Kelly's Pet Grooming

05/23/2024

I am out of the shop until Wednesday, May 29th. If you leave me a message, I'll get back to you then. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

Pic for attention.... Dia ❤️❤️

05/07/2024

I just wanted to give a heads up that I'm out of the shop today and tomorrow (may 7th and 8th). If you leave me a message, I'll get back to you on Thursday when I have my book. If you need nails clipped, I'll be in Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can just stop in between 9:30 and 12.
I've gotten quite a few voicemails lately that I can't hear or understand the caller. It sounds like a bad connection. If you've left me a voicemail and I haven't responded, always try again, message me here, or send a text message. 😀

Pic for attention- This handsome old man is Soot. ❤️ this is what a shih tzu looks like when I make them short haired. 😀

05/02/2024

Most puppies go through this. It takes them a minute to understand that when my fingers are on their chin they need to sit still. All that new stuff going on in their face is scary. The younger you teach this, the easier it is. Ones that seem to struggle with it, I'll show their parents how I do it. That when they sit still for a couple seconds to let go, pet them and tell them they're good, with low energy. You don't want to build excitement but you want them to understand, sitting still is what you're asking them to do. This also comes in handy if they ever need eye or ear meds.

05/01/2024

A lot of times as dogs get up in years it isn't about giving them a cute haircut. It's about comfort and no free wart removals 😉. Older dogs, especially poodle and poodle mixes get a lot of warts and other growths. They can weep and get crusty. She's sweet, happy and active with a little bit of doggie dementia. At this stage in life, a successful grooming is the hair off, no knicks on growths and as stress-free as possible.

05/01/2024

Little Winnie got a big girl hair cut

04/24/2024

"Dog's hate being groomed"
Fenway disagrees ❤️
I have quite a few big dogs that love being on the table. A few that I can't let loose unless the table is lowered, they'll still try jumping even if the table is too high

04/20/2024

Aww.... I hope it just took a stroll and wasn't abandoned.

I have gone home!

Dog found at Old Town Hannaford.
Call (207)827-8777 to claim

04/12/2024

Since I've been on a roll with my great advice....
If you have a dog that doesn't like it's nails being clipped, see a groomer. It's what we do. Some dogs have very sensitive toenails, if you get close to the quick they feel it, others you can cut into it and they don't even notice. I hear a lot "it took 3 or 4 people to hold him/her down to do it's nails". I personally believe this should never be done. I couldn't imagine being nervous or not wanting something done and having people pin me down. If it's to the point a groomer can't do it safely, have your vet give them a sedative. The more you physically restrain an animal, the more they fight back. I have a really good, stern "mom voice" when I say "what are you doing" or "knock it off" most listen very well. I allow owners to stay during walk-in nail clips but I don't let them talk to their pet. Pets are like kids and behave better then their parents aren't involved. If your anxious about doing it, the animal senses it and thinks there's something to worry about. So, let a groomer try. If they can't do it, get your vet to sedate them. Don't put you, your friends, veterinarian's staff and mostly your pet through unnecessary stress.

Pic for attention is my girl. 😀

04/12/2024

Another baby! Presley was such a good girl.
Dogs don't come out of the womb knowing how to behave while being groomed. Standing on a grooming table, having a stranger in their personal space, lifting their legs, hold their head still, the sounds of clippers and hair dryers, the feel of combs, brushes and clipper blades on their skin is all knew. Presley did awesome and I think we're buddies now. ❤️

04/11/2024

I compare pets going to the groomer with people going to the dentist. Not everything I do is pleasant. Plucking ears, expressing glands, picking out eye gunk, dematting. And most dogs have something they don't like nails being clipped, tail being lifted, touching their front legs, standing up, or holding their head still. I compare it to going to the dentist because if you start going when you're young and have good experiences, when you have to deal with something unpleasant or uncomfortable, it's easier to tolerate. You trust your dentist is going to do it as quickly and comfortably as possible.
I love starting babies! Making sure their first experience is a positive one, they're going to have a lifetime of grooming, and it's hard on everyone if they hate it. I got to do 2 today. 😀
Little black Opal is only 3 months old. Most puppies her age wouldn't handle it as well as she did. She's so mature for her age and super sweet. Her mom wanted her to have a big girl haircut. I left her puppy ears and tail because she's still a baby.
Lulu is about 10 months old. She had some matting from her hair getting wet and her adult coat transitioning while the puppy coat was still there, but she handled it like a pro. She's a very nice little dog and that beautiful red hair. 😍
I also added a picture to explain why I don't post more pictures. I took about 15 trying to get a good shot of Lily. I finally gave up. She'd look at me and as soon as I went to take the picture she'd look away. My photo gallery is full of either blurry pics or just the side of dog's heads.

04/09/2024

Ticks are out. 😞

04/08/2024

I would suggest just leave them home, most will be happier napping on the couch. I don't think they're as interested as we are. (Kind of like fireworks and parades) but, if you're going to take them for the ride, here is what the emergency vet says. 😀

04/06/2024

**read before commenting****
I don't post a lot of examples to try to educate people because the comments end up bad mouthing the owners and I hate that!! Don't do it! No "that poor animal","neglect", "abuse" or anything else you might think will p**s me off!
These dogs are really nice, well loved pets. I just think people don't understand what goes into grooming especially, a poodle mix. If anyone is considering getting one, depending on the size you need to understand you need to budget $25- $75 a month for grooming fees. These aren't dogs that can go months without grooming.
I've done 3 in the last 2 days. My hands are on fire! It takes an hour more to groom one that's matted like this. And I'm going to charge accordingly. This is hard on me, my equipment and isn't fun for the animal to have to stand on the table that long. The blades don't just glide over like on a dog without mats, it pulls, it's uncomfortable. They get mats between their toes, paw pads, private areas. It's hard to get the mats off without knicking or burning. Again, if you're thinking of getting a poodle mix, talk to a groomer and get tips on taking care of it's coats, find out how much it will be to maintain it's coat. If you have one, mats will never go away on their own. It's best to stay on a regular schedule but if you don't, once they start matting make an appointment before it gets bad.

03/26/2024

They're playing how much of Kelly's parking can we take up during her busiest time of the day... grrrrrrr!

03/22/2024

I'm asked often if I brush dogs teeth.... I don't. If you start your dog young and brush it's teeth daily, it would probably tolerate it and be beneficial. Me wrestling dogs to brush their teeth for 2 minutes once every couple months will do nothing to help prevent or remove tartar build up. This is a way to boost income by making owners feel they're doing best for their pets. I could do it and charge $10-15 but I feel like I'd be scamming you because it wouldn't help. Your pet might have beefy smelling breath for a few minutes but a soft tooth brush isn't going to take months or years worth of built up tartar away.
My tips for teeth- avoid soft foods and treats, give hard things for them to chew on that will scrape the teeth. If they'll let you, you could wipe along their gumline after they eat, so no food just sits there. Know that small dogs teeth tend to rot out quicker. Listen to your vet about professional cleanings. They can use metal tools to scrape them.
My dogs love RAW chicken bones; legs, thighs and feet work well. Raw bones don't splinter like cooked ones, they're hard enough to scrape the teeth but can be chewed up and digested without wearing their teeth down. Some people get worried about them being raw. Dogs and wild animals kill and eat birds all the time. They're definitely an outside treat, you wouldn't want the residue on your floors or couch.

03/21/2024

Because my son has a few Dr's appointments and the fact I've worked 3 Saturdays in a row..... I have a 4 day weekend! I'm in today. I wouldn't recommend venturing out for a nail clip, unless you like nasty roads and cold wind. 😀 feel free to call if you need to schedule a grooming appointment though. Next week I'll be in Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. As always, no need to call about nail clips, you can just stop in between 9:30 and 12 those days.

03/18/2024

I had someone come in last week telling me about how her dog had been cut at another grooming shop. I had seen the dog for a nail clip a few weeks before and it's coat was pelted to the skin.
This is what our blades look like. All it takes is a little piece of skin to get between the teeth and come in contact with the cutting blade to knick the skin. There are a dozen places on a dog that the skin can easily get between the teeth but when they're matted it's easier for the skin to get pulled up into the blade. I've done it. I had a shih tzu with a matted belly and I hit a ni**le. She had to go to the vet for a stitch.
I'm sharing this because I felt bad for the groomer being bad mouthed. Also, to explain just how easy it is to cut their skin. Matted hair, behavioral issues, older dogs have less collagen, there are lots of factors that make grooming more difficult and none of the groomers I know would intentionally hurt an animal.

03/12/2024

I guess the doctor was right and my foot pain was an infection.... I'm guessing it was a hair splinter since I haven't had any injury. If you've called in the last few days and I didn't return your call, I'm sorry. I've been trying to get done and get home to put it up. Antibiotics are kicking in and it's feeling better (I can step on my whole foot now). Fortunately for me, my son has appointments tomorrow and Thursday so I can rest it up. If you're looking to book an appointment give me a call Friday or Saturday (if you send a message, I'll get back to you then) If you're looking for a nail clip, no need to call just pop in Friday or Saturday between 9:30 and 12. 😀

03/10/2024

02/18/2024

I've held off as long as I could on raising my prices again. It's been a couple years but inflation and cost of running my shop as greatly increased. In the past I had done increases across the board. This time it's going to be time based. I have dogs that come in every 4-6 weeks and I feel my current prices are fair. These pets don't need a pre-cut before their baths. Those will stay at $50 for small ones and $75 for large. If your pet goes longer (8 weeks or more) it needs a pre-cut. Which means haircut, bath and then another haircut. This takes a lot more time, effort and wear on my equipment clipping dirty coats. I'll be charging $15 more for little dogs and $25 for big ones. If they're matted or have difficult behavior it could be more. It will all depend on how long it takes me.
I won't be increasing my walk-in nail clips. I feel $10 is fair.

Spring is coming and I'm going to see a lot more pelted coats come in. These take 3 times as long to shave off, kill my hands and shoulders and are a lot for dogs to have to stand through. I'll be charging accordingly for the time it takes.

I provide grooming for your dog or cat in a loving atmosphere. We love to have them visit us for the

01/19/2024

Because of the fire and ice thing this weekend, I'm switching and rescheduling my dogs to Sunday. I just think there will be too much commotion and distractions for the dogs, especially since the food trucks are on water street. People will be parked on my side of the street making it difficult to get in and out. So, if you're looking for a nail clip this weekend, you can stop in Sunday between 10:30 and 1.

If you go to the fire and ice event. Dress warm! It's gonna be cold.

01/15/2024

Reminder.... if your pet is coughing, don't bring it here or anywhere that other dogs will be. Even if your pet is vaccinated for kennel cough, it can still get it and spread it. Also, you should call and talk to your veterinarian. The "mystery virus" is in this area and if it's that, early treatment is necessary to protect their lungs from pneumonia.
I won't take a dog in that is coughing.

01/09/2024

Everyone has rescheduled for tomorrow. So, I won't be in the shop. I will be in Friday and Saturday if you're looking for nail clips, you can pop in between 9:30 and 12.
Stay safe, and hopefully the storm tomorrow is milder than the last one!

01/06/2024

Can't be all work and no play. 😀

12/30/2023

We found this girl on West Old Town Road. She is currently at the Old Town Animal Orphanage.

12/23/2023

I will be out of the shop until Thursday the 28th. If you call or message me I will get back to you then. I'd like to say thank you for all the Christmas cards, gifts and sweets 😋 I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

12/23/2023

Let's face it, it's been a crappy week! Come join us tomorrow night for some holiday cheer! We are receiving word there could be guest appearances by Rudolph and the Grinch!

12/20/2023

The word from Mr. Cyr:
Good Evening RSU 34 Families. We are advising all families to have a plan in the event that we have to cancel school tomorrow. Conditions in RSU 34 have not changed from this morning with much of the region still without power. There are multiple road closures due to downed trees and wires preventing safe passage of school buses. Old Town Elementary remains without heat and power in all classrooms.
4 of 5 schools do not have working phones. We are working with local public safety officials, including PEMA, and have not received any indication as to when power will be restored. If conditions do not change by morning, we will have no choice but to cancel school for another day--a message will be sent out early tomorrow morning with this decision. Thank you for your patience. Be safe!

07/09/2022

If you have friends and family in the area, please share. Thank you