Transfurmations

💜💜💜💜 Vale, Snowball 💜💜💜💜

Your hardest dog is your greatest teacher.
You were mine though no fault of your own.

I cannot thank your owner enough for constantly showing up for you the last few years, shutting the salon for private appointments never bothered me in the least.

Guardian breeds don’t forget when things go wrong. And while it wasn’t anyone’s fault (undiagnosed medical case, easily fixed) you certainly blamed me for it and never forgot to remind me of my place in your world.

At 15 years old it was your time. You exceeded the expectations of your breeds life span with every passing year.

Thank you for the lessons beautiful girl. You were a force to be reckoned with and I’ll never forget you

My thoughts are with your owner during such a tough time. # # #

Rest now, you deserve it.

💙💙💙💙 Deisel 💙💙💙💙

When you’re an old boy and your nanny books you in for for first professional groom.

First, let me preface this by saying that there’s nothing wrong with DIY grooming. I’ll never shame anyone for giving it a go themselves. As a general rule when a dog like this is booked in, I expect fight club and mentally prepare myself for the worst.

He’s been bathed and dried by his owner his entire life, I expected an argument. To my surprise and delight there was none even though he doesn’t love the blow dryer. He’s not snappy, he just lets out a yell once in awhile when he chooses but that’s nothing a little piece of chicken can’t fix 😂😂

He also doesn’t love other dogs and that’s okay. Covering a crate with a blanket works easily and the old boy took a nap happily without the stress of other dogs looking at him. As someone who owns a reactive dog myself, I completely get it and it’s why I don’t allow dogs to free roam in my salon. The risk is too high and not every dog should be expected to say hello.

Well done son, let’s see how you hold up on round 2 next month 🥰🥰

💙💙💙💙 Vale, Sweet boy 💙💙💙💙

Dear Leo,

(YES I’M FU***NG CRYING AGAIN!!!)

I didn’t have the privilege of grooming you for your entire life. Only the last few years of it. And what a ride you and your human took me on.

When your mum first called, I’m not going to lie, i genuinely thought she was going to be a drama queen client who would drive me insane… but the more questions I asked, the more i discovered she was just a frustrated human who kept getting crap advice and spending hundreds of dollars on grooming tools that weren’t designed for your coat. She fast became one of my favourite human visitors to the salon. We have shared so many laughs (and tears), talked outside of work hours (mostly about you, there may have been some non professional conversations thrown in there 😂)

And then the phone call I never wanted to get came on Tuesday morning, your body decided it was time, regardless of your age and activity level. 😞 you played in the yard and then decided to take a nap in your favourite spot outside, and didn’t wake up.

No one understands the how or why behind it, it was an awful shock that took everyone by surprise. And to think i had just groomed you days before, and it was one of the best sessions we have ever had.

The mad obsession you and your mum had for each other was beautiful, only you two could understand it. You knew when she was there without her ever saying a word or even making it through the door to pick you up.

Nick named “the town crier” for your over the top theatre performances, those appointments were never dull. Sometimes you’d refuse to get out of the car… now insert the memory of me coming out to the loading bay to bring you in because you refused to come in with your mumma 😂😂

Besides your ability to sing, you also had the ability to listen to my singing. I’d just pick a random song, no music and just bust out ridiculous lyrics for my own amusement and every time you’d shove your tongue in my ear in a desperate attempt to shut me up 😂😂 it never worked, I don’t shut up ever.

Our last appointment was one I will never forget. For the first time ever you didn’t try to fly kick me in the face when i worked on your feet and nails, the usual GSD whine was quieter than usual and i remember telling your mum how well behaved you were (you were rarely naughty, just super cheeky which always had me laughing)

I’m genuinely grateful to have been given the opportunity to have been your groomer. You and your owner hold such a special place in my heart (and your never ending hair in my salon)

Rest easy my beautiful boy, you’ve left a massive hole in the hearts of anyone who knew you, most of all your gorgeous mum who I will absolutely miss (we all know we could spend all day talking because neither of us know how to shut up 😂)

To your owner, I am so sorry, there is not a single person on this earth who will understand it from your perspective, we all grieve in different ways… humans might relate to the pain but we all navigate it in such different ways… know that no matter what that boy will never be forgotten and forever missed by me and remember, there’s no time limit on grief # # #

For anyone reading this, go and hug your dogs, and remember we never have them long enough so don’t waste a single moment of life… grab it and enjoy the ride no matter how long or short it may be.

💜💜💜💜 Vale, Tina 💜💜💜💜

The hardest decisions in life are often based on the health of our dogs and this one is definitely no different.

In typical cavalier style Tina always came in happy, even on days where the salon was a little more wild than usual.

Did I groom her? No. That was her mum’s job.
Did her mum do her nails? No, that was my job.

We had a good routine where she and her sister would visit every 2 weeks or so just to keep on top of their nails (which is such a dream for any groomer)

Sadly, true to form, Tina had an awful heart murmur that was worsening rapidly and her mum chose kindness and let her go with love today.

Tina was my little lion in a cavalier body. Even when it was scary, she rarely showed any fear. She’d simply look at me with the “let’s get this over with” look on her face and would absolutely thank me with kisses when I was done violating her feet.

Am I done crying yet? No. Will i cry again when i see her mum next? Absolutely.

Thank you Tina, for always trusting me with your feet, and showing Ellie that it’s not so scary. You’re a beautiful example of the breeds temperament and I will miss your visits. Eat all the nuggets and ice cream and I promise you don’t have to share with anyone.

Rest peacefully my darling girl. My heart absolutely breaks for your owner and sister tonight but we know your dad was there to meet you over the bridge

Sleep sweet and good night # # #

💜 Ashi & Love 💜

The exact reason I love a Golden Retriever.

Perfect table manners, they understand the assignment, they don’t freak out over vacuums, they crate well, and basically no 💩 given about much of nothing!

🥰🥰🥰🥰

See you next time girls!

💙 Max & Angus 💙

Learning the ropes early to set them up for a successful grooming life

Puppy tantrums were heard all round today with Max who will need some work to develop his confidence, where as Angus takes it all in his stride.

Can’t wait to keep watching these very special babies grow 🥰🥰🥰

Who made the most mess today?

Featuring Marley, Violet, Chase & Momo and Pepper.

5 dogs, 5 bleeding hair all about the place

😂😂😂😂

Who booked in 5 back to back desheds today?

💙💙💙💙 Dash 💙💙💙💙

Hello good people! I heard my brother Charlie was a good boy yesterday, thought I’d better up my game and decided I’d be an angel today and make a liar out of my groomer in the process.

You’re welcome!

😂😂😂😂

💙💙💙💙 Charlie 💙💙💙💙

Stand up and clap for him.

His first visit here was a total success and he behaved better than his brother Dash who had had multiple visits 😂😂

Sisters happen to own Charlie and his brother dash so the sibling rivalry game is strong 😂😂😂😂

Reasons number 1 and 2 as to why the vacuum was deployed before 9am 😂😂😂

Welcome back Meeko and Moira 💙💜