Alysser - of course there are plenty of good groomers out there and I'm sure that they far outnumber the bad. Right now - it's just finding one that I feel comfortable with after the other 2 incidents that I mentioned. I never had a problem with my old groomer until she took on new people and then I had the incident of the probable sedation and leg injury there, so that ended it for me. And altho I never personally had a problem at Petsmart, just knowing what my DIL witnessed there, was enough for me to not go back there again.
I have found a very promising possibility tho. There is a girl locally that has a mobile grooming service - she has a van fully equipped as a grooming salon - self contained water, water heater, hydrobath, etc, etc. and she comes to the house and works right in the driveway. I thought she must be pretty expensive, so I emailed her with all pertinent info about my poochies and requested a rate quote. She emailed me back, and I was rather surprised that she's not all that expensive, considering all that she does, which is more than just the cut, bath and dry. If the shops did what she does, then they would add extra for every extra thing that they do, and it would jack the price way up anyway. Plus she gives a 2 dog discount. Myndi is getting older and kind of stresses when she goes to the shops, so this might work out - plus I don't have to take them there, go to pick them up, and they don't have to be caged. It's not a definite, but I've read good reviews about her, and will meet with her beforehand before I make any decision. There is still a shop in town I want to check out, and I'll ask my vet for any recommendations too.
I just never expected that I would have to be in a position of such caution. It's a shame that a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel!