29/01/2022
It is difficult seeing Gypsy Pawsh's Facebook memories pop up some days. I formed attachments with soooo many senior pets last year, and with so much excitement in my first year of business, i failed to prepare my heart that it would be the last year of their lives. So this post is just in remembrance.
(This is a long one, yall!)
**these are all A+ owners and A+ pets**
Lennox: lennox was a very sweet, gentle german shepherd with advanced hip displasia inhibiting his use of his rear legs. I purchased a special waist hoist made to help mobility so i could take him for a brief walk before grooming so he could go potty before service. His entire service he would lay on one side and flip over for the other side (in the bath, and then for drying). He always left my shop looking fresh, and he always seemed excited to see me. On my last visit i remember arriving and seeing him playing with a butterfly, happily barking as it took flight and then landed beside him again. It was probably the cutest thing ever.
Roxy: roxy was a senior golden retriever. She walked very slowly and had to be assisted with getting into the tub. She also enjoyed laying down for her service. Despite her age, she always had a cute fluffy coat that i loved, and she was very affectionate!
Roxie: Roxie was a king charles cavalier bichon mix. Her coat type was much like a bichon, and her genetics just made her the sweetest little energetic dog. I was able to achieve some really cute grooms on her and she was always willing to allow me to shape her face super cute and round. Although she was a whopping 13 years old she held her energy, happiness, and mobility til the very end thanks to her very attentive mom's dedication and frequent vet check ups. Her mom even prepared a meal for me to take home once and said, "i know you stay busy so take this home for your family today!" 🥰
Soupy: soupy was a super senior shih tzu. Mom is extremely sweet, and she always did whatever was in soupy's best interest. Soupy had eye infections in her senior life, which is not atypical for the breed. Each appt we got her eye area cleaned really well and id do the cutest big fluffy legs on her. The family called her fluffy legs her muscles! Soupy came in on her visit 1 day, and something was off. When i saw her eye had taken a turn for the worst and she was extremely lethargic, i gently combed her out, gave her a bow, and brought her back to the door. I explained i had not done the bath or groom because i could tell she was not feeling well so the combing and bow were free in hopes she could get well... Since her gums were pale, her eye was sunken, and she seemed lethargic, i explained i would recommend calling the vet. They went to the vet and pointed out the issues, and the vet said it was soupy's time.
Roman: Roman was the biggest most regal looking mastiff ever! He had such a fascinating life story and he wore his wisdom on his face. I was nervous accepting him as a new client since the only dog i was ever bitten by in my grooming career was a mastiff, but this guy was a real teddy bear. He made me fall in love with him and the breed. Early on, i noticed a slight bladder incontinence and slight gait irregularity which i pointed out to his mom. It was minor so we just sort of tabled it, but as it became more pronounced, she explored every avenue for answers (including vet research facilities and all). I recommended a vet in hattiesburg, dr. blake crawford, and i spoke with him about the gait explaining i felt it was something spinal. He found a pinched nerve in the spine and roman had extensive surgery, so i was hopeful he would get better, but due to the hardening on his bladder and a mass found on his heart, i only got to see roman a couple of times after this. I saw him so regularly and i ugly-cried beside him hugging him on what i knew was likely our last visit. Roman was truly amazing on every level.
Lucy: lucy was a very adventurous doodle who loved jumping in the pond and swimming every chance she got. To any doodle owners reading this, YALL KNOW that leads to matting! Haha. At each visit, i would detangle the areas i could to save a little face and tail fluff, but she mostly was a short-kept adventurer lol. She was sweet for grooming, and taken before her time. Mom called me sobbing explaining there had been an unforeseen accident .. lucy is probably swimming in heaven's finest ponds now without ever getting a tangle in her lush poodley coat.
Bella: bella was a senior bulldog who i absolutely loved. She was allergic to everything, deaf, and blind. I absolutely loved her though. I would arrive, and hold my hand infront of her so she could smell that i was there. It was the only way for her to notice me so i wouldnt startle her by picking her up. After she sniffed a minute, she knew the lift was coming. I always cleaned her really well with the igroom hypo-allergenic shampoo. (If you have pets with allergies i recommend this!! It cleans just as well as regular wash and has a nice NATURAL HYPO-ALLERGENIC scent most hypo-washes dont offer!) I always knew when i got her back inside she was going to get all the love and cuddles because she looked and smelled so great! =)
Lexie: Lexie was a small older yorkie. I never met her actual owner, but her owner's mom had me come every 2 weeks. Lexie would leave her house and go to grandma's every day haha. I enjoyed working with her and we tried out different styles every couple of weeks. When i started seeing lexie, i noticed she needed dental care so grandma scheduled and got it done. This did prolong her life a while, but i really wish it could have been longer! This little pup had such a sweet, happy demeanor and i always looked forward to seeing her happy little face!
To any of my grooming friends, please take the time to love on every dog each groom because you never know when it may be the last visit. Even amidst a pandemic, we can still hug our little furry clients and let them know we care.
To my clients, just know when you get your pets back, they are freshly hugged, and possibly kissed 🤣🤣 if they get nervous during grooming, they probably get hugged the most haha.
