By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – For Albuquerque dog owners looking to give their furry friends a little pampering, the Soggy Doggy Trolley Mobile Pet Wash offers a convenient alternative to a traditional grooming salon. Under new ownership since July, the recognizable turquoise trolley is now operated by Annabelle Rodriguez and her son, Aaron Lovejoy, who provide bathing and grooming services with an emphasis on patience and personalized care. Rodriguez took over the business with a passion for animals and a desire to continue serving Albuquerque’s pet community. Rodriguez spoke with The Paper. about what inspired her to take over Soggy Doggy, how she approaches caring for nervous dogs and the relationships she’s built with local pets and their owners.
What inspired you to take ownership of Soggy Doggy Trolley Mobile Pet Wash, and what excites you most about continuing mobile dog-washing services to Albuquerque?
My love for animals and my amazing friendship with [original owner] Susan [Hawk] drew me to Soggy Doggy Trolley. I’ve always believed that our pets are more than just animals — they’re family, and they deserve to be treated with love, patience and respect.
What excites me most about continuing Soggy Doggy’s journey in Albuquerque is the opportunity to build lasting relationships with our furry friends and their humans. Every dog has a unique personality, and getting to know them is one of the best parts of what I do. I want Soggy Doggy to be more than just a place to get your dog washed. I want it to be a place where pets feel safe, owners feel confident and everyone leaves a little happier than when they arrived.
What makes the Soggy Doggy Trolley experience different from taking a dog to a traditional grooming salon?
What makes Soggy Doggy special is our personal approach. We’re not a traditional grooming salon where dogs may spend hours waiting in kennels or surrounded by unfamiliar animals and noises. Pets will have either myself or my son, Aaron Lovejoy, love on them and give them their baths. We learn what each dog needs to provide a positive experience.
We also recognize that not every dog loves bath time or having their nails done! That’s why patience and positive experiences are so important to us. We even offer complimentary acclimation sessions for nervous dogs, giving them an opportunity to explore the trolley, become familiar with the sounds and smells, and build trust without the pressure of receiving a service.
What’s been the most rewarding part of running Soggy Doggy Trolley, and what have your experiences with Albuquerque’s dogs and their owners taught you along the way?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding part has been the relationships we’ve built with our Soggy Doggy family. There’s something incredibly special about seeing a dog who was once nervous become more comfortable and confident with each visit. And there’s nothing quite like seeing those wagging tails and happy faces when our furry friends recognize us!
The Albuquerque pet community has taught me so much about kindness, patience, loyalty and the incredible bond between people and their pets. I’ve learned that every dog has a story, every owner wants what’s best for their companion, and sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest difference.
I’m especially grateful for the friendships we’ve made at North Domingo Baca Dog Park and for the opportunity to support local animal rescues, adoption events and other businesses that share our love for animals. That’s what makes Soggy Doggy so special to me, and that’s what motivates me to keep growing and improving every day.
Soggy Doggy Trolley Mobile Pet Wash operates at North Domingo Baca Park in Albuquerque on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services include baths, nail trimming and grinding, blow-drying, brushing, de-shedding treatments and teeth brushing. No appointments are necessary, with services offered on a first-come, first-served basis.