Category: groom

Grooming with Mom: Molly and Dixie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

This is Lucy, with Happy Tuesday’s edition of Grooming with Mom. But first, a big shout out to Miss Sandee at  Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Groomer Mom was covered up with grooms all of December, and I hope you’ll forgive this Ace Reporter for being lax in reporting new grooms. Here I present you with one new groom and a second-timer. Hold onto your seats, cause here we go!

Late one evening Groomer Mom got a call from someone who apologized for the late evening call, but that he was a lawyer and had been tied up in court. Well, while some lawyers may deserve to be tied up in court, I never knew that actually happened! I wonder what he did?

Anyhow, he claimed that three folks he interacted with in his downtown condo complex and doggie group told him he had to bring his pup, Molly, to Groomer Mom to get groomed. They talked a while, and he seemed legit — except for that tied up in court part. He wanted Molly to have a teddy bear cut. Groomer Mom asked him if she had ever had one. No. And did he know what a teddy bear cut was. No. She suggested he look it up on-line. So they made an appointment for him to make the half hour drive out here in two weeks and she would see what Molly’s hair would do.

Here’s Molly pre-groom:

Molly is a one-year-old, eleven pound shih tzu/bichon frise mix, aka shih-chon. She was crazy on the table and even in her Dad’s arms while trying to get her nails cut and pretty much everything else. It finally reached a point where Groomer Mom hung her head, trying to figure out how to tell the lawyer man she couldn’t groom his dog, while he sat there chattering and anticipating a teddy bear cut, whatever that is. Finally, Groomer Mom told him that she was going to cover Molly’s eyes while he went through the door into the hallway where there were comfortable chairs. And for him to be very quiet so Molly didn’t know where he was. He did — guess he didn’t want to get tied up again — and within a minute Molly settled down and let herself be groomed. Of course, in that minute there were some meaningful finger shakings and looks from Groomer Mom, after which Molly proved herself to be a smart little shih-chon.

Her Dad had also provided Groomer Mom with a picture of another dog, saying that was the groom he would like. (It wasn’t a teddy bear cut.) Groomer Mom did the exact cut she was shown, right down to the strange cut over the eyes.

OK, so she clipped that little bit over Molly’s right eye after she took the picture. She released Mr. Lawyer Man from the hallway, and he was thrilled with the groom. He made an appointment for six weeks.

Some of you may remember Dixie, who came for her first groom in August when she was two months old. Here she is after that groom, crazy ears and all.

Groomer Mom suggested she be groomed every six weeks. Her Mom must have heard, “When she is six months old.” She came back in December for her second groom. This mini poodle/Australian shepherd mix had really grown! It had been so long that she forgot anything she had learned the first time here, and it was like a first groom all over again!

Her Mom stayed and helped hold her, and it ended up being a success. (I also assisted with my zen presence.)

That’s all for now, friends and followers. This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with two challenging but successful grooms.

Awww Monday Grooming with Mom

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia16 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter with another episode of WG(rooming) W(with)M(om). And many thanks to Miss Sandee at  Comedy Plus  for hosting Awww Monday! 

I mentioned in a previous report that dog breeds seem to come to Groomer Mom in three’s. We now have another two of the breed King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. A new family moved in just up the road and they saw the now-leaning-against-a-pole-next-to our-driveway grooming sign. They told Groomer Mom that it had been four months since the pups were groomed. They took them to one of the big box pet stores and the groomer there “did an awful job.” Now it was Groomer Mom’s turn! We think the Cavalier’s’Mom was already impressed when Groomer Mom started talking about how that breed should look, and what she planned on doing and also NOT doing as a groom for them.

First up is Mr. Chester, who is 6 years old and about 16 pounds. We don’t have any “before” pictures, because the groom is so minimal. It’s the bathing and drying time that really adds up!

Chester is a sweet, loving, outgoing boy, leaving a big kiss on Groomer Mom’s nose! Notice he still has the Cavalier trademark, the “feathers” on his feet!

His sister, Miss Dixie, is next. She’s quite shy, but still gave Groomer Mom a little kiss on her hand.

Their Mama stayed and held them for their nails. This reporter thinks it was just an excuse for her and Groomer Mom to visit and get to know each other a bit, as the pups gave no resistance. We found out that they recently moved here from Southern California, where, according to their Mom, things were getting a bit too “crazy” for her to stay. They chose Chattanooga on a whim, and are loving it here.

The Cavaliers’ Mom was delighted when she came to pick up her precious pups, and said they now officially have a new groomer!

Lucy Ace Report signing off with two more successful grooms!

Grooming with Mom on Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia33 Comments

Many thanks to Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday! And thanks to all my readers for joining me in another episode of Grooming with Mom.

Even though Groomer Mom’s business cards and sign reads, “Small Dog Grooming,” we had another large dog on the table this past week.

Chia: It seems like they just keep sneaking in.

Lucy: No Chia, they are scheduled.
While Groomer Mom also worked at the Jewish synagogue, she promised her young co-worker that she would teach her how to groom her new puppy. Fast-forward four months, and the Golden Doodle is six months old and ready for her first groom. This is Willa, another precious puppy who has never had an accident in the house, never chewed anything, never misbehaved, never run off…Riley, Chia and Xena are trying hard not to hate her.

Willa’s Mom, who we will call L, used to help her Mom groom their shih tzus, so she’s been around the block once or twice. Groomer Mom demonstrated how to do a particular grooming task, then handed the tool to L to do it. Seems that L is what’s called “a natural.” She’s very artistic, so we think that helped. After a couple of hours, the “masterpiece” was finished.

Hi, I’m Willa, and I was a good girl for my first groom.

Groomer Mom emailed to L the Amazon links of the tools she will need. With that, we say bye bye to sweet Willa knowing she’s in good hands.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off ’til next time, with *wags* and *smiles*.

Grooming with Mom: Theo on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Hey there folks, this is Lucy, Ace Reporter, reporting to you with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Let’s shout out a huge thanks to Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

We get emails every week from Dogs Naturally, where we learn lots of stuff about good nutrition. They’ve been giving us a little quiz with one question each time, so we thought it would be fun to share those. Here is this week’s:
Which breed’s name means “curly small dog?” Answer at the bottom of this post.

Groomer Mom got what she thought was the strangest call ever from someone wanting a groom. The person said he has a miniature schnauzer whose groomer retired, and he couldn’t find anyone to give his dog a good groom. Then he saw a schnauzer with a great cut, a real “schnauzer” groom, and asked the owner where she took her dog. You can see where this is going, right? So far, nothing strange. The strange part is that he lives in Dalton, GA, which is almost an hour from us. We’ve had people drive 30 minutes, but not an hour! Groomer Mom even asked him if he was sure he wanted to come this far, and he assured her he did.

Theo – short for Theodore – is on the tall side for a mini at 20 pounds. He’s solid, though, no fat to make up those pounds. This is his “before” picture.

Theo’s legs and feet were very matted and a bit of scissoring and shaving had to happen to remove the worst of the mats. The last groomer had cut the hair straight cross that was growing out of his ears, instead of pulling it out. Groomer Mom growled a bit about that, and Theo sat perfectly still while he was tortured all that hair got pulled out. However, he absolutely would not allow his nails to be cut or have the Dremel used. His Dad holding him didn’t help and hanging him in the sling (you’ve seen Chia in it) didn’t help, either. Finally, Groomer Mom asked Theo’s Dad if he wanted her to stop, and he said yes. In the end, his groom was the same as our Xena’s!

Theo was happy cause he got lots of treats and his Dad was happy cause he loved the cut! He said he’ll be back next time Theo needs groomed, and promised to keep him combed out in between.

TRIVIA ANSWER
The breed whose name means “curly small dog” is the Bichon Frise. Bichon means a small, toy or lap dog, and frisé means curly. 

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another episode of Grooming with Mom! (*wags*)

Grooming with Mom on Thankful Thursday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

I am Lucy, Ace Report, welcoming you to another episode of Grooming with Mom. Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Hello, dear Readers. It’s time to report on another new groom. A young couple moved into our neighborhood – across the street and one house down from us – a few months ago. A quick note that the other pups living here are determined to stop by to welcome them with some pee mail! The man with the same name as my Dad saw Groomer Mom’s *grooming sign and made an appointment to have their 13-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel groomed.

*Perhaps a quick background on that sign is in order. Shortly after Groomer Mom revived her grooming career in our new house, she mentioned to Groomer Helper Dad that she was going to have a sign made and put it in the front yard. G.H. Dad actually laughed and said, “Do you really think that’s going to bring in clients?”

Of course, Groomer Mom just went ahead with her plan. Now, many years and three signs later, she has quite a few people who have become “regulars” because they saw her sign! This is the current one.

Back to Everly. She was rescued from a cruel puppy mill several years ago. At the puppy mill her tail was docked to “provide better access.” This reporter is not quite sure what that means, just that Groomer Mom choked back tears when she heard this. Everly is a quiet “soul”, gentle and cooperative. Her Mom said they named her Everly because they were giving her a for-“ever” home!

Everly’s Mom wanted her shaved, and her ears left long. Her “before” picture isn’t as dramatic as many of the first-timers’.

A groom, a few treats, a bath and a little over an hour later, she looked like this:

We think she even looks happier! She tied Maggie, the poodle/shih tzu mix for our Best Behaved on the Groom Table Pup. And since she was even better at getting a bath than Maggie, we think Everly may take the lead!

We’ve noticed that some things, such as different dog breeds, really do “come in three’s.” Mom and Dad’s good friend brought her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, River, to Groomer Mom a couple of weeks ago. That was the first one. Now we have Everly. Who will be next?

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with another successful groom.

Grooming with Mom: Toby

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Many thanks to  Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Today we have another new poodle puppy to introduce. Toby is five months old and never been groomed. I, Ace Reporter, personally met and interviewed Toby. First, Toby’s “before” picture.

Under all that hair is a sweet, 3 pound baby. Groomer Mom’s original plan was to brush him out (that’s a grooming term) and take a couple of inches off that mop, all the way around. But the brush wouldn’t go through his hair. The comb wouldn’t go through his hair. She sprayed him with a de-matter and used the de-matting tool, and it wouldn’t go through his hair. His mats were almost to the skin; there was no way to get some sharp shears there without risking cutting him. So next, Groomer Mom tried a long, #5 blade. It wouldn’t go through the mats. She then moved to a #7 blade, which cuts a little shorter, with blades closer together. Sure enough, with a little work, it found it’s way through. Of course, Groomer Mom also had to use the table strap to keep the little guy on the table and not trying to crawl on her shoulders while being groomed. Here he is again, partway through and wondering what this thing is around his body.

It was at this point that the groom got really tricky.

“Do NOT shave my front legs! Do NOT put that noisy shaver near my throat! Do NOT cut my nails!” declared little Toby with his screams, his teeth, his claws and all his energy to fight. It was at this point that Groomer Mom unstrapped him, carried him upstairs to Groomer Helper Dad and said, “I need help. Now.”

Groomer Helper Dad went downstairs, taking this reporter with him. At that point, I was wearing my proverbial Zen hat. While I sent calming thoughts Toby’s way, Groomer Helper Dad held him, got peed on, got scratched, and nearly dropped him. Then Groomer Mom wrapped Toby in a towel and pulled out or uncovered only the body parts she needed to work on. Groomer Helper Dad agreed to a picture as long as he remained anonymous. I’ll look up what that word means later…

The towel actually worked better than my zen thoughts, if you can believe that! Toby calmed right down and the groom was able to be completed. Here he is after his bath and touch-up.

Since Toby’s Mom couldn’t pick him up for 30 minutes, Groomer Mom brought him upstairs and put him in Xena/Chia’s kennel. Xena and Chia immediately ran up and started barking at him, which our Mom immediately put a stop to, saying, “Stop that! How could you be so hateful to this poor little puppy?!” Xena harumphed and walked away, but Chia decided to stay and try to make friends with him.

In the end, Toby’s Mom – who had never before had an “indoor” dog – loved the cut and understood why it had to be different from what was planned. She bought a grooming comb from Groomer Mom and made a new appointment for six weeks from now. She also told Groomer Mom that her 7-year-old son was very worried about leaving Toby. He asked his Mom how they knew they could trust “that lady” they left him with. She explained that his great-aunt brought both of her Yorkies (Molly and Cooper) here, and that she would never do anything to endanger them. Groomer Mom suggested that the boy be given a chance to stay and help during the next groom, so that option will be presented when Toby returns in October.

Lucy, Ace Reporter and Zen Master, signing off with another successful groom.

Grooming with Mom: Tucker

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here on the Groom Beat.
Today, we have only half a story. The ending has not yet been determined.

I know you’re all used to seeing cute pups come in looking a mess and go out all spiffed up. Groomer Mom forgot to get an after picture–she was too upset. No, there were no accidents during the groom. But there were no grooms during the past 12 months for this poor, elderly schnauzer. This picture was taken after Groomer Mom cut a path for him to be able to see a little bit while she kept grooming.

Tucker if 14 or 15 years old. His Mom, an elderly lady, died a year ago, at which time her son took in Tucker. The son had never had a schnauzer, or any dog who needed groomed. He lives in the neighborhood and saw the grooming sign in our front yard. He was hesitant to bring Tucker because he was so embarrassed, but Groomer Mom kept telling him how glad she was that he did. Tucker’s new dad said they couldn’t stand the stink anymore.

Tucker is a good boy and was used to being on the groom table. He was not used to having his face shaved. The hair on both sides of his schnozzle was matted to the skin, so there was no saving his beard. Upon trying to shave the terribly matted left side of Tuckers face, a cauliflower-like growth was uncovered, and the shaving had to go over and around it. That was Groomer Mom’s breaking point with this schnauzer, and her tears started to leak from her eyes. Anyhow, Groomer Mom thinks it’s a papilloma, with hope that the other, smooth ones are also benign. Some are bigger, some smaller, on his back, his cheeks, and his foot. It shows red here from having to shave the thickly matted hair off it.

Groomer assistant Dad had to be called in as Groomer Mom tried – unsuccessfully – for 20 minutes to shave an oblong, hard, matted area on the other (right) side of Tuckers snout, under his eye. The little she did manage to shave and showed red, inflamed skin underneath. She finally quit when Tucker became extremely agitated. And she cried some more.

Groomer Mom used a medicated shampoo with Chlorhexidine and Ketoconazole. Unfortunately, he still had an odor to him when he dried.

When Tucker’s dad came to get him, Groomer Mom showed him this 3/4″ thick, half dollar-size lump of hair on his face. She told him to take Tucker to the vet soon for him to be lightly sedated and have the vet’s office remove that mat. It is notable that in all the years she has been grooming, Groomer Mom has never before met a mat she couldn’t conquer. Then she showed him all the tumors for the vet to look at while he’s there. She was emphatic that he do this soon! He told her that Tucker had missed his spring annual checkup so he would get it all done at once. At that, Groomer Mom again emphatically told him to not allow the vet to give this elderly dog vaccinations, and explained why. She ended by telling him that she had a product called Anti-Vaccinosis to be given right after vaccinations to help counter the heavy metals and other not-good things mixed into the vaccinations, and said she would let him use it if he decided to get the vaccinations for Tucker anyway.

He left with Tucker, promising to bring him back before he gets looking too bad. If he doesn’t, Groomer Mom knows where he lives, only two houses away, and told us we could all poop in his yard.

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with hopes of giving you a successful “after-picture” in about six weeks.

Sunday Guest Selfie: Markel

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Many thanks to  The Cat on My Head  for hosting Selfie Sunday!

Lucy: Originally, Groomer Mom said I could do a Grooming with Mom feature on our newest pup who came for a groom. But she was so excited about finally having another schnauzer on the table that she forgot to get his “before” picture. Markel is the only schnauzer Mom has ever seen whose hair is like our Angel Lexi’s. Xena’s breeder said that there was poodle somewhere in Lexi’s family tree. Her hair — especially her leggings — had a tight, thick curl. Markel’s hair is almost as curly! Anyhow, take it away, Markel!

Hi, I’m Markel, but everyone calls me Baby Dog. My last groomer shaved all the hair off the top of my schnout, but my new groomer said something like, “Uh, uh, homey don’t do dat.” OK, BOL, maybe not in those words, but she said that is NOT how a schnauzer is groomed! So it’s growing out nicely. The rest of me was groomed like a Scottie, but my new groomer fixed that, too.

I don’t really like getting groomed, especially my feet and ears, but I do like looking handsome for my girl Peaches. She was super sweet to me after my 1st groom at this new place, so I guess I’ll keep coming. Groomer Mom has good treats, too.

Can you tell I love posing for pictures? I think it’s a “thing” with us schnauzers. Anyhoo, nice meeting y’all, and maybe I’ll see ya next time. *wags* Baby Dog

Grooming with Mom: Teddy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

I am Lucy, Ace Reporter, coming to you on the Groom Beat! Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Once again one of Groomer Mom’s regular clients sent us a referral. Teddy is a six year old Maltese. He was adopted as an adult, and has sired several litters of Maltese puppies. He has a good home and is a Velcro dog with his Mom. Even so, he is very unsure of himself and afraid.

With his Dad’s permission, Groomer Mom gave Teddy a dropperful of valerian liquid to calm him. It didn’t work. He continued to shake throughout the time he was visiting. But Teddy is a good little boy, and Groomer Mom enjoyed having him “on the table.” (That’s a grooming term.) The last groomer had cut his hair short all the way around his ears. There’s wasn’t much could be done there except even up the bottoms and let them grow out more. And boy oh boy, under all that long hair he was matted to the skin like felt.

When Teddy was finished with his groom, he got a nautical bow on his collar and sat in Groomer Mom’s lap waiting for his Dad to pick him up.

His Dad came and told Groomer Mom, “We won’t wait so long next time to get him groomed,” and left her a $10 tip.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, hoping for a good treat tip for reporting on another episode of Grooming with Mom!

Grooming with Mom: Murphy & Maggie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here with another episode of Grooming with (my) Mom. Thanks, Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus, for hosting Awww Monday!

Today we have two new grooms, referred to Small Dog Grooming by Rhett’s Mom. First up is Murphy. Murphy is supposed to be a Morkie, but we agree with his Mom who thinks he has more poodle in him than Maltese or Yorkie. Here are a couple of “before” pictures:

Murphy just turned one year old, so naturally still has a lot of puppy ways. He gave kisses and wanted to climb on Groomer Mom’s shoulders and sit on her lap. He tried so hard to jump out of the grooming sink that Groomer Mom dropped the sprayer (twice), which caused water to fly everywhere. Among thing soaked were the Groomer from head to knees, the grooming table, and the floor. During the bath, Groomer Mom kept wondering if Murphy had chewed up styrofoam at home because of the little, round bits of puffy white things she kept finding in his fur and on the bottom of the sink. Then she saw the white film on her smock, the grooming table and the top and outside of the sink. After getting Murphy rinsed, toweled and under the dryer, she looked up. Sure enough, the water had reached the ceiling and removed about a foot portion of the popcorn ceiling! Another first! Anyhow, Murphy is still welcome back. Here he is, finished and cleaned of all the ceiling popcorn:

Next is Murphy’s sweet sister, Maggie. Maggie is also supposed to be a Morkie. You be the judge. No before pictures, and no funny stories.

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with wags and wiggles and the wrap-up of two more successful grooms.

Grooming with Mom: Zoey

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, with another episode of Grooming with (my) Mom. We are joining Miss Sandee at Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Today I am featuring a 13-year-old shih-tzu named Zoey. Her folks were referred to us by another new groom, of whom Groomer Mom forgot to take a picture, both before and after his groom. His name is Kylo and he is a standard poodle. There’s a story I’ll tell you about why Groomer Mom took this “not” small dog to groom, as soon as they come back in a month or so and we get some pictures.

Anyhoo, Zoey is a very well-behaved pup. She has bad areas on her skin which might be seborrheic dermatitis. Her folks are going to take her to the dogtor for it. She was at the dogtor not long ago and found out that she has fluid around her heart and also in a small pocket in her lungs. It could be pneumonia, her Mama whispered to the Groomer.

I would love to show you a “before” picture, but it seems that Groomer Mom simply forgot how to use her phone camera for the couple of weeks. However, she recovered her memory enough to get an “after” picture before Zoey went home.

Groomer Mom really liked this little shih tzu, and hopes they will come back fairly soon for the next groom.

That’s all for today, but check back soon for another edition of Grooming with Mom. *wags* from Lucy, Ace Report.

Grooming with Mom on Awww Monday

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

Hey there folks, this is Lucy, Ace Reporter with another episode of Grooming with Mom. Let’s shout out a huge thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Awww Monday!

Today we have three new grooms to wow you with. These folks found Groomer Mom on our local Nextdoor app. Let’s start with Rudy, a six pound yorkie who hadn’t been groomed for a while.

Besides pooping and peeing all over the floor, he was (mostly) a good boy. Here he is after his groom.

Now I can hold up my head with pride! Thanks, groomer lady.

Next up is Ollie, a four pound senior citizen yorkie. Groomer Mom failed to get a “before” picture, but she does want me to note that he was the best behaved of all three…other than pooping and peeing on the floor, of course. He was in constant motion, so this is the best picture we could get.

I didn’t know my eyes are so big! Can I go home now?

Finally, here is Trinket, the smallest of the trio, weighing in at two pounds. She was scared and very “active” on the grooming table. She also found it necessary to “relieve” herself all over the floor. Next time the yorkies three will have to stay in their kennels when they’re not on the grooming table or in the tub. Here’s Trinket’s “before” picture.

Trinket’s Mom gave specific instructions on how she wanted her groomed. After Groomer Mom took this picture she cleaned up some hairs sticking out. She also wanted to cut the hair along the sides of her face, but Trinket’s Mom wanted it left, so don’t blame us!

Wags and wiggles from Lucy, Ace reporter, wrapping up today’s session of Grooming with Mom.

Happy Tuesday Grooming: Izzy, Allie and Izzie

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia31 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter here, on the Groom Beat.

Today we’ll start out with a pair of pups who have been to us twice. His Mom was referred to us by Griffin’s Mom. If you don’t know Griffin, you can read about him here.
There are no “before” pictures since they get groomed every three weeks. First up is the most unusual three-year-old, Izzy, a Biewer Terrier. This is pronounced “Beaver Terrier.” No, really, I am a reporter, and I am not kidding. You can read about the breed here. I didn’t write it, but it’s still good reading. Groomer Mom followed Izzy’s Mom’s grooming instructions, with Izzy ending up looking like this.

I don’t like having my picture taken.

Izzy’s “sister” is a two-year-old Maltese, Allie. Groomer Mom used her longest blade (a 3.5 blade) all over her body and legs, then did a lot of scissor work to make it look good. These are both very good and sweet pups. Here’s Allie after her groom.

With Allie and Izzy’s next groom already on the calendar, let’s round things out with a pup we forgot to introduce back in November of 2020. One of our other regulars referred her to us. This pup’s name is also Izzie, just spelled differently. She is a Maltese/shih tzu mix. Izzie was born May 3, 2019, so that makes her, uh, let me get my calendar and calculator. Hey Mom, how old’s Izzie? Uh huh, uh huh. Dear readers, I’ve ascertained that Izzie will be three years old this May. Here is a picture from her last groom.

Izzie’s hair is very fine with no undercoat. I can see her freckles! Her Mom brings her every two to four months. She’s a quiet, sweet and sort of scared dog. But she doesn’t take long to groom, so she gets to go home quickly, which is her favorite part of the groom.

That’s all for today, folks. Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with many thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Grooming with Mom: Then and Now

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia21 Comments

This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, with pupdates on Millie, Gus and JoJo

Gus and Mille began coming to “Small Dog Grooming” (Groomer Mom) back in June of last year after their previous groomer passed. You can click here to read the story and see the pictures of their first groom by Small Dog Grooming. They have been coming every month since then. Groomer Mom took fresh pictures the last time they were here in February.

Millie
Gus

Next up is JoJo, a yorkie who has come every three weeks since April of last year. She is five now. You can click here if you want to see the story and picture from her first groom at Small Dog Grooming.

She got a real different groom from previously…more off her face and less off her body. Her Mom said the cold makes her eyes run. We like this look better.

Chia has been bugging me during this entire report. She wants me to post a picture of her.

Are you taking pictures of me while I’m asleep?

Lucy: There you go, Chia, not one, but two pictures.

Chia: Sheesh, Lucy, I didn’t mean those pictures!

Lucy, Ace Reporter signing off with groom updates (and sweet revenge).

We are joining Comedy Plus with much thanks for hosting Awww Mondays.

Grooming: Caesar and Rusty

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia26 Comments

Ace Reporter Lucy here today on the Groom Beat.

There’s an old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Today, however, I have a story for you about how good begets good. Let’s start at the beginning…

Our pastor put out an email asking if anyone could help one of the members by taking her a meal while her husband was out of town. She had recently been in the hospital with an injury and was having trouble getting around. Because Mom has never done this, she decided it was about time she stepped up. The member (let’s just call her M.A. for short) lives very close to Mom and Dad’s favorite Mexican restaurant, so Mom called and asked M.A. what she would like. After picking up the order and finding M.A.’s house Mom was greeted at the door by two sweet pups. (You knew dogs had to be involved, right?) Mom and M.A. settled in to visit for a while with Mom on the floor petting the dogs. Toward the end of the visit, M.A. said she sure wished she had someone who could groom her dogs. She was very excited when Mom revealed that besides working as the Office Manager in a Jewish synagogue, she is, in fact, a dog groomer. M.A. immediately made an appointment for her daughter or grandson to bring her two pups that coming Saturday.

Here’s Caesar, who is a 14 year old long-haired dachshund, doesn’t show his age at all. Here he is before his groom.

Caesar is a very good boy, but he doesn’t like his picture taken. Groomer Mom must have taken a dozen or more shots and finally gave up with the one below after his groom. Groomer Mom asked me to add that she didn’t cut the top part of his face hair at all, but after seeing the picture realized she could have blended it with her thinning shears to look better.

When he got home to his mom, she texted to say how much she loved his cut and that it was the best groom he’s ever had. Caesar will definitely be coming back!

Next up is his nine year old brother Rusty. Rusty supposedly has lab and poodle in him. He and Caesar were both rescues, so it’s hard to say for sure. Rusty has an auto-immune disease, and was recently diagnosed with diabetes, for which he gets daily injections.

Rusty is now the tallest dog Groomer Mom has as a client since Aoife moved to Denver, but he still fit just fine in the grooming sink. He’s a real sweet boy, even though he’s a bit “busy” on the table. Here he is post groom.

Excuse me Miss Groomer, there is a hair sticking up on my nose.

Groomer Mom corrected those misbehaving hairs on Rusty’s nose before he went home. We look forward to seeing Caesar and Rusty back again in a few weeks.

Lucy, signing off with thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Happy Tuesday.

Grooming with Mom: Our Seniors

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, on the Groom Beat

Today I’ve invited back a couple of our long-timers, Maggie the schnauzer and Dora the shih tsu, sporting their new winter cuts. We’ve had so many positive comments on what a great idea the concept of winter grooms is that I’m going to ride that wave. Uh, I mean, show you two more. *clears throat* Both usually get a full shave down–with the exception of Dora’s ears and tail–every four weeks. Sometimes their mom asks for just a mini-groom, but she never lets them get very long. This time, it’s been over two months, two grooms in a row, that they got the winter cut. Here’s Maggie, sporting the adorable fuzzy schnauzer look.

Maggie tucks her back legs under her because she has problems with them. Sometimes she starts to roll over backwards, so Groomer Mom positions her against the wall to help her stay steady in her sit position. Maggie will be 14 this year and has been our much-loved client since May of 2013 when she was five.

Maggie’s sister, Dora, was four when she started coming here the same time as Maggie, meaning she’ll be turning 13 this year. She doesn’t seem to be quite sure what to make of that bow.

Until this groom, she’s never left here with her hair long enough to sport a pretty bow. We sorta hope it stays in and her Mom wants to keep that part of her hair long. Guess we’ll know in a month…

Next featured is 14-year-old Sunshine. Sunshine is a long haired cairn terrier/beagle mix. She’s got a great temperament and lots and lots of long hair. Her mom wants to keep her body and leg hair long. A large pile of undercoat comes out during a thorough brushing each groom even though her mom does a good job keeping her brushed. This is what she looked like a year ago post groom:

This time, she came to Groomer Mom with that long coat very matted. Her mom had been sick and unable to brush her. Groomer Mom is thankful that she has some magic lotion and a magic comb that loosens most mats and allows them to be removed. Also, her mom wanted her face shaved. This is how she now looks.

This Ace Reporter was reassured by Groomer Mom that yes, this really is the same dog!

I leave you with this quote from Groomer Mom, “Puppies are adorable and fun, but seniors who are used to being groomed are one *bleep* of a lot easier to groom.”

Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with wags and licks and many thanks to  Comedy Plus  for the great job they do hosting Awww Mondays.

Wordy Wednesday Grooming with Mom:Griffin

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, on the Groom Beat

Hi again friends! Griffin is a shih tzu who Groomer Mom doesn’t think looks like a shih tzu. You can tell us what you think in the comment section below. He comes every couple of months, and always has mats to the skin. Groomer Mom asked me to include a collage she made of Griffin pre-groom.

It used to take Dad holding him to get his nails done. He’s a sweetie, and he’s also a busy boy who doesn’t stand still for long. Griffin was extra good this time; no help was needed. His Mom wanted a longer shave, but the long blade on the clippers refused to go through his extremely thick hair. So Groomer Mom cleaned out his ears and clipped his nails before giving him a nice warm bath. After he dried, slightly shorter clippers did start cutting his hair, with a bit of encouragement. His legs called for the next size down in blades because of the mats. It took a couple of hours to get this finished cut.

Ahhh, it’s so good to stretch. Thank you, Miss Amy. I feel so much better!

Groomer Mom looks forward to doing it all over again sometime in March. With m any thanks to Comedy Plus for hosting Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop, Lucy, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat, signing off with wags and licks.

Grooming with Mom on Thankful Thursday: Moe

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia24 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat

Hello friends! We had a slow grooming weekend, but we do have one new client. Moe is the not-biological brother to Chub, who I reported on last Thursday. We are told that Moe was here once before, but the Groomer has no records or recollection of it. It’s like her memory was wiped….*scary music.*

Moe is some sort of terrier mix. By his looks, we would guess that he’s part yorkie because of his coloring. His dad usually shaves him, but his mom wanted him to have a “professional groom.” He really didn’t look bad when he got here, so no “before” picture was taken. Here is Moe, groomed and waiting on his dad.

Wishing everyone a good day and weekend coming up. Lucy, Ace Reporter signing off with love, licks and wags.

We are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Grooming with Mom on Thankful Thursday: Chub

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia29 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter on the Groom Beat.

Xena: One of Mom’s long time clients who have Laila and Louis started bringing two of their offspring, Maggie and Bentley, who live with the client’s sister. Then her sister started bringing them, as well as Tyrian, who is their not-biological brother. Then her sister started also bringing her mother-in-law’s dog, Oreo. This time, Oreo’s brother Chub also came. That’s what this post is about.

Lucy: Thank you, Xena, for that introduction and history on this family of dog grooms. As Xena-Not-Ace-Reporter pointed out, Chub came along with his sister and cousins. That made for a total of five dogs last Monday.

First, Groomer Mom serviced Oreo. Because she’s blind, she moves around a lot, and it’s important to be sure she does not fall off the table! Here are her after pics:

Next up was Chub. Chub is also a 14-year-old shih-tzu, and litter mate with Oreo. When he got on the groom table he looked like this:

His Mom just wanted him to get a winter groom. His ears were very matted. She warned Groomer Mom that he didn’t like his face “messed with,” especially around his mouth. Yep, Groomer Mom should have listened.

Chub was loving on Groomer Mom, giving her nose kisses and wagging his tail. He didn’t even mind her working out all those ear mats. Then she took the curved scissors to trim around his mouth. Let’s just say that if his teeth were sharp, Groomer Mom would have a great big hole in the middle finger of her right hand. At that, she said, and I quote, “We aren’t friends anymore, Chub Chub.” Then she decided to try it with the clippers. She got one swipe on each side before he launched his assault on the running clippers. Groomer Mom just held the clippers there and let him attack them, thinking maybe he would get it out of his system. He kept up his voracious attack on the clippers with voracity, and Groomer Mom gave up. Therefore, here is his “after” picture:

Groomer Mom is thankful today that she still has all her fingers without any holes in any of them. This is Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off with licks and wags from a report on a semi-successful groom.

Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

Grooming Molly, Cooper & Zeke

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Lucy, Ace Reporter, with a story about 3 new grooms.

Once again, JoJo’s Mom sent a co-worker to Groomer Mom. This new client has three pups: two yorkies and a yorkie/dachsund mix. I guess if Chia is a Jacksund, then Zeke would be a Yorksund?

Groomer Mom offers what she has named “winter grooms” when the weather gets cold. With a “winter groom,” the pups gets their face and paws groomed, along with their “private” areas and little touchups where needed. Of course it also includes the removal of ear hair, a nail trim and/or filing, and a bath and brushout. Her clients love this option, and I think the pups appreciate it, too.

Why don’t we start with Zeke? He’s 6 1/2 years old, a quiet, gentle soul, and the largest of the three. This is Zeke after his winter groom.

Do you like the manly tie Groomer Mom gave him for Christmas?

Next up is Molly. She came to us right after her 7th birthday. It is noteworthy that she is JoJo’s mother. This is her pre-groom picture.

All three pups were in similar condition, but this is the only pre-groom picture available.
Here is sweet Molly after her winter groom.

Last up is Cooper, who is 7 1/2 years old. You may have noticed a pattern here…they are all six months apart in age. Cooper is the smallest and wildest of the three. His Mom said she wanted his hair very short around his eyes. And remember, Groomer Mom did not take hair off anyone’s body and legs. In this shot, Cooper is done and ready to go home.

Their Mom was thrilled with the grooms and the price and included a nice tip. Groomer Mom told her they were all good pups and she would welcome them back. Afterward, the new client texted asking if the pups did ok for her, and asking if she would do them again when the time came. Mom reassured her that all went well and answered absolutely!

Today we are joining Brian’s Thankful Thursday, with special thanks to Brian for hosting it!

That’s all for this week’s edition of Grooming with Mom. Lucy, Ace Reporter, signing off until next time.