Hair Growth Weirdness

Today I had a friend and long time client ask me if I had knicked her big fluffy dog; an australian shepherd.  We always shave this dog down to merely no hair but not with his skin showing.  So, she continued to explain her concern.  She said near both hip bones he has hair turning in a circle.  And as I giggled listening to her I let her know that all that was is the hair growth.  Believe me, it's weird.  But, hair can change pattern anywhere.  I grooming a dog years ago; a little Shih Tzu.  She was adorable.  Her mom said to me one day "oh, it looks like Dede went a little shorter here under your neck".  In reality, the hair grew upward under the neck and downward everywhere else.  The hair growth is usually going down with the hair growth.  But, when hair goes the opposite direction or in a circle in the middle of nowhere it causes the cut to be shorter when the blade we use continues to go down stroke with the hair.  If we go against the grain of hair growth, the cut is shorter.
So, I told my friend/client that the spirals on both hips were change in hair growth.  I could hear how she dropped her chin and just said "NOW THAT IS WEIRD"  haha.  I thought it was hilarious.  But, it's just like a Ridgeback.  Ever hear of one of those pets?  Well, that's what they are known for; the ridgeback is hair growing against the grain causing the ridge.  Very Interesting!

To our hair growth weirdness.


Thank you,
Dede Croy
www.myfavoritegroomer.com

Catching a scar

Working in an outdoor environment on the weekends does take it's toll.  Whether its the weather; sustaining a canopy and supplies and products during a thunderstorm or cooking in 100 degree heat.  Every weekend we are somewhere following www.vaccinationstation.com doing nail trimming, ear cleaning, and more on pets.  But, in my experience I have found most of the scars I get from working with pets happens at one of these events and not in my groom shop.
Sunday I had a gentleman come over for a nail trimming on his pug.  He gave me no warning that his pet would spring around like a bumblebee on the table and at the same time zapping its nails across the inside of my forearm and on my wrists.  It took saying "NO" sternly and telling Dad repeatedly not to let go of his pet before I was done clipping every toe nail on this pet.  The cut on my hand that this pug skinned into my wrist will probably scar and last 10 months if not longer.  After all said and done.  The client paid 10$ and didn't tip at all for his pets crazy behavior.  He's not the first to turn the cheek when it comes to pet ownership.
I love what I do but I don't think people understand that having control over your pet is needed in every situation.  Whether you need to walk your pet daily so the pet learns who the boss is, learning how to hold your pet so it doesn't hurt someone else when things need to be done to it, or taking the pet in regularly for nail trimming so the pet can get used to it in due time.  Either way, the man saw the blood coming from my cuts and didn't even say sorry for it.  People, be aware of your pets actions and make sure you can control them.  YOU ARE THE LEADER believe it or not.  Just remember you are the one that sets the example.

Thank you,
Dede Croy
www.myfavoritegroomer.com

Today with a Senior

I just met a new client.  She arrived over 30 minutes late to her pets groom.  I had allotted her senior pet extra time for her groom since the pet was arriving unable to stand on it's back  leg very well and due to an allergic reaction to a metal pin in the leg bone it had an open wound its hip.  But, with her being so late I was so liery to do anything on the pet.  As it would possibly set me behind on my next groom.  So, I explained to the Mom some options we had.  We could make her a new appointment that might be two weeks out.  I felt bad about having to do that even though it wasn't my fault she was late.  I decided to ask her if she was interested in a low cost shave where I would get most bulk off this shedding chow mix.  But it would be an imperfect cut and it would be fast without any bathing.  It would be cheaper but less stressful on the pet too.  Which is hard to explain to someone who doesn't see what I could see in her pet.  We don't want to push your pet over the edge I told her.  All the while the dog was shaking.  Mom agreed on doing the low cost cut.  She didn't want any help unloading the pet from the rear of the vehicle.  The pet had also recently been diagnosed with loss of usage in the other leg as well just the week before.  After hearing Mom continue to explain the pets situation; They found this dog in a parking lot years ago at the same time their daughter was diagnosed with cancer.  After the pet recently sustained injuries they refused to put the pet down nor amputate the dogs leg which was all Veterinarian recommended.  As the dog waddled with a fabric grocery bag around the waist whilst Mom held the leash and bag to help the pet get around I just felt a huge amount of loss for the family.  They didn't want to let go of the one thing that carried them through their daughters cancer.  After over 30,000$ she explained of surgeries for this pet just last year alone I can't imagine what this senior pet has been through; over 9 surgeries!!  Mom let me get most of the back hair off before suddenly she decided the pet had enough of a groom for the day.  We closed with a very unfinished groom and I so badly wanted to recommend that Mom spend time with her pet but I just couldn't.  The pet was ill, nervous, and loved.  All in the same.  And I was just in awe, lost in thought about their situation.  As she waddled the pet out the door to start her way towards home so she could continue caring for her ill husband I felt overwhelmed with an emotion that I can't quite put my finger on.  We love our pets & our family members.  And sometimes things happen that you just can't let go of and you can't explain.  My heart goes out to this situation.

Dede Croy
My Favorite Groomer
http://www.myfavoritegroomer.com/

Pets Hate their Tails Groomed

I was grooming a pet yesterday and as I was shaving down it's tail to match the entire body's shave I remembered how much pets hate their tails messed with.  Their as bad with their feet as their tails.  I think the philosophy I have found is all the nerves in our body end in our tails or feet.  So, they are much more sensitive.  Maybe they don't end there but there are more there.  So, when a client hasn't brushed their pet in months and the tail is thickly tangled or if we just do a shave down and match the tail to the body.  Know that 99% of the time your pet HATES it.  They will swing the tail whipping it back and forth from me.  Or pull it under themselves as if to hide it from my clippers or brush.  It's hilarious.  Every once in awhile I'll get a dog that wants to bite me or attack me aggressively just by pulling the tail out from under him/her.  In those cases muzzles are my lifesaver.  Even though muzzles are not a 100% fix in the situation.  It does help to let me get in where I need to and do the work quickly without truly getting a full bite.

www.myfavoritegroomer.com