win the top prize, for Reeder, it's really about the fun of competing.
"The best thing is how much I learn," she said. "It's so much fun to see people's ideas."
Among the more interesting designs are a brown poodle made up as a buffalo and a white poodle as a football player.
Reeder herself is always brainstorming grooming ideas.
"She could be a good Big Bird," Reeder said, peering into Daisy's face. "Can't you see Big Bird?"
The 37-year-old Wellsville native has always loved animals and can remember playfully snipping her dogs' fur.
"I was a groomer before I knew what a groomer was," she said.
To follow her passion, Reeder attended the prestigious Nash Academy outside of Philadelphia. There, she was certified as a master groomer. After working in New Jersey and Nashville, she returned to Utah in 2003 and opened her first dog grooming shop, Stylin' Pets in Brigham City. A Logan location followed in 2004. At around the same time, Reeder stumbled upon SuperZoo and thought to herself, "I can do that."
But then Reeder fell ill with diabetes and had to take a break from grooming.
A year and a half ago, she and her husband, Ray, were forced to sell their shops.
"It's hard to run a business from a hospital bed," Reeder said.
Now, Reeder is back.
This month, she reopened her Logan grooming shop, naming it Stylin' Pets II.
Though she mostly does "normal grooming," the occasional customer comes by who wants something a little more dramatic.
Reeder remembered a trucker who liked to give his Shih Tzu mix a blue Mohawk.
"He liked the attention," Reeder said.
Daisy also gets plenty of stares.
The dog enjoys sticking her head out the window as she rides in the car.
"People follow us a lot," Reeder said.
The curious looks aren't likely to stop soon.
Though Daisy will have to retire next year, when she turns 10, Reeder has three other dogs ready to step in and take her place.
"I don't consider this to be like work," Reeder said. "I get to play with the animals all day."