We interrupt this blog, for another Mohawk sighting.

This is why you should never "fit someone in"

It's a running joke (well, it's not really that funny to us) between my co-worker and I,  that you WILL be burned every time you "fit" someone in on a day you are completely booked.  That "small" dog will be a Newfoundland mix that hasn't seen a bath since...NEVER.  The "easy" dog will have just a slight diarrhea problem, and the "face trim" will turn into a full blown haircut. 

Today, I fell into the trap.  It's "just a Lab".  Well, it was a Lab mix...mixed with a German Shepherd, but I knew the dog, so thought I was safe.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The receptionist let me know this client wanted to get in today.  Not tomorrow, when I actually HAD open appointments.  "They are getting their groceries today."  OK.. so I gave some criteria.  They could come in as late as 11:00, but would have to stay no less than 4 hours.  No exceptions, since I was fitting them in, and I knew the dog would be blowing coat.  The receptionist repeated this to the client exactly (thank you, S, I know you tried!).  They said that was fine, and they'd be in at around 11. 

10:55 AM:  Dog is dropped off...early.  BONUS...things are looking good.  I repeat to the client that I will need his dog until 3PM.  Simple, right?

12:30 PM:  Receptionist calls me, asking if the dog is done...uh...NO.  It'll be 3:00

1:30 PM:  I go up front to return a different dog to it's owner...the Lab's owner is there.  "When will my dog be done?"  Um...3:00.  Sorry.  (I just said I was sorry...I didn't mean it.) 

2:30 PM:  Receptionist calls back to me again.  "Is the dog done yet?" (They know the answer, of course, but have to ask, as the owner is standing right there) NO,  It'll be 3:00. 

I really didn't have the dog done yet...I had a ton of other dogs I was grooming..that actually made their appointment ahead of time.  Of course, now, even if I had been done..I wouldn't have let the dog go home before the agreed upon time.  He's really annoying me now.

3:10 PM:  He shows up for his dog...10 MINUTES LATE???  What is up with that??  Wow.

Surprisingly enough..he will have to make an appointment next time.  Go figure.

I'm not sure how that would work...

Me:  How do you like her hair trimmed?

Client:  I want it short, really short, so I don't have to do it again.

 ???

What I wanted to say:  Like...EVER??  That would be a big money saver for you, huh?? 

Rub a Dub Dub

Two Pugs in a Tub.

Breakfast in Bed

My friends on facebook have heard this one before, in fact it's one of the "sad but true" stories that caused a couple of them to encourage me to start this blog.  I felt it needed repeating on here.  I think you will agree.

Client:  I'm sorry she's matted today.  Someone put a pancake in our bed and the dog rolled in it.

Let's break this down.  Someone?  Like, you don't know who would've put it there???  What kind of household do you live in?  Just a pancake, no plate?   Most people at least blame the kids.  The dog rolled in it.  Huh.  I'm sorry she's matted today.  So, was it the syrup that caused the matting, or the actual act of rolling on the pancake that caused it?? 

I would've loved to ask all those questions, but it's really just easier to take the dog, smile and assure them it's no problem, so I guess I'll never know the answers.

Hair, hair, everywhere

There's a reason why people pay me to bathe dogs.  I'm not talking about haircuts, just baths.  Yes, I trim their nails and clean out their ears, and they smell amazing, when I'm done,  but de-shedding is the big attraction.   Many people are shocked at how many Labradors, Pugs, German Shepherds, and any variety of short-haired breeds I groom in a week.    They pay me to do something they could totally do themselves, right?    I get it, and you are correct.  They could do it themselves.  Here are some photos that may show why they don't.

1st of all, my secret weapon!  I love this thing.  No really, I love it.   I will post details about this baby sometime soon.

The victim.  120 pounds of handsome German Shepherd boy.  How'd you like to wrestle him into your tub at home? 

Here he is after I used the high-velocity blow dryer on him.  Yes, that is hair sticking to the wall of the bathtub.

This is the tub after he exited.  Yes, it took me some time to clean that up.  I sure wouldn't want that in my tub at home.  YUCK.

He then headed off to a drying cage for a while.  Here is what he looked like when I got him back out to finish him.

Even after all that coat came out in the tub, check out all the loose hair hanging on.  Time for me to start brushing..and brushing, and brushing, and more blowdrying.

Here are the tools I used today.  Yes..our dryer is old and we used duct tape to fix the hose..it still works great!  For some reason my Furminator didn't make it into this photo.  I will have to post about that wonderful product soon as well.

Here is the hair I removed from him after the bath.  I'm thinking the client's vacuum cleaner thanks me today.

And, the finished product, such a beautiful boy.

He actually wasn't blowing his undercoat as well as I would've liked, they probably could've waited another 3 weeks or so, as the weather around here seems to be affecting the shedding cycle on some of these dogs. 
These dogs are pretty labor intensive, but it's a very satisfying finished product. 

Confusing Client of the Day

Me:  How would you like her hair trimmed today?  It must be about time for her spring haircut.

Client:  Oh, I think it's too cold for that.  I want her buzzed up really short, but don't shave her.

???