Sean C. Morgan
Cindy Blondin was the victim of what law enforcement officials say was an attempted murder a few days before Christmas.
While the alleged perpetrator is behind bars, the attack is still taking its toll on her through her business.
Blondin wants to reassure people that her business is a safe place to go.
She owns and operates Bubbles and Barks, a dog grooming business, 800 Long St.
On Dec. 21 Blondin’s ex-boyfriend allegedly entered the building with a shotgun. She struggled with him for control of the weapon, which discharged.
Police arrested Barry Boydston, 49, on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of attempted first-degree assault, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a shotgun, two counts of menacing, fourth-degree assault and pointing a firearm at another person.
Boydston’s brother, Damon Boydston, 51, was arrested for driving under the influence and felon in possession of a firearm.
“God had his hand on the whole thing,” Blondin said. She and her friend Rebekah Katelnikoff, 26, who works at the salon, both survived when the sawed-off shotgun misfired.
Since the incident, Blondin, 50, said her business has declined by as much as 60 or 70 percent.
“My business is hurting in a serious way,” Blondin said. “I have a little bit of hope right now.”
While she clings to that hope and while many customers are supportive, she has heard comments from other customers.
One told her that he was glad Blondin was still here, but he hoped she was done “hanging out with people like that.”
In four years, Blondin said, Boydston had not laid a hand on her; although he does get belligerent while under the influence of alcohol.
Another asked her what if it had been her dog in the tub, Blondin said. A tub was shot in the scuffle, but no dogs were injured.
Another customer said he would have to find another groomer now, Blondin said.
She lived through one nightmare just to start a different kind of nightmare, she said. She had closed the business for a week and a half following the incident.
“People are worried about me leaving, but if business doesn’t pick up, I’ll have to leave,” Blondin said. She has more than 200 clients after two years at that location.
“I just want to reassure them, he’s in jail, and he’s not getting out for a long time. There’s nothing to be in fear of. He’s not getting out any time soon.”
She wanted to publicly thank customers who have been supportive, but she needs to operate at full volume to ensure that she can pay her bills and stay open.
If there’s something those folks want, she said, “they can call me and give me input. What do they want me to do?”
Blondin moved to Sweet Home from Kodiak, Alaska, two years ago with Boydston. Both had grown up in Oregon, and they met in Alaska.
“He told me about Sweet Home,” Blondin said. “I wanted to move to a little small town off the beaten path. I looked at a lot of towns, and I liked Sweet Home the best.”
She came to Sweet Home on a couple of trips and then moved permanently, she said. She opened the new business, something she has done for 33 years.
“Dogs are my life,” Blondin said.