Really?

My co-worker relayed this conversation that she had with one of her clients today.

Client:  I want him left in a long haircut.  I completely brushed him out before Christmas.

Groomer:  Hmmm, it looks like his legs are pretty matted.

Client:  Well, I didn't brush his legs!!

Make Hay While the Sun Shines.

This week is the busiest week of the year for most groomers.  There is never a more important time for your pet to look it's best than Christmas.  Dogs are travelling with their owners to visit relatives, and no one likes to ride in the car with a stinky dog. Plus,  if you want to be asked to visit again next year, its best to have clean pets that aren't shedding all over the place along.  This time of year offers lots of photo ops as well, and "Fluffy" must look her best.

Here's the thing about getting your pet groomed for Christmas...  You want it clean the week of Christmas, not 10 days before, not 3 days after.  I understand, really I do, it's hard to keep dogs clean.  But, it's hard for me to fit in ALL the clients that want an appointment this week.  This week it's a 4 day window, as Friday is Christmas Eve and I'm off that day. 

I believe I have mentioned before that I work on commission.  So, I groom and groom and groom this week, to make up for the dark days after Christmas when there will be very little income.  Things will pick back up in February, but until then, pretty much if your dog hasn't been groomed before Christmas, you no longer have the money to get it groomed.  Especially, since who cares if the dog is dirty AFTER Grandma leaves?

Yesterday there was a snowstorm here, which was still going on this morning, so I had 3 dogs cancel, and no one wanted to fill those appointment.  This will apparently be known as my "rest" day.  Wednesday is really busy and Thursday is just insane. 

I will do my best to fit everyone in, by taking no lunches and very few bathroom breaks.  You think I'm kidding.  I'm not. 

I'll be tired out, by Christmas Eve, but my clientele is generally very grateful and generous at this time of year.  Every dog goes out the door with a Holiday bandanna or festive bows, and it's actually a pretty fun week.  Just don't ask me to go to Mexico the week of Christmas..I'll be working.

I've always wanted one of those dogs!

The other day I groomed a Rough Collie for some people who do Collie Rescue.  It was an older boy, who had obviously seen some hard times.  He had scars all over his face, and a chunk of ear missing.  He was apparently a stray that had been picked up by a humane society in another state.  You have to wonder, who could lose a Collie.  They really aren't that common anymore, yet, thanks to Lassie, very recognizable.  My guess is someone dumped him.  Poor boy.  He was terrified of the bath (probably his 1st ever) but by the time I got to finishing him, he stood very well on the table, and seemed to enjoy the pampering.  He was beautiful when he was done, and I am happy to report he had already found a new home, which he was being placed in the next day.   Lucky people, this was one nice dog. 

Anyone who has ever seen a Collie (and I think most everyone knows what Lassie looks like) knows how beautiful they can be when cared for.  Sadly, though they really are one of the most even tempered dogs I have run into for the most part, they are one of the most neglected.  No one (it seems) who chooses a Collie has  any idea that Lassie didn't look that way naturally.  People actually BRUSHED her/him (yes, I know the real Lassie was a male dog).  He didn't just go running through the swamps with Timmy and magically turn sparkling white and beautiful.  These clueless people buy an adorable puppy, then once they realize that long hair smells bad and sheds all over, they are kicked outdoors and ignored for the better part of their lives. 

I am asked many times, "what are the most neglected breeds?"  I'm sure it's different by region and popularity of breeds in your area, but where I live, there are a select few, including the Collie  that come to mind (in no particular order)

 Newfoundlands.  Yep..another ADORABLE puppy.  So cute and sweet, they look just like a little bear cub.  By the time they are 9 months old, they are a  100 lb drooling mass of stinky, shedding hair, that still has some major growing to do.  For some reason this breed also gets neglected big-time in the training department as well.  They never really learn to walk on a leash, so they drag their owners everywhere, making them even less cute and cuddly.  Soon, they are kicked out of the house, too much hair (Oh, and did I mention drool??) in the house.  Then to add insult to injury..they cost large amounts of money to get professionally groomed!  No kidding.  I can't believe that 200lb untrained mess doesn't cost around $40 to groom! 


St. Bernards See all the above statements.

Samoyeds.  Again..simply the cutest little ball of 8 week old fluff you've ever seen.  This breed REALLY needs brushing.  That long coat gets matted very fast, and unlike the Saints and Newfies, the ones we have to groom don't really appreciate the tugging and pulling involved in de-matting.  Oh..and surprisingly enough, that pristine white coat stays like that for about 7 minutes, unless it's the dead of a very snowy winter.

Old English Sheepdog  Another "movie" breed that appears on the big screen to always stay clean and "shaggy".  Everyone loves a shaggy dog until they have to brush them. They lose even more of their appeal when the messy face that just got a huge drink out of a mud puddle gives you a big sloppy kiss.   As an owner of another shaggy breed (Bearded Collies) I can say with authority that all that  lovely coat brings in EVERYTHING, sticks, small trees, leaves and of course DIRT.  The coat gets matted without frequent brushing and then they bring them to me, where I have no choice but to shave them.  Shaggy dogs that have been shaved down are not as cute...let's face facts. 

So, by now you have noticed that there is a theme to this sorry list.   Large and Hairy.   Don't get me wrong, I see plenty of neglected small dogs too, but across the board, I am hard pressed to find even ONE or TWO owners of the above dogs that actually is committed to caring for them.  It's sad, and I try very hard to council the people who think to ask before they buy one of these breeds.   No offense is meant to those of you who own, love and care for these breeds...I'm just talking about my little corner of the world.   There are many breeds that "look cool", but very few people should own them.  I will continue to try and be tactful, when someone tells me "I've always wanted one of those dogs".

Parental Discretion Advised

You've been warned. 

So this post is about the "creative"  terms owners use to describe their pet's private parts.  I can't help myself..it's just too funny. I can't keep it to myself any longer.

For the girls: 
One client calls it the "little wee-er".   I have no idea of the correct spelling of Wee-er, and since I doubt even Wikapedia has a definition, I'm going to go with that spelling.  This term would be used in a sentence like this:  "Be sure you trim her little Wee-er short".  Nice.     Then of course there is "Hoo haw", and the ever popular "down there". 

For the boys:
I'm just going to start with a quote.  "be sure you leave some hair on his dingleberries, so they don't get cold"  Really?  What do you think it will look like if the dog has a very short haircut, but a pom pom over his testicles??  Not good.  Boy dog owners are not as original as the girl dog owners.  They use the old standbys such as "weiner" and "pee pee". 

The absolute worst is when the owners use gestures to get their point across.   This is really disturbing when they motion to their own "areas" (front and back, I might add) to get their point across.  Wow. 

Then, we have some interesting terms relating to the back end of their dog.  Of course anal glands get mis-pronounced more often than anything else.  We have the people that want me to "do his annuals"  or "annubile glands"  One hand written note asked if I could please "break his glands"  (OUCH...WTH?)    One client wanted me to please trim off the "bodags" on her Sheltie..I was stumped, so I had to ask for more detail.  She was shocked that I didn't know that bodag was a commonly used term for dried stool stuck to a dog's rear.  I didn't learn that term in grooming school. 

We also get quite a few clients who apparently would like to forget altogether that their dog actually has certain parts of their anatomy.  Many clients don't like to see their dog's anus, and request that we leave hair over it.  Not the easiest feat, to make that look good.  And, anyway, if I leave hair there, won't that just invite bodags to form?? (I'm just sayin)  One owner was unhappy with her 6 month old Shih Tzu for holding her tail up all the time...she hoped that when the dog got older  it would carry her tail down...so she wouldn't have to see the offensive body parts.  One client left us this note: " Please leave some hair, so his penis doesn't show".  Perhaps a female dog would've been a better choice here. 

I told you...I can't make this stuff up!

Losing a Friend.

Today I lost a friend.  This little dog had been my customer for many years.  He was different than many of my grooming dogs.  When it was time for him to come in for a grooming, much of the staff was not thrilled.

Here's the thing...except for his owner, Rusty only liked me.  He was nasty, I mean really, really nasty.  He didn't want anyone to touch him, really even look at him, especially not the hospital staff.  Years ago, his owner switched Veterinarians, for a short period of time,  and decided to try their groomer as well.  The groomer refused to do him anymore, unless he was anesthetized (I've certainly been there, with other dogs).  He was brought back to me, where he and I had "an understanding".    I respected Rusty.  I had seen what he was capable of, many times.  However, for some reason, he would let me do what I needed to do.  I knew all his quirks and of course, he would still need to be muzzled for part of his grooming.  (I'm brave, but not stupid) 

His owner, appreciated me immensely for dealing with his dog.  Some customers that own difficult dogs, don't realize how much extra work these dogs are for us, but he knew.  He would always jokingly ask to see my hands to make sure I still had all my fingers, as he handed over my tip.  I know how much he loved that dog.  It is certain to be very empty house for him tonight. 

Today, I did one last favor for this dog who made me feel "special".  I held him for the technician who gave him a sedative, so he would be peacefully asleep when they euthanized him.  I wanted his last few moments to be with someone he trusted. 

Rest in Peace, Rusty.  I'll miss you, old boy.

More exciting presents.

Today I groomed a 8 month old Shih Tzu who can be a bit of a brat.  His very 1st groom(when he was 10 weeks old), ended badly with the frustrated groomer calling  his owner to pick him up...unfinished.    I met the little demon and his owner when I gave a grooming talk at a local puppy class.  The instructor took me aside and wanted me to consult with them after class, as apparently the dog had been a problem for him as well.  He acted pretty full of himself, but only struggled a bit when I gave him a nail trim.  She was surprised, and pleased that we "seemed to get along".  She booked an appointment with me 6 weeks ago.    The little guy had his moments that first groom, but nothing like she was describing (thankfully).  After hearing more about his behaviors, I strongly recommending neutering. 

Today, I repeated my plea for canine castration.  Though he was nearly perfect for me, and obviously respects me, at home things are a bit different.   I gave her my unsolicited opinion once more, to which she happily replied  "We already have the appointment set, he's getting neutered for Christmas".