07/16/2023
"Just a dog Groomer"
It was me, who kept the patience while your Bella struggled through a puppies very stressful, wiggling first groom. And their second. And their third. Fourth. Fifth....until finally the light bulb turns on and maturity happens. It was just me- loving what I do, for the same price as a mature, still, pet.
It was me, who accepted your terrified, nippy, matted shelter dog with open arms and taught them to trust a stranger. It was me, with urine in my lap, skin flakes on my smock, and a**l glands in my hair- when their tangle-free skin felt more relief than ever before.
It was me, who stayed late, unpaid, when your daughter had a school play and you thought hubby got the dog and he thought you did. Both your phones were on silent.... It was me when your dad had alzhimers and got lost I stayed till 10pm that day so Biscuit wouldn't be all alone and afraid, even though she didnt even know me and i never saw either of you again. It was me, when you fell asleep after work when they changed your shift and you left Bruno at the shop for hours. And again on my moms birthday when I had dinner reservations and you were nowhere to be found I had to re wash Cooper and Cleo when they pooped in the crate, cuz you were late. It was me- NOT making you feel like garbage. It was me showing empathy when due. (Imagine that in this era- treating a human with understanding)
It was me who groomed your parents dog for free when they fell on hard times.
It was me who worked 28 days straight with no day off after covid restrictions were lifted in 2020. For the love of your dogs, my elbows will never be the same again- but I couldn't sit at home one single day knowing how many of my clients pets were uncomfortable, matted, developing hot spots or ingrown toenails and ear infections from lack of grooming.
It was me, who helped find your sisters dog a loving home with a co-worker when she went in a nursing home.
It is me, who never turns away a shelter pet in need of a pro-bono groom.
It was me- who took your dog and groomed it when no one else could....or would...and I have the scars to prove it.
It is me, grooming a dog at a discount just to bribe the owner to come in on a regular for the well being of their pet when I already have a full schedule of properly priced, well mainteained dogs.
It was me, who told you Chole p*ed blood today and it was the vet who told you she had cancer but it was fate that she lived another 3 years because of red p*e on my white tile.
It IS me- sobbing hysterically into the coat of the dog I'm currently grooming: because I know she's aging terribly and I'm always afraid this is our last spa day together. It is me, struggling to dodge her many moles, lumps and bumps thru my tears as they creep up. It is me- trying not to let the new apprentice see me blubber in a moment of vulnerability and heartache.
It is my heart breaking with yours when it's time to say goodbye to our fur-angels. It's me, waking up in the middle of the night to have a good cry Over someone else's pet that I'll never see again. I've known some of these dogs longer than I've known my husband. This crap hurts and even after 12 years it doesn't get easier. If anything, chances are I've known the poor dog longer, and it hurts even more.
It's me, who remembers your pets favorite (and most hated) things. Dexter always wants a tennis ball. Marley needs a recess to run off energy before he can focus for his face trim. Max likes to play hockey with the zoom groom in the tub. Summit is allergic to chicken and needs special treats. Cooper can't have perfume and Bella has sensitive privates. Don't pluck Mannys ears cuz they get infected easily. Watch Sam's a**l glands they get full and infected. Abby tends to have ulcers under those eye boogers, and her mouth hurts, so move her face gently while trimming. Oliver doesn't like the dryer, so pre shaving is a necessity. Dutchess won't let you do anything after touching her feet, so do those last (Face first !) Theo has to go in the body hammock for his legs to ease his arthritis.....
It IS me who advocates for your dog's comfort and mental well-being when I shave the matting and tangles. Brush AND COMB your dog. I won't torture them as an afterthought. Ripping on matted hair will cause them pain, this pain they will associate with the grooming process and it will set them up for failure in the future, make them hate grooming and it will make them aggressive for the process.
It is me- who gets told I charge too much when my take home commission after taxes is less than they are paying employees at Target or Wal-Mart. Everything is expensive. I deserve a living too.
It's me- spending thousands of dollars on equipment and continued education to provide the best service I can for my clients to be told that it's my job to get bit. It's NOT my job to allow these dogs to disfigure, or destroy my body. A proper bite to the hand or face/eye can end my career that I've worked very hard for and love very much... the constant jerking/ thrashing and pulling from a dog that weighs almost as much as I do puts a lot of stress, strain and destruction on my joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. It's hard on my body, it's physical labor and I do it for 8 to 10 hours a day, four to five days a week.
Regardless I love this job and it's the only thing I've thoroughly enjoyed as a career for the last 12 years... I'm only 37 and shouldn't be feeling like I played pro-football at the end of the day. Train your dog. Don't get mad when I tell you they were naughty either. I openly communicate with my clients so that they don't have unrealistic expectations of The Grooming process. Your dog will get the best haircut I can give them. But if they are matted or uncooperative, don't expect perfection, and do expect to have "homework" in the form of brushing or training. I am just a human being. This is not a Disney movie and singing them does not hypnotize them to listen to me, no matter how badly I want it to.
