DALLAS — When Karen Clements lost her job in 2005 because of Hurricane Katrina, she took it as a sign.
“Oh my gosh, this is what I’m meant to do,” she said. “And that was the year of the dog, the Chinese year of the dog. So, that’s a sign.”
Clements loves dogs, so after Katrina washed away her career, she took what little money she had and followed a dream.
Park Cities Pet Salon has been Clements’ life for the past 15 years, but she’s fighting to weather a storm once again.
“This just totally took me off guard,” she said.
Like many small businesses, Clements has lost significant revenue.
She’s only allowed to groom dogs if it’s vital to their health. She says she’s lost 70% of her customers.
“How can we pay rent if there’s no money coming in at all?" she asked.
Karen says things were so hard she was just three days from going broke. That’s when she got a knock at the door.
“A good Samaritan client, just out of the blue said, ‘I’d like to lend you money for your operating expenses for April,’” Clements said.
That good Samaritan gave Clements enough money to pay the rent, keep the lights on and keep going.
She knows a lot of businesses haven’t been as fortunate, but she’s hopeful her story inspires other people to give.
Clements plans to eventually pay the money back, but says no dollar amount will match the greater gift she received.
“[I] just never in a million years expected somebody to do that out of the goodness of their heart,” said Clements. “I have faith in humanity again.”
Obviously, when things are at their worst, the heart of America is at its best.
More Reasons to Smile:
- Care packages of food, $100 donated to families in need during the pandemic
- Dallas ISD staffers helping some families by hand-delivering meals
- Husband surprises wife with hospital 'puppy window visit'
- 4-year-old uses sidewalk chalk and a pink jeep to deliver smiles and prayers to neighbors
- Wanna spice up virtual meetings? This North Texas business can make it 'llamazing'