The Muddy Dog Salon

04/05/2024

Lovely to see this chap again today. He was right back into it - hasn’t forgotten a thing. He particularly enjoyed his face massage ❤️

31/08/2023

I am saying farewell to dog grooming.

I need to focus on my health, following an unexpected diagnosis. The twisting, bending and repetitive actions required to groom are exactly the movements I need to be avoiding right now, as I am at high risk of spinal fractures. As many of you will know, I broke my ankle in March. Many assumed this was whilst running, but it wasn’t. I was simply walking my dogs. I suspected something wasn’t right and requested a bone density scan, as osteoporosis is in older family members. I honestly didn’t really expect to get such a shock result though. I had thought there was maybe some bone deterioration, but was not expecting it to be as bad as it is.

That said, there is still the possibility I won’t suffer further fractures, but I’m determined to do everything possible to stay as healthy, mobile and strong as possible. That means reducing the risk and giving the meds a chance to take effect. This could be as long as 12 months, before I see an improvement.

As I come to terms with this change and what it means for me, I have decided to close my business and take a job where I can better control what movements I need to make, and can avoid the contortionist movements required for grooming.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last three years.

27/08/2023

Barley the Golden Doodle looking gorgeous as ever.

Barley was the last dog of the day today, after a busy Saturday for me.
Pattterdale, two greyhounds, Parson Russell Terrier, then the super chilled Barley. September is fully booked, so please plan ahead for your appointments.

23/08/2023

15/08/2023

And the last dog walk of the day….

It’s been a busy one today. And what a perfect evening to round it all off.

15/08/2023

Charlesworth! So good to be out on the moor with this boy again ❤️💜❤️

15/08/2023

Little Winnie and her lovely Mum ❤️🥰❤️💜❤️

15/08/2023

Happy Milo! ❤️🥰💜😀

04/08/2023

Rebus enjoys mantrailing on Dartmoor and sniffing for chickens when he visits me. He mostly enjoyed the hand strip though his favourite bits were … eating treats and sniffing for chickens 🐓🐶

26/07/2023

Final dog of the day, Jet.

Now almost totally deaf, we work together using hand signals and guiding/affirming touch.

Never a fan of nail clipping, a small game of ‘find it’ with a handful of treats scattered on the table, kept her busy for just long enough for me to clip those rather long fourth digit nails. I like to call it the fidget digit 😜

Jet also had a nice bath to wash away any traces of her accidentally getting in the way of Frankie 🫣😜 whilst out on a walk this afternoon.

26/07/2023

Second dog of the day was Sophie, in for her weekly bath and tidy up. Her coat is growing so quickly, which is great news, as she needs to level out those legs, to be in a nice puppy style for showing when she is six months old.

Could she be any more relaxed? 💜❤️🥰🐩

26/07/2023

Three dogs in today, the first was the lovely natural looking Ellie. Her coat is managed with a combination of hand stripping and thinning shears. We work together for an hour each time as she really prefers to be moving ❤️🥰

23/07/2023

Nice to see someone is relaxed….

22/07/2023

We were having so much fun in the salon that I forgot to get a photo of Winnie, so her Mum very kindly sent me some images post-groom.

Winnie has progressed from nervous, human-hugging puppy to independent stands on her own four feet superstar ❤️💕🎉🥰

20/07/2023

Light fades, the barn owl awakes, foxes calling. Frankie’s nose takes over as he is led by the scents around the paddock, walking an erratic path, the eyes taking a rest and allowing the nose and the ears to take over.

We stand together at the top of the hill watching colours wane, bats dip in and out of view, the only sounds now the sheep in a distant field and a vague hum of traffic passing over the Torridge Bridge just beyond the horizon.

My final dog duty of the day.

What a beautiful way to end an amazing day spent with dogs and their lovely guardians ❤️🥰

19/07/2023

Sophie… a sweet girl, still growing in her shape but it’s coming on nicely.

19/07/2023

Barley, looking super sleek today.

Bathed in for a natural finish. Vegan, organic, feeding the coat and skin, this shampoo is another favourite of mine.

18/07/2023

Would people be interested in some grooming tips videos, to help you manage your dog's coats at home?

As the cost of living increase continues to affect us all, I have noticed that many are extending out the time between grooms.

To help you, I would like to do some videos to show tips and tricks for brushing those hard to reach places, and how to help your dog to accept brushing areas they are not so happy with.

I will do the first video this week. If you would consider making a £5 donation to this CIC that I'm supporting, which helps families who are also experiencing financial hardship, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. My fundraising page can be found here.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Kathleen-Perry-for-CEET?utm_term=nJv4veer6