11/08/2024
How lucky are we to have friends we will love for their whole life?
As dogs get older, we adapt. We adapt to sore teeth, stiff legs, cloudy eyes, lumps, bumps, accidents, greying faces.
Our process with the dogs we care for will change over the years. The dogs we work with will inevitably change over time.
For our seniors, there are many approaches and modifications we can take.
We transition to one bath, we use a hammock to keep stress off their joints. We use the fluff dryers, or the kennel dryers instead of noiser, stronger channels. We avoid brushing the bumps and moles and cysts. We cover their ears from the noise. We book extra time for breaks and naps. We encourage them to sit, to try to relax. Instead of long, flowy cuts, we stick to shorter, more easily navigated styles.
The haircut goal becomes about what is going to be the most comfortable for the pet. The goal is always to do what we need to do with as little stress to our friends as possible, and we have to take extra care with our seniors.
I want to take some time to acknowledge that while us groomers work hard, your seniors work just as hard to keep up with us. To be patient, and kind, when we have to move their sore joints, when we are moving things close to their face when they can barely see.
It's hard on us, to watch their time come. It's hard to watch it come our way. Every new bump, every new wobble, every new sore. It's hard to say goodbye to dogs you've known for their whole life. Our job with them is very physical, and be. And we pour in as much love as we can, each time we have the privilege of working with them. We tell them it's okay that it hurts. It's okay that they pulled. It's okay that we aren't seeing them at their best. We just love them the best we can.
We love you, so much ❤️ thank you all for being superstars
