Introduction of the Organizer

My name is Renee Caldwell and I have lived in Asheville for nearly 11 years. I have known Natalie for most of my time here and Liz for nearly five years now. I came to know them when I was looking for the perfect person to provide grooming services for my dear four-legged friend Iba. Natalie, with her husband Rocky owned Waggers and she lovingly took care of Iba for five years. Near the end of Iba's life she could not withstand her usual full care treatment. I called on Natalie for help and explained our situation. She said without hesitation "bring her to me"... I did and she asked that I give her 20 minutes. I returned to find Iba freshly shaved and I could see the love and care Natalie gave her this one last time. Iba was very comfortable for the last month of her life because of Natalie's care and compassion. Then my boy Woody came along and that is when I met Liz who was working at Waggers at the time. I knew instantly that she was the right person to care for Woody. I could tell he was smitten with her from the start. He is a rescue and Liz provided the compassion and love that Woody needed.

Due to unforeseen circumstances after the death of her husband Rocky, Natalie and Liz took the bold, brave step of opening their own dog grooming business. I knew from my experience that they would be successful. By now, these two women were my friends.... they have that way of making you feel like family. They opened their shop in 2023 and then in September 2024 Hurricane Helene devastated our community and they were without water at the shop for 50 days. Then the water returned. However, also during this time, they had been working with their landlord on their lease and for inexplicable reasons he was unwilling to work with them. That unwillingness left them unable to apply for relief assistance and they ultimately closed the doors on a business they dreamed of and worked so hard to create. This was also a significant loss to the clients and their beloved pets who came to trust and rely on them.

They have both suffered extreme financial distress. Their own words follow and demonstrate the impact this had on them personally. I am launching this campaign to assist them their financial recovery from these horrific events. Please consider donating to Liz and Natalie to help them now recover from Hurricane Helene.

The Backstory

Liz and Natalie have shared an unbreakable bond for over 15 years, enduring life’s joys and unbearable losses together. More like sisters than friends, they worked side by side for much of that time. Natalie owned Waggers Dog Depot with her late husband, where Liz also worked. During those years, they became known in the community as the go-to groomers for special needs dogs: geriatrics, pets with physical limitations, aggression, or health restraints. Their extraordinary patience and genuine care for every animal made it clear this was more than just a job—it was their passion. To Liz and Natalie, the pets they groomed weren’t just clients; they became family.

After Natalie faced the heartbreaking loss of her husband and the challenges of the pandemic, she decided it was best to sell Waggers and downsize. That’s when she and Liz partnered to open their dream salon together.

With over 20 years of grooming experience each, they knew exactly what they wanted to create. They poured their hearts into every detail, building a salon that was efficient, welcoming, and filled with love. Their vision was realized in Fur the Love of Dog—a name that truly reflected the compassion and dedication they brought to every pet and family they served.

Their salon wasn’t just a grooming business; it was a lifeline for the community. Pets and their families found not only exceptional care but also genuine love and understanding in every visit.

The Impact of Hurricane Helene

Just months after Liz and Natalie celebrated their first year in business, Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024. While the building itself sustained minimal damage, the salon was left without running water for two months, forcing them to shut down temporarily. During this time, they tried to apply for financial assistance to help small businesses recover from the storm. Unfortunately, their efforts were blocked because their landlord refused to provide a hard copy of their lease, a required document for relief applications.

Despite withholding the lease, the landlord demanded rent, leading to a prolonged legal battle involving lawyers and even the sheriff’s office. After months of fighting to keep their salon, Liz and Natalie were forced to close their doors just one week before Christmas 2024.

The closure devastated them financially, as they had already invested over $30,000 into transforming the space and drained their savings during the months they couldn’t work. With no way to reopen or relocate, Liz and Natalie now face the heartbreaking reality of an unexpected career change after 25 years of serving our community as professional groomers.

The Purpose of the GoFundMe

Despite their efforts, Liz and Natalie were unable to receive any financial aid after losing their business, causing complete loss of their investment as well as their livelihood. Funds raised will help Liz and Natalie recover from this unimaginable loss, covering immediate expenses, assisting with personal recovery, and supporting them as they try to transition to the next chapter of their lives.

If Liz or Natalie have ever impacted your life—either professionally through their care for your beloved pets or personally—please consider contributing to this campaign.

Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in their lives. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your friends and family to help spread the word.