Pet Groomer 911

#Petsmart #Grooming Follow-up

2017-10-15T08:42:00.001-04:00

People are genuinely so sad.... Rather than have an honest conversation, they'll vindictively stalk you and your friends on Facebook trying to catch you in some act they can accuse you of.

What would I do if I had been publicly called out?
Probably be angry and throw a fit.... And then I would question myself to try and find what they see. I would really set my intention to learn, understand, maybe even make some changes. I might be surprised at what others see that I was unaware of.
But alas, people are too afraid to look in the mirror and be honest anymore... They can't have conversations anymore, and I know this.
What bothers me most is that this makes me just shut up. That doesn't feel right either. But maybe that time has come.... I don't know.

But this time I didn't.....
I opened my mouth because I care.
I have no need to apologize for that.

I care. I care more about the people than they would ever understand. I care about the art of animal care. I care that there are much better ways to do things but people can't get past their fears and insecurities and let others help them.

I'm not perfect. I don't have all the answers. But I do have a storehouse of wisdom that I willingly give away for free. That's what Petgroomer911 is all about.

What would you do if you were publicly called to account?
Not attacked, just called out.
It would probably scare you... Hurt you.... But would you ever consider the possible truths??

Abusive people are always confident with the people they abuse. But put them in the company of others, and they aren't so confident anymore. They act differently. Almost as if they KNOW that what they're doing behind closed doors is completely unacceptable.
If someone puts a light on your actions..... Are you ok with that?
Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

I admit.... I often blog to vent. Because there is no conversation to be had with a corporation, or those enslaved to them. I know. I tried.
They couldn't change the way they do things if they wanted to.

The reason I write this shit is because there are a handful of people out there still genuinely searching for truth.... I know some truths.
I share them here sometimes.

I cannot however share names in this blog it turns out. People don't know how to behave like they're grown and that may cause problems for the innocent.
Its not my intention to hurt people.
Its my intention for people to wake up and care.

Rather than be a stressed out miserable hag, and annoy the shit out of everyone around me, I quit the corporate world. It is a losing battle.
That doesn't mean that the people or the animals have to be lost with it.

There are wonderful people in corporate salons!! Because they have to pay their fucking rent just like everybody else...... But they're wonderful because of who they choose to be on a daily basis.

Peace
Love
Rock & Roll

#Petsmart #Grooming

2017-09-29T20:23:00.001-04:00

Petsmart grooming salon at store #1141 on Gulf to Bay BLVD in Clearwater Florida has a new "groomer" that is scared of animals and therefore makes them nervous as hell.
This is one of those groomers I've tried to teach you all about. She's no different than any other average wage earning employee. To her, it's just a job. And the more she sells, the more money she makes for herself and for THE COMPANY. And sell she does.
She has no sense of integrity whatsoever. She has been grooming for FIVE WHOLE YEARS and used to be a salon manager at a previous store!!!!!
She's afraid of animals!!!!!!!!!
She's greedy and has no regard for her fellow groomers or bathers. She passes her duties as a groomer off to others so that she can take breaks, but still gets paid as if she had done all the work.
She grooms horribly because 1) she never learned how to groom in spite of going thru "800 hours of Academy training" at Petsmart Academy, and 2) she takes way too many dogs to groom them well OR humanely!!!!
The salon manager knows and does not even understand why any of this is a problem. Seriously!
The store manager doesn't know anything about animals - He was previously a manager at Best Buy!
Another REAL groomer from that salon tells me stories that make me nauseated.
All I wanna say is that THEY don't really care about us, the pet parents, the real groomers, or the animals.
DO NOT BE FOOLED!
There are two really great groomers at that store. The rest......
You really should just stay away, and tell everyone you know to do the same.
Ask and I'll give you names.
#fedthefuckup
#Petsmartisabadplace

#GroomingStories - The Groomer's Check-In List

2017-03-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

The things people do not realize about the corporate grooming industry would boggle your mind!

So let's do our part in the grooming world for Team Disclosure....

The first thing that everyone should know about corporate or franchise grooming businesses is that they are JUST THAT - Businesses! First and foremost, they are a business entity and they must turn a profit. This is the nature of the Beast that Americans love so much called Capitalism.

Now this is NOT to get political!!!

I'm stating this as a foundational fact that greatly impacts your pet's grooming experience!!!

I'm stating it emphatically!!! Because as "employees" of said businesses, we are not allowed to disclose these lengthy discourses to you as to "WHY" things are the way they are.

It's 2017 and if you have not yet awakened to the hard, cold reality that - what you don't know makes someone else money... lots and lots of money...... its ALL about money..... then you really don't even have a reason to keep reading this.

Now, to the Check In.

When you bring your pet to a corporate grooming salon, there is a check-in process.

This process often frustrates people because it takes too much time. Especially regular or repeat clients who see you take notes the first time (or ten!) and don't understand why you have to do it every time you come in.

Here's the premise:

Things could have changed with your pet since your last visit.

➻This is a legitimate issue. People forget to give information lots of times because they have grown used to a change and its no longer new to them, losing sight of the fact that their groomer hasn't seen them in a month, give or take, and has no knowledge of this new thing.
People get preoccupied with life....
People get preoccupied with having to be somewhere else by a certain time....
People get irritated or flustered by crowds, noise, or busy-ness...
People forget things.

➻Also, people censor information based on their own personal analysis. People often don't see a reason that you should have to know certain things, so they don't tell you. They don't know or understand the full grooming process or animal psychology at all, and don't grasp the impact a certain bit of information might have on the experience.

➻People lie. If they tell you that their dog has a heart condition and could very well die from the stress of grooming..... but their dog really needs grooming..... and if they can't get you to do it they don't know where else to turn.... They're gonna lie!

If a dog is a matted mess and the client is afraid it will cost more for grooming this time... They will lie!
They will lie about vaccinations.
They will lie about age.
They will lie about breed.
They will lie about temperament.
They will lie about their availability to be able to pick their pet up, or how quickly they will arrive if they are late or forgot their appointment.

Face it! We are ALL conditioned to lie!

If things have changed with your pet or your situation since your last visit to the salon, your groomer needs to know. And the only way to get reliable information is for the groomer or person responsible for checking your pet in for the appointment to asks all these questions every time you check in!
This is straight up legit protocol... For any salon.

Grooming Notes & Instructions

➻ Yes... YES!!!! They are supposed to take notes! But we are focusing on corporate salons in this article and so here's the true truth: They hire ANYBODY that passes a drug test and shows up!!!
No experience, no love for animals, no common sense required!
These people don't know how to take notes - No one ever taught them!
These people usually hire in as "bathers" and don't even know how to groom - no one ever taught them! If you don't know how to groom, how can you ask the right questions and write the right notes!?

A lot of the people they hire are academy trained groomers who were taught horribly (by people who were taught horribly, by people who were taught horribly.........) or left to their own devices and not really taught anything at all! BOTH of these scenarios are the case with corporate salons! I've NEVER seen a corporate salon academy grad who knew shit! And what they thought they knew, was wrong.

The people they hire are just not trained period. People with NO people skills, much less animal knowledge, no customer service skills, no natural talent for helping and assisting people..... They screw shit up ALL THE TIME! With little or no consequence! Because no one in the entire corporate salon structure knows enough about the true ART of pet grooming to know when something is being done in a horrible manner but CAN BE FIXED!!!

Software glitches are REAL! A lot of times your best groomers will painstakingly make impeccable notes only to have the computer not save them, or "lose" them at a later date. I'm here to spill the beans on the whole charade, so I wouldn't add this if it were not a painful truth. It frustrates good groomers to no end. But it is a thing, it does happen. Often.

➻So what kind of groom do you want? Yes, even YOU can change your mind "this time"! We need to know, because there are SO MANY FACETS to pet grooming that only well trained and experienced pet groomers are aware of.... If these "T"s are not crossed and "I"s not dotted.... You'll bitch!

Now good groomers do not mind making adjustments for good clients! But a good groomer also knows how to nail good notes at check in so that most of the groom is easily translated to the pet and things are spot-on the first time.

And NOOOOOOOO! All groomers are not the same! All "grooming schools" are not the same! All salons are not the same! All terminology, and "style" names do NOT transfer across the board!

There is very little consistency in the grooming world. Which is why it is more accurate to refer to pet grooming as an Art form, rather than a "job" or "vocation" that you can just take a few classes and learn to do. Can anybody take art classes? Absolutely! Does art class make you an artist? HELL NO!
If you can grasp that, then grasp that the same is true of pet grooming.

A "Puppy Cut" in Ottawa is not the same as a "Puppy Cut" in Los Angeles, or Bowling Green, or Seattle, or Clearwater! It means different things to..... EVERYONE! It is not a style in a grooming academy book, it is not recognized by the AKC.

"Yes, I would like a Puppy Cut on my dog." And then when this lady comes to pick up her 2 year old Pomeranian and it looks like a Labrador puppy, SHE gets pissed off! Why??? It's a Puppy Cut!

NO ONE uses "style names" anymore. Maybe you have a long relationship with one groomer who has a style name for the cut your pet gets.... And that's ok. But don't come down here on vacation and drop that style name and expect anybody to know what you're talking about. And worse yet, is the groomer who writes that style name down and asks you no other questions!!! Guarantee you're gonna be pissed off when you pick up your pet.
Style names mean nothing!
There is NO consistency in the grooming world!
If you want your pet groomed correctly, be patient with your groomer's questions at check in!

To Blindly Accept....

And here's the kicker..... If a groomer blindly and unquestioningly takes your pet into their possession and care, they become LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE!!!

And THIS is why check in is sooooooo long. That groomer is ideally supposed to go out there with your pet, feel the pet's skin and coat, visually examine the skin and coat for mats, moles, sores, fleas, ticks, lumps, abrasions.... check for unusual odors, check the eyes, ears, mouth, paws, privates, and tail, check for anything that doesn't seem right, check their gait, and check for temperament. While doing this the groomer is supposed to have a conversation with you to recommend special products that may benefit your pet's specific conditions. The groomer also takes this time to inform you of extra charges that will not be optional such as flea shampoo, de-mat fee, special conditioners for bad skin or a challenging coat, AND to let you know of any issues that they are not allowed to deal with and refer you to a vet. All this on top of all the questions before the manual exam!
If any little thing is out of place when a pet goes home, despicable human beings can blame everything on the groomer! What's sad is that good groomers get blamed for stupid pet parents' stupidity even when they care deeply for the animals. If check in is done properly, a groomer will notice an existing condition, make a note of it, discuss it with the parent and not get blamed for causing it! But that takes so much time.....!
And a lot of times, good groomers trust people when they shouldn't. They get blamed for limps and squinty eyes and red skin.... When any idiot would've noticed their pet was like that at home.
Then the really awful "groomers" do horrible, careless things to these poor animals and people tip them and ask for them by name....!
(Look for other #GroomingStories to hear some of these tales.)

➻Why the long check in?
Well the answer you all want to hear is "Because they care that much about you and your pet!" But nothing could be farther from the truth in a corporate salon. In a privately owned salon that could well be the case... They have no pressure to perform for corporate shareholders so they are allowed to care more about you and your pet than they do about money. With private salons, all those recommendations are more likely to be of genuine value and not just an "up-sell". Usually.
But this article is about the corporates.... They "recommend" products to "up-sell" you. They interrogate you to cover their asses legally. Period. End of corporate story.
This is why they could care less who they hire and what these people do in the salon, as long as they're making quota, raising quota, and not getting caught doing anything that could get out to the public and merit a lawsuit.

BAM!

Welcome to Petsmart and Petco ladies and gentlemen!
It's ALL about money and lawsuits.
The Check In is all about covering their corporate ass to avoid lawsuits. That's why you have to sign the check in paper. That's why it seems like you're in a lawyer's office. You kind of are.

This article is to let you know about the Groomer's Check-In List.
Some do it for all the right reasons, others don't have a clue why they do it, and some just don't care.
Whether in corporate or privately owned salons, good groomers are born not just trained, and they care deeply! They care more about animals than anything in the world, by my experience!
Educate yourself about grooming procedures that you don't understand. Ask your groomer questions then google their answers at home. You'll find great answers for both sides of any argument. Ultimately, you have to follow your own heart and intuition, and make your own decisions.

I live in a world where blame has no place.
Personal responsibility is the only rule anyone needs.
Love the animals!
Respect your groomer because you KNOW they are respectable. If you don't know that, then keep searching.
But please don't blame them for corporate policies that are no different from every other inconvenience in the world created because of irresponsible people.
Don't be that irresponsible person!

Here's what a GOOD, Well Trained groomer should do at check in:

A good groomer can tell if something is off and your pet doesn't feel well in general.
They will socialize with the pet to see if there are fear or protection issues, or emotional instability that will make it difficult or unsafe and impossible to groom the pet.
Once they're friended, the groomer checks for mats in pets with long hair by feeling the coat, behind the ears, and down the ears, around the chin and cheeks, tail, arm pits, legs, belly, and chest. If time permitted they would do this with a comb - because parents never seem to believe that their dogs are matted! Because they brush them....! (One of the biggest jokes amongst groomers!)
They check the eyes for sores, goo, cherry eye or anything that doesn't look right.
They check the ears outside for bumps, lumps, cuts or scrapes, and inside for odor, goo, crusty skin or any other abnormality.
They check the mouth area and teeth for sores or general soreness or pain, which could indicate gum disease or infection - as opposed to just being a bad dog, or difficult to groom.
They will check for food-mats or moisture mats and tangles on the face, eyes, and chin to assess how they can be dealt with. Some can be brushed, others must be shaved.
They will check the paws for mats, nail condition, inner pad and toe mats for sores or debris that may be causing issues such as stickers, tar, gum....
They will let you know if the nails would benefit more from clipping or grinding, or both.
They will check the tail for mats or other issues.
They will part the coat or brush it backward to see the skin. They are looking for fleas & ticks, redness, scabs or sores, moles. They will notice specific odors and should know what that means.
They will check the privates for mats, discharge or other abnormalities. And they should check females for blood which indicates being in heat. Of course this question is asked, but people are often ignorant, don't know the pet's history, or they lie!
A good groomer does recommend special products that may help your pet for specific issues. Unfortunately in corporate salons, what they recommend is limited to what is approved by the company and not what the groomer knows would be best.
A good groomer will be honest with you about your pet's condition and what they feel should be done, whether its just a bath or full groom with hair cut.
Once all this is gone over, if you're getting a hair cut for your pet, the groomer will go over each detail of just what you want.

What length? Using the term "inches" is not smart at all! It registers differently for everyone. I don't care who you are! An inch to a kid just out of high school is NOT going to be the same inch as the pet parent who's a carpenter, math teacher, or interior decorator!
Groomers who try to ask a client what length by referring to the blade number are also very very dumb! Clients do NOT know blade numbers!!! Not even if they think they do! They are not supposed to know blade numbers.
I have found that asking things like "half off", "more than half", "less than half" is a great, easy start to determine the length people want.
How long do you want the ears? This is for dogs with long hair. Other breeds have breed-specific ear styles that would require you to ask if they want the tips of the ears shaved, or the whole ear shaved, or a certain length down from the head shaved.
Do you want the tail trimmed and if so, how much? Or, if there is a breed specific style, do they want that?
When they ask for a breed specific style, Go over each step anyway to confirm what they think that means! Again, it's different everywhere you go!
If you don't think the nails should be clipped, because of the pet's temperament or the condition of the nails, or because of a past bad experience the pet had, or if the pet is a terrier and has long quicks and will bleed easily, recommend grinding. Explain your decision! Good groomers do NOT bleed pet's nails carelessly! People often confuse "long" nails with "sharp" nails. I may not be able to safely take off any length, but I can grind the sharp points off.

Depending on each unique situation, of course there will be other things to address and get crystal clear at check in.
Never take short cuts and never assume!
Get specific.

Do groomers actually do all this? Most times no, because in corporate salons they don't have time! They are pushed to groom too many dogs in too short a space of time! They are pushed to up-sell! They have to answer phones. Many times they have to deal with the incompetence of other employees, including the salon manager. They are stressed as HELL! So NO they don't have time to do things the way they would if they made the rules!

Be patient at check in.
Corporate salons SUCK! Most of them are horribly mismanaged at best and being short staffed or incorrectly staffed is not the fault of anyone on the lower end of the food chain!
Rules come from idiots and ass holes who file lawsuits.
Self responsibility is the answer.
Truth.

No Apologies.

Nails

2017-03-11T09:41:00.002-05:00

Nail clipping is the most horrifying experience in grooming for the animal, pet parent, or groomer - by FAR!
If they say it's not, RED FLAG!

If a professional groomer or bather makes "lite" of nail trimming, that is another HUGE RED FLAG!!!
Now this is not to say that there should be fear and horror surrounding nail trimming - even from the groomer!!!
Absolutely not!
The groomer SHOULD be confident, and demonstrate that skill and confidence by performing a "happy nail trim" experience for you to witness for yourself.
But if the groomer "makes lite" of nail trimming without ever acknowledging the importance of doing it right, this should concern you.

This is one of those "DO NOT try this at home!" things, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
YES you can hurt them and it IS a big deal, I don't care what anyone tells you, VETS included.

This is the biggest cause of trauma for dogs in the grooming environment, along with water in the face - specifically nose and ears - and forced air blower to the face - specifically nose and ears.
Most of the time, it is well-meaning pet parents, who are really trying to be responsible, who screw their poor dogs up for life!

And yes, YES, there are more ignorant and careless groomers out there than you care to know about!

#PETPEAVE
Many groomers and vets will tell you that it's no big deal to quick them (cut the nail so short that it cuts the blood vessel and bleeds). All you do is put a little Quick Stop (styptic powder) on it to stop the bleeding and they're fine!

BULLSHIT!!!

Along with that blood vessel (all blood vessels!) are NERVES! And it hurts to cut them! How could it NOT hurt??? That's what nerves are for! To FEEL.
And why are there such sensitive nerves in the nails?
Well dogs dig. Dogs claw and scratch. Dogs run. These activities are part of their natural lives, part of their survival.
Nails give substance, traction, protection and basically work as tools for the dog. If they are injured, it is very important that the dog knows this! That's what pain in the body is for. To let you know that something needs attention.

Dogs feet are one of the three most sensitive parts of their body.
That's how important their feet and nails are to them.

They usually don't like their feet touched at all because the feet are hyper-sensitive.
They depend on their paws GREATLY!!!
Without the full use of their paws, animals are very vulnerable.
So the built-in defense mechanism surrounding an animal's paws is greatly magnified.
To be ignorant of this is a sign that you should not be working with animals in the first place!

"No One can do her nails!!".... Yeah, I've heard that a lot.

1) There's an obvious reason for that! Something happened, at some point. Whether it was a human incident, or a cracked nail that just got snagged on the carpet or a blanket, something happened and it hurt and now the dog is scared. This needs to be noticed, and dealt with properly.

2) I've done almost as many "impossible" nail trims as I have easy ones... Leaving people absolutely amazed at how I did that with no biting, no muzzle, no screaming, no trauma...!
And most of the time, no need for Quick Stop! (Every groomer should have Quick Stop in their medicine bag. Accidents do happen, even with the best of us.)

And so BAM! The answer is, I know what I'm doing!

And the fact that I've successfully done so many impossible nail trims with no trauma is proof of what I say - That there are HOARDS of so-called "trained" "professional" groomer/bathers out there that are NOT trained properly and are by NO MEANS the standard of a professional!

The BEST thing a pet parent can do for their pet concerning nail trimming is -

LEARN as much as you can.
Don't believe the first thing you see, hear, or read about pet nail trimming!
Discuss the subject amongst your pet parent friends.
Find a groomer that is willing to demonstrate a "happy nail trim" for you.
Get that groomers name and spread it like wild fire!
Speak up amongst your pet parent friends! Become an advocate for proper nail trimming. Even if you NEVER quite get the hang of doing it yourself, at least promote someone you've found who CAN do it well, and therefore help others put an end to ignorance in grooming!

No Apologies!!!

Feral Cat Colonies - A Full Discourse

2017-01-20T12:44:00.003-05:00

You do NOT understand what feral means.

You do NOT understand cats.

You do NOT understand colonies.

And you do NOT understand The Prime Directive!

Can you open your mind enough to consider that this may be true?

Yes, "RESCUER", I'm talking to you!

"Back in the day, we used to "fill in the blank". But nowadays, they do it like "this"

Ever heard of a scenario like this??

Why did things ever change...?

Because some human evolved. They grew. The imagined a better way and followed that path. They were inspired with a moment of genius that led to a great new thing.

Remember leaches and electro-therapy??? (google them under "medicinal uses")

We do what we have to do.... Until we learn more. Then we adjust.

This allows us to grow, become more efficient, evolve.

Evolution is our progress toward the divine.

feral - wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained

cat - an independent, social, intelligent, wild species of animal that have a language and completely self sufficient cultural structure just like all other living beings do.

colony - A colony is a group who settle in a new place but keep ties to their homeland.

Now put it all together....

Feral. Cat. Colony.

Wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained, independent, social, intelligent, species of animal that have a language and a completely self sufficient cultural structure just like all other living beings that have settled in a new place but keep ties to their homeland.

The Prime Directive is a prohibition on interference with the other cultures and civilizations that representatives of different species encounter in their exploration of the universe.

Now.... Why in the name of god or anyone else do human beings feel the need to INTERFERE with FCCs as if they needed help!?

Well..... Here's a good story on the subject....

Real Ecology | Born in the Streets: The Global Impact of Feral Cats

In truth, the legitimate concerns about feral cat colonies in the modern world only exist in cities, and these concerns include disease, aggression, population, and surrounding ecological balance.
I bet most "RESCUERS" don't even know what that means, much less have they ever considered the truths behind it.

Well, here's what "considering" issues on a deeper, more honest and sincere level looks like:

Disease
Aggression
Ecological Balance
Population

There is no other legitimate reason to interfere with feral cat colonies besides these.
And the only factor that lends legitimacy to these few concerns is the instance where the colony exists in a city with no nature, no wilderness, no large parks in which to be part of a complete ecological cycle. A cat colony inside a man-made, artificial environment does not and even can not behave naturally and in a healthy way. They become by default, dependent on unnatural means of survival.

Disease - What diseases do feral cats have or carry that would be a cause for concern?

According to a Wikipedia entry about feral cats:

Disease prevalence
Feral cats, as with all cats, are susceptible to diseases and infections including rabies, bartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, plague, parasites, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), rickettsial diseases, and feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC, a group of respiratory illnesses including feline herpesvirus type 1, feline calicivirus, Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma felis).[38]

Feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus belong to the Retroviridae family, and both cause immunosuppression in cats, which can increase their susceptibility to other infections. Research has shown that the prevalence of these viruses among feral cat populations is low and is similar to prevalence rates for owned cats in the United States.[39][40]

Researchers studying 553 feral cats in Northern Florida in the United States tested them for a number of infections that could be detrimental to feline or human health. The study found the most prevalent infection to be Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat-scratch disease in humans, with 33.6% of the cats testing positive. Feline coronavirus was the next most common infection, found in 18.3% of the cats, although they noted that the antibody levels were low in most of the cats who tested positive, and concluded that the cats they tested did not appear to be a greater risk for shedding the virus than pet cats.[40] Researchers studying 96 feral cats on Prince Edward Island (ISLAND meaning a closed area) in Canada found that feline roundworm was the most common infection in cats in that colony, afflicting 34% of cats. This was followed by Toxoplasma gondii, which was detected in 29.8% of cats, although only one cat of the 78 for whom fecal samples were available was shedding T. gondii oocysts. They did note that most fecal samples collected indicated the presence of one intestinal parasite, with some samples indicating the presence of multiple parasites.[41]

If you bother to notice, most diseases become effective on their victims because of LOW IMMUNITY. This is across the board! Always. Humans, animals, plants..... Ya see, your ignorance actually spreads more disease than all the feral colonies in the world.
Your over-lauded VACCINATIONS are DESTROYING everyone's immune system. The "diseases" that have become Financial Industries today, did not cause one ripple of concern 50 years ago, because they basically did not exist. Oh the disease existed, but not in Every Single Animal in the country!!!
Yes COUNTRY, as in America. These same things don't exist in other countries the way that they do here. Why? Americans believe anything! And are terrified that not vaccinating will end in death and guilt FOR ETERNITY!!!!!
But look at the numbers.... At least the only ones available, which are posted above. Low percentages of disease in natural-living unvaccinated, wild animals, with the highest percentages presenting in animals with weak immune systems. In the wild this is most likely due to lack of proper nutrition. Or ingesting toxins.
Vaccinate them all??? NO. Build the immune system! YES. Or allow them the freedom to live naturally so that the immune system is healthy.
Wild animals survive just fine without vaccinations..... Do you ever think about that?!?!?
And what about those that just can't make it? We RESCUE these, right? NO. Leave them to nature. Do not interfere.
It is cruel to vaccinate and neuter, and then return them in a compromised state to the wild! Leave them alone.

Aggression - Reports of feral cats attacking pets, children, even adults....

Obviously feral cats are DANGEROUS!!!
Are they???? How would you know the difference between dangerous and ........
Hey wait a minute.... WHY would feral cats act aggressively IN THE FIRST PLACE??? Is it just because that's what feral cats do??
Did anybody bother to ask? Did anyone bother to find the reason..... Any possible reason, that feral cats would be aggressive...? No. No no one did bother. But they sure didn't waste any time ASSUMING !!
Aggression can be caused by hunger. I'm cranky when I need food, how bout you?
I might be aggressive if I were put into an unnatural environment where I could not exercise my instincts for hunting my own food.
My natural prey may not exist in my current unnatural environment so I'm forced to find food in other ways, from other sources... This might put me at risk of being attacked or abused my HUMANS.
And because I'm put into these situations I might become desperate and even fearful.
At this juncture my deepest, wildest base survival protocol takes over.... I get labeled. And misunderstood. I attack you before you can attack me. I feel NO sense of trust from you whatsoever!!! YOU are dangerous to me!
Feral cats are not aggressive because they are feral. They may become aggressive if they're:

Hungry
Frustrated
Trapped (in any sort of confining environment)
Sick
Desperate
Afraid
Imprinted with a bad experience, like abuse, or a fight
Taunted, harassed, or chased by humans

Reasons. Not assumptions. This can be fixed.

Ecological Balance - From what I was able to read, most concerns are about bird populations. Reportedly, feral cat colonies have wiped out entire species from their territory. Not out of aggression or genocidal tendencies.... But just for food. This obviously signifies that the cats are not in a complete ecological system. Meaning that the only prey they can find enough of in order to live are birds.

So let's just take this moment to once again acknowledge and maintain perspective on the fact that this is a MAN MADE problem.
We - as MAN (human, not males) - can perpetuate the problem by continuing to engage in unnatural solutions for our own ignorant, and/or selfish purposes.
Or we can realize that all of nature has a balance, and that as evolved beings, we don't have to live like cavemen in order to cooperate and thrive WITH nature. We CAN find solutions that provide the best for every species. We can find nature's balance and progress.
Solutions:

Relocate entire colonies to more fertile grounds
This means allowing the complete cycle of nature... For everyone.... Meaning cats not only have a broader variety of prey - making them healthier, and not singling out one species that could be wiped out by over-hunting - but it also means that cats themselves become prey as well. This is the cycle of nature.
This solves SO many human-related issues! We don't have to "kill" anyone. We don't have to perpetuate a broken method that we will forever be burdened with finding a way to support - ie shelters, fosters, vets, meds, food, and a never-ending flow of cats, cats, and more cats.... Nature will be more fulfilled and not have the need to encroach onto human territory. We won't have to "capture" or "remove" or "hunt" coyotes, alligators, mountain lions. bears, hawks, wolves....
Let nature be nature!!!! Do not interfere. Guide and assist at best, but stop implementing "solutions" to problems that don't really exist. Just rebalance nature and let it flow, ALLOW it to be!
For smaller colonies, relocate them to a "workplace" where they can actually be of service once again. Rather than chemical pest control, create an ecosystem in warehouses, barns, malls, shopping centers.... anywhere that there are other creatures that humans feel the need to exterminate. Dogs work, why can't cats??
One huge NON solution is capture, foster, domesticate!!!
There is a difference between a feral cat, and what is called a "stray" that is actually a domesticated cat that has lost its home for whatever reason.
Indoor-Outdoor free roaming is best when possible if you have cats that choose to share your space comfortably. Never force.

Population - More than all the other reasons for TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs is to capture wild animals, surgically remove their ability to reproduce, and send them back into the wild. This is a GREAT idea, right!?!?

Is it natural? NO!
Is it harmless? NO!
Did this method serve a purpose? Yes
Are there better solutions now that we have grown as a society and species? YES!

Whoa whoa whoa.... What do you mean its NOT harmless!? ALL animals who make contact with humans get "neutered" and they're just fine!
Are they???
NO. They're NOT just fine. You've been lied to. How do I know??? RESEARCH. I highly recommend it to people who have opinions and open their mouths!
According to Vetbook.org

Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgenic hormone produced by the testis, ovary and in small amounts by the adrenal gland.

As well as being responsible for male secondary sexual development on reproductive organs, testosterone also is responsible for positive bone, skin and cardiovascular effects[1]
Low testosterone levels in male dogs is commonly observed in neuters, hypothyroidism, hormone-responsive dermatoses, Sertoli cell tumors and with exogenous use of deslorelin [15]. http://www.vetbook.org/wiki/dog/index.php?title=Testosterone

And according to... A BUNCH of researchers! found HERE there are obvious, no-brainer side effects of neutering animals. Most of the "things" you take your pet to the vet for, are caused by 1) Low immunity caused by vaccinations, and 2) lack of hormone interactions thru out the body from neutering.
1 + 1 people....! 1 + 1. (That means, THE MATH IS SIMPLE! ADD IT UP!)
And just for the record, 3) "things" you take your pet to the vet for, would be BAD FOOD.

So how do you control feral cat population???

Get them into their natural environments and let nature handle population control.
If you allow it to, nature will always balance itself out!
Spaying and neutering is only a temporary solution to an exploding situation - all at the hands of ignorant or selfish humans.
You have to find a better way! Do NOT stop seeking better solutions! Do NOT stop at the last best practice, keep improving on it. And do NOT continue to believe that this is all we got!!! Do not continue to believe that humans will never change. Believe in YOU. And YOU be the change. Blaze that trail! Stand your ground. LOVE!

There are so many bleeding fucking hearts out there that are convinced that they love animals so so so much! But they don't and I'm calling them out! If they loved animals so much they would search high and low for truth. They would study different animal's cultures and protocols and assist them, not tear apart their families and communities to force them into health challenges and homes that they do NOT want to live in.
"Animals have feelings!" How many "pet-lovers" say that!? Well then how do you think they feel when they're torn from their natural world where everyone speaks their language, and everyone follows the same social order, and they are unrestrained, free and happier than HUMANS will accept that they are, and forced into slavery because that's what YOU think should happen!?

The instances of humans getting disease from cats, being attacked by cats, birds disappearing because of cats.... Well YOU google it and see what you come up with.
What I've come up with is a bunch of fear-mongering con artists who are making money off of YOUR ignorance and unwillingness to find the truth and stand up for it by NOT following along with the crowd any more!
YES it's hard to do that! But remember, YOU're the bleeding heart that LOVES ANIMALS so much!!!!
I do NOT vaccinate.
I do NOT medicate.
I HAVE had all my pet cats neutered because of the smell of their spray indoors.
Even I have grown and learned that I would do all I could to NOT do that again. Indoor-Outdoor is the way to go.
OF COURSE I would not put my current house cat outside just because I have evolved!!!
He has never lived outside. He was born to a stray mom in someone's garage. He really is very content to live indoors and spend time on the balcony teasing birds and flirting with his "squirrel friend". He's so domesticated he's practically a dog...! LOL

The point is, I see that! I'm aware! I know the difference between someone who needs my assistance and someone whom I've been trained to feel sorrow for but really is just fine and wants to be left alone.

Grow.
Evolve.
Stop trying to bail the ocean with a bucket.
Wake up.
Wise up.

The science behind why feral cats are safe members of our communities

Feral Cats: A Love/Hate Relationship

The Other Side of the Story - PETA is Full of Shit!!!

Shelter & Rescue Staff & Volunteers Change Your Ways!

2017-01-18T22:10:00.002-05:00

Change your perspective on what you're doing.... On what you've always done.....
It's backward.
Your perspective is backward.

Animal shelters are FILLED with heartbreak and sadness!!!
This is done in ignorance to indulge human self pity, and on purpose to guilt people into adopting animals!

Energy Energy Energy people!!!
It's all about the energy!
And sadness, guilt, and pity are HORRIBLE energies.

Different perspective: Why not "begin the change" in the animal's life the MOMENT you meet them?
Greet them with respect and joy.
Be happy to have them!
If you as a shelter volunteer or staff member project the "BURDENS" of another mouth to feed, and the disgust and disdain for human beings who are cruel and stupid........ The animal feels that!
MUCH stronger and more profoundly than humans do. You can lie to humans! You can't lie to an animal for very long and get away with it.

Greet them with RESPECT.
Greet them with JOY.
Welcome them as family, like you are thrilled and honored to have their company!

FORGET THE PAST!!!! Understand it, respect it, then MOVE THE FUCK ON!!!
Animals don't carry emotional shit the way humans do.
Yes, sometimes their scars are deep.
But usually it is HUMANS who project HUMAN emotions onto animals because of their own self loathing, that they probably are not even aware of.

Change your perspective.
Stop the sadness.
Welcome them "home"!
Attract good energy by being filled with good energy, spreading good energy, accepting good energy.

Throw away your damn rule book!
Learn to love again!
Love comes from the heart - not from education, or licenses or certificates or diplomas..... And sure as HELL not from money!

Love them.
It's that simple.
Pity is not love. It confuses them!!! They don't understand why the energy in the room, in the facility, coming from YOU, won't go away! They are so filled with love and forgiveness, and so able to move on - If YOU do.

Change your perspective.
Put the horse in front of the cart.....
Stop struggling.
Stop infecting the entire rescue movement with sadness and pity!
You should be ashamed!
You won't let them be happy!

Fix that!

My Thoughts About Vaccinations

2017-01-03T16:48:00.000-05:00

I do not discriminate. If your pet is not current on their vaccinations for whatever reason...
If you have made a conscientous choice to NOT vaccinate your pet...
If you haven't had time to go to the vet...
If you haven't had money to go to the vet...
It makes no difference to me.

What does make a difference is that your pet is in obvious good care. I am not a vet! I do not diagnose or treat illness! But I have worked with animals long enough that I can usually recognize when a pet is too ill, or is contagious, and should receive other care before I advise you.

Corporate salons such as Petco and Petsmart require at least a rabies vaccine before they will make an appointment, as well as some private salons. I'm sure most trainers have the same policy.

Honestly, I have done my own research and don't really like vaccinations period. But YOU must do your own due diligence, your own research, and follow your own heart about such matters. Just because I'm convinced doesn't mean I'm right by anyone's standard but my own.

I feel very strongly that the entire veterinary industry is about fear, misinformation, manipulation, and control in order to harvest money.
Even the bleeding-heart, animal-loving, raised-on-the-farm kids who made it thru vet school in order to "make a difference" have come out of the system completely brainwashed. They sincerely believe all the shit they tell you.

But I don't buy into the system.... Not any of it. I don't understand going blindly thru life accepting everything you're told. The fact that students never question or stand up to information that doesn't feel right causes me to lose faith in them right out of the gate.
If one is "gifted" then they have instincts, intuition, an inner knowing that is beyond any book learning.
This describes me more than it does any vet I've ever met.

Look at dogs today compared to when some of us were kids. They all suffer from human diseases now! That NEVER happened until they started mandatory, mass vaccinations and neutering!

These solutions were meant to get humanity to higher understanding, but instead it became a for-profit industry that has a guaranteed success rate due to stacking the deck.
Industry owns all the scientist who write the text books and peer reviewed journals, and do all the research that is published, and make the meds and, "funds" the schools.... They own the pet industry. They guarantee you'll always need them!

Don't you find this suspicious???????

I think for myself, do my own research, and I don't play into antiquated fears based on a herd mentality! I encourage you to do the same. Again, this is why I do what I do, the way that I do it.

But you must be responsible for your own choices, in all things, including your animals!

Pet Issues - Philosophy On Animal Behavior

2017-01-03T15:52:00.006-05:00

My name is Keris Eure and I've worked in the pet grooming business for over 15 years.

I've worked at "Mom & Pop" salons, corporate salons, volunteered for rescues, owned and managed my own salon, and write a blog about animal concerns. I am a naturalist, meaning that I much prefer to do things in a natural way, working with nature the way it was created to be and has naturally evolved rather than fabricated, synthetic means.

Animals have their own form of intelligent, structured communication and social protocol. Dogs are the most domesticated animal on Earth and we as humans have taken much for granted in recent generations and have lost the essence of their true nature. This has resulted in profuse misunderstanding of dogs as pets.

Ive spent my entire career dealing with simple ignorance... People just don't understand WHY Fluffy or Spot acts the way they do....
They believe that animals are SUPPOSED to hate the groomer or the vet or nail clipping... and this just isn't so!
So I decided it was time to offer the specific service of Intervention Education!
I help assess your pet's issues and help you, and the animal, understand what's really going on.
I try to offer you solutions to make life better, happier, and more effective for us all.
I offer and assist you with many techniques including calming energy techniques and Pet Massage as simple, often times magical solutions to almost every pet issue!

It breaks my heart to see so many dogs labeled as "bad" or "mean" or "difficult" when they are simply misunderstood, much like if you were in a foreign country and did not speak the language of everybody around you. And when you did try to communicate or behave instinctively, or see your own kind and attempted to communicate with them you were scolded and separated.

I feel that it is our human rite and privilege to be responsible for these beautiful creatures.
This means it is also our responsibility to educate ourselves. Natural evolution would demand of us to consider understanding rather than resist and destroy what we cannot understand and control.

Dogs are very intelligent. They have feelings and thoughts and are emotional just as all living beings are, but that does not mean that these characteristics function the same way as our human characteristics do. Animals have so much to teach us about ourselves! But we cannot learn if we refuse to open our hearts and minds to understanding them as unique beings. And this is the approach I use to help people deal with their "animal issues".

Dogs are not always foo foo and tail wagging when they communicate with each other. This does not mean that they are behaving badly.

So what does it mean?

A wise person will take the time to find out... to realize that it does mean something... take the time to grow and expand their own consciousness.... take time to be genuinely responsible for the life of an animal that is completely dependant upon them for.... everything.
This dependency was created by us, by human beings. We are responsible.

Most often, the problems we have with our pets are directly connected to something in us - something about our patterns or behaviors.... something in our own psyche that is only noticeable in the way we deal with our dogs. Or in the way our dogs deal with us.
A lot of people do not want to go that deep into their pet's behavior! It's too scary to examine ourselves!

But ultimately, I feel that this is the dog's greatest gift to humanity, to reflect back our own self as no other creature can. This is the true story behind their title of "Man's Best Friend". No other animal in any part of our known history is like the dog. After a while, they even start to look like us!

My personal philosophy is that as the higher, more evolved being, I should take it upon myself to understand my animal companion's language and social protocol, and do all that I can to complement her life, rather than constantly struggle to force her to be something she is not. Dogs are by nature loving, caring and family oriented. Why not acknowledge that and use it as a bridge to greater understanding so that their life and ours can be knit together in a very functional, fulfilling relationship?

True love is not filled with pity. Animals do not pity one another.

If we become proactive and educated about the animal community rather than pitying or feeling sorry for all the ignorance and abuse... We become much more effective at home, in the community and the world.

Can you imagine ENJOYING your dog rather than just "coping" with him!?

This is what I do.
Help you understand your dog.
This is what Pet Groomer 911 is all about.
It's not a game of baby talk. Dogs don't do that.
"Positive Reinforcement" is often misunderstood and mis-used.
Dogs growl, bite, scratch, rip and tear.....
Dogs communicate differently.
Dogs only act aggressively under very specific circumstances. There are different types of "aggressive" behavior. And if they feel the need to be aggressive, baby talk may not be the right answer to give them.

As Cesar Millan so beautifully puts it, "be calm and assertive".
There is a huge difference between "calm" and "passive", between "assertive" and "aggressive",.

I nor anyone I may ever work with enters into combat with animals. That leads to abuse. That is what we want to change, thru education and understanding.

Choke chains, pinch collars, shock collars...... None of these are real solutions.

Grooming so many different dogs with so many different backgrounds has taught me a lot! So many dogs that used to be sedated for grooming or muzzled or turned away.... are completely different dogs now because I took the time to understand them, listen to them and reassure them that all people are not deaf to their language.

I always reserve the right to refuse service. I know when a dog or other animal's situation is beyond me! I will not endanger myself or an animal or anyone working with me. I DO NOT reinforce aggression or other undesirable behaviors. If I know I can't do it right, I prefer not to do it at all.

No nonsense.
Results.
Genuine, heart-felt help.
PG911.

#Pets and #Hurricanes - Be #Prepared !!! #2016

2016-06-04T08:15:00.001-04:00

This is an urge to become informed.

Yes it is officially Hurricane Season 2016 here along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

And YES we already have a candidate coming up for an audition this coming week!

Now while the Tampa Bay area is - in my opinion - the safest place on the entire Gulf Coast, for various reasons,

And usually these things pass us by and all we get is lots of rain....

DON'T BE STUPID!!!

Especially if you are not from the area and have never experienced a real hurricane!

Do NOT panic.... But do not be stupid.

What I'm referring to is

YOUR PETS! ALL OF THEM.

From lizards to gold fish, birds, cows, chickens, and OF COURSE your cats and dogs.

Have a plan.

Do NOT assume!

Do not assume.

Do not assume.........

Educate yourself.

Learn about services available in your area.

Figure out what to do if you: "have no money" "have no car" "have children" "have an illness, condition, disability" "have a pet with special needs"

Figure that shit out NOW!!!!!!!!

Do not wait!!!

Have a plan.

Write it down.

Be prepared.

NO ONE is responsible for you and your pets BUT YOU!!!

All day, every day. YOU.

No excuses. No whining.

Do it.

Take responsibility.

Make a plan.

Here's a "Get Started" List:

Pet Friendly Shelters (NOT ALL ARE!!!)
Organizations that offer Pet Assistance
Addresses and Directions
Phone Numbers (all of them!!! printed out or written down)
Phone Numbers (actual written/printed numbers - not contacts list, text, or speed dial)
Phone Numbers (family, friends, neighbors, businesses, shelters, organizations, doctors, banks..........)
Food
Bottled Water
Collar & Leash (REGARDLESS!!!! YOU NEED THESE!!!)
Medicines
Refrigeration Options
Crates
Wee Wee Pads
Bedding
Toys

Evacuation Routes (more than one)
Full Tank of Gas
Bug Out Bag for Pet Supplies
Batteries
Old Fashion Radio!!! Do not rely too heavily on your modern electronics! Have a backup.

Remember, in most cases you won't need to head for the hills.... But what if you do?? Just be prepared. Look at a map - You are in Florida. You are SURROUNDED by water with only one way out. And you are not alone!!!
Remember, whether its a big one or a small one, we may lose power. Sometimes power can be out for days! That means no refrigeration, no cooking, no charging electronics, no air conditioning.
Remember, it is also possible to lose water and sewer!!! That's right! If lines get broken they shut the whole system down. No running water, no washing dishes or clothes, no bathing, and no flushing!
Remember, whether you have power or not - as in a generator or solar panel - the area may still lose cell phone service if towers go down.

http://petgroomer911.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-leave-pets-behind.html

http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/petpreparedness.htm

PFS means Pet Friendly Shelter
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/pet_shelters
http://www.floridapetfriendly.com/pet-friendly-hurricane-shelters.htm
http://www.spcaflorida.org/community-resources/disaster//

#Animal #Regulations for #Breeding

2016-04-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

Just like there are regulations on wild animals and hunting....
There should be regulations on domesticated animals and breeding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO FUCKING BRAINER!!!
Only because people CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT and WILL NOT!!!!!!!! control themselves!
Especially when there's money involved!

Rather than continue to WHINE about overcrowded shelters and hoarders and animal abuse, why not just make use of the legal system that was created for those who are not evolved enough to SELF-regulate?

Anyone caught breeding animals out of season and without proper licensing gets JAIL TIME & a FINE! Yes, jail time!!! It is NOT a victimless crime!!!

Make licensing an opportunity to EDUCATE and BACKGROUND CHECK. Treat them like pedophiles! Those that are honest and truly love animals and specific breeds should GLADLY embrace such things.
Licensing should include an EXTENSIVE education on ALL ASPECTS of animals and their care.

Also, take the money saved from emptying shelters to create specific Animal Cops in ALL cities! Not just the big ones who get on TV. Let these officers be extensively educated on all things animals as well, and give them the authority to cite and arrest people that are abusing animals.

Unwanted animals are an EPIDEMIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A PANDEMIC even!!!
This is as simple as anything else to solve.
#Cesar #Millan I'm calling you out!
You have the position and money to make something like this happen.
At least get the ball rolling.
Sad to say, there are MANY people who have never heard of Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer.

I'd be willing to participate in such efforts.
But I won't do it alone.
The world is too vicious in these days for that!

Take this idea and RUN WITH IT you fools!!!

Pet Medical Emergency Situations

2016-03-05T10:19:00.000-05:00

The only medical emergency that is legitimate is one of sudden physical trauma WAY BEYOND an individual's capacity to maintain... In a dog's case, being hit by a car...
Anything else should NEVER be classified as an emergency! Pet parents should be attentive enough to NOTICE when something is developing or brewing in their pet's biology! PERIOD!

In a PERCEIVED emergency, the first thing people do and the first mistake they make - is that they panic.
They are afraid!!!
They are afraid they will lose their beloved pet (Like they're never gonna die!!) - (WHY are people never prepared for the absolute INEVITABLE!?!?!)...
They are afraid they are going to be accused.... Accused of not caring enough, accused of being irresponsible, accused of putting a dollar amount on their pet's life (implying that money is more important to them than their pet) (And this comes from UNGODLY vet bills!!!)...
They are afraid that if something really bad happens, it will have been THEIR FAULT.
And they, they, will have to live forever with that pain of guilt and remorse!

This is not love.
THIS..... Is not love.

This is selfishness.

The first thing people do when THEY think their pet is in a state of trauma or emergency.... is panic... and run to the vet.
Why.

Fear
Ignorance

What can anyone do, what can YOU do, to fix this?

Realize why you are afraid.
Absolve ignorance with knowledge.

It really is so so so simple.

First of all, it is NOT irresponsibility to know what you are doing without the help of so called "Professionals"!
You do NOT need a degree or certification to have and use your own brain and intelligence!
You do NOT need a school to gain knowledge and understanding, although you do indeed need to ask questions. Necessity is the mother of invention = Google.
NO, everything on the internet is not true, but neither is everything your vet tells you. It is simply their school of thought or their "educated" opinion. Both of which YOU can acquire for free!
EVERY single thing a vet tells you has a dollar sign attached to it. The more they tell you, the more they sell you, the more you pay. Your ignorance is their GOLD MINE.
Out of pure fear, you believe everything they tell you. (And out of pure ignorance THEY believe everything they tell you!)

But what if you found out the truth behind all the shit they tell you?
Make no mistake humans, there is a DEFINITE difference between MONEY and CARING!
Anybody who tries to convince you that MONEY and CARING are synonymous is LYING.

You cannot CARE and turn away sick animals when the pet parent has no money!!!
PERIOD.
End of discussion!!!
CARING is NOT an INDUSTRY!
CARING is NOT a FOR PROFIT CORPORATION!
MONEY is NOT just how things work!!!

So.... Learn.
My dog was recently on the brink of death.
I've been thru this drill enough times with animals that I have finally learned - DON'T panic.
See the problem.
Address the problem.
Stay out of your noisy, emotional head!

My first concern, in his case, was to make him as comfortable as possible. How do you do this? Relax yourself, and keep everything simple.
Simple food.
Ample water.
Unselfish love.

At this time, my dog did NOT want to be held or coddled.
I respected that.
I caught myself feeling sorry for him.... So I stopped. I stopped feeling sorry and just loved him.
Yes, that's right. Instead of rushing him to the vet, I just loved him.... calmly... peacefully... with no fretting inside, no anxiousness, no fear... Just love.

Knowing how to research and how to decipher truth from fiction, valuable information from hype and opinion, I already knew what his body was telling us. I have been attending to his specific needs in regard to this condition for a year or so now.
I was NOT caught off guard when he began to take a turn for the worse.
I've been paying attention all along. NOT SUDDENLY when he fell into distress!!!
So I was prepared.
Rather than rush him to a vet, I already was well informed of options, results, and consequences. I chose to offer him peace, dignity, and comfort... and my permission to cross over if he would.

I found a simple recipe to take the stress off his organs, his organs being a source of at least some of his discomfort. The key here is simple. Nothing laden with mega-dosing of herbs or other natural botanicals. Simple. Simple is what he needed. I also became keenly aware of how his body was processing liquid. So I controlled his water intake even though it seemed incompassionate to do so.
Remember, I was paying very very very close attention to everything his body was saying. So NO, I was not being stupid or careless.
As his body signals changed, I adjusted his recipe. I put out a call for energy workers to send him vibes of love to assist him.

All of this happened over the course of about 4 days. The first night it started I barely slept. I felt like he was definitely leaving this time. I had to keep checking him for breath. But by the end of the 4th day..... Against all odds.... And with NO vet visit (!!!).... He is back to his old, incorrigible self!
Miraculous!
Unbelievable!
Oh my god he's never gonna die!!!!! LMFAO!!!

Is he "cured"? No.
Is he suffering? NO! And that is all that matters to me!!!
He has always been challenging. He has never been "right".
But my god my god, what a will to LIVE!

A little PS....
The FIRST thing I did was STOP feeding him dog food and start cooking for him!
The only reason my family ever goes to "dog food" in a bag is because of financial challenges.
Well on this occasion, money be damned! I spent what I needed to spend on all organic ingredients! Much easier than the freakin vet bills would've been!!!

So....

Don't panic.
Educate yourself.
Learn the power of true love!
Learn to learn and do things for yourself.
Resolve your fears.
ALWAYS pay attention, don't wait till it's too late.
Stop judging and accusing others and it will be easier to stop judging and accusing yourself.
Pets are friends, not possessions. Listen to them. Respect them.

That is all.

Jack-Russell-Terrier T-shirt at this PG911 approved link!

Matted Dogs - You Are Not Excused

2015-11-29T14:02:00.002-05:00

As groomers, we get all manner of excuses as to why Fluffy is so matted this time! (Because god knows, she's usually in perfect condition, because she gets brushed every day, and brought to the groomer every single month.... like ALL long haired dogs..... right?)
WRONG!
By far the most common and popular line of bullshit pet parents try to feed their groomer is that "I've been out of town and I left her with..... my Mom, my neighbor, my boyfriend, the pet sitter, the kennel...!" Leaving the implication that dogs are supposed to become a grooming disaster when left in the care of anyone other than their own perfectly responsible pet parent.
Really???
Pet parents are THE WORST at finding care for their own pets. How do I know this? Because the worst grooming nightmares of dogs with homes (not strays) is that Mom and Dad 'went outta town...' and whomever was taking care of their dog was horrible.
90% of all matted dogs brought into the salon come from pet parents who were recently "outta town" and had to leave them with someone.
Now many if not most young and inexperienced groomers will go "Awwww!" and swallow it hook, line, and sinker.
But after 15 years.... human please!!
Not only do you NOT have your dog regularly groomed, I've never seen you before!
And if I have seen you before, it was 6.... 7.... TWELVE months ago!!!
No. No groomer worth their salt believes your excuses. You are not taking proper care of your dog! If you cannot afford to go to a groomer, I completely understand that. But can you afford a brush???
I understand if YOU can't cut your dog's hair! If you don't know what you're doing, YOU SHOULDN'T TRY to cut your dog's hair! But do you know how to use a brush???
"Oh he won't let me brush him!"
Oh.
My.
God.

Let me just say this OUT LOUD, to all y'all's faces.... Because we DO say it behind your back....
Why do you have a dog then?!?!

(Because you LOVE animals and you RESCUED this poor little baby from a HORRIBLE place so that you could LOVE him and give him a better life....)
LISTEN TO YOURSELVES!!!

Why are you not asking everyone you know to help you find a way to learn how to brush your dog! It's so much better to let them get SO MATTED that they have to be shaved, and often get sores and infections and hematomas from tight mats, and from the poor thing digging and chewing trying to relieve the pain! Do you know how painful it is to try to move around when your hair is stuck or caught on something?
Do you know that I've seen the long hair around a sweet little dog's penis matted tightly to the long hair of his thigh so that he couldn't walk? And the dumbass humans laughed because he looked funny trying to do it?
(My blood boils as I write this.......)
Can you believe how completely UNAWARE some human beings are....?

So find another excuse humans!
We do NOT buy the "I've been outta town and left her with...." excuse anymore! Because even if it's true, you're a bad parent! For leaving them with someone who would let them get like that!

And if you must....
I'm gonna give you a FREE chunk of gold here - When you know you're going out of town, GET YOUR DOG GROOMED before you leave!!! Get their hair cut a little shorter so as to avoid catastrophe! Hell, get them shaved down just to be safe! At least it will have grown a bit by the time you get back and their hair will be short because of responsibility, NOT because they were in pain and neglected.
Oh wait....! You in the back there! I hear your pathetic ass! "But I didn't know ahead of time, it was sudden...! waa waaa waaaaaaa!"
I have not one fuck to give you.
The moment you become "a pet parent", you become responsible for every every every single aspect of their lives in this human world you've made them a part of. YOU. You should ALWAYS have a plan of care for your pets!!!
Always.
All the time.
For ALL of your pets, no matter what species, breed, size, condition.
Along the Gulf Coast we remind people every hurricane season to have a plan of action for their pets.
Don't wait for hurricane season.....
Don't be an idiot.
Be responsible.
If you're dog is matted while under your care, YOU are responsible.
If you just legitimately rescued a dog from a bad situation, and that dog is matted as a consequence of that bad situation and you are fixing the dogs condition, then you are excused.

We have lived in so much ignorance until now.
Learn.
There is a way.
You CAN do it.
Find a way, make it happen.
Stop making excuses for not taking care of your pets.

Running to the vet all the time is NOT being responsible.
Running to the groomer in desperation is NOT being responsible.

Is your dog matted right now as you read this? Are you scared now? Embarrassed? Afraid to reach out for fear of being condemned?
Good!
Now take the first step and reach out, beyond your fear and shame, get your dog back to ground zero and don't let it happen again.
If you didn't know before, you do now. Start now.

I will not apologize for calling an idiot an idiot.
If I can help you learn I will.
They bark, the growl, they bite... and you don't understand.
I speak English, and I speak for them.

Dog-Groomer-Black T-shirt at this PG911 approved link!

Using #Dawn to Kill #Fleas

2015-04-06T18:15:00.003-04:00

I get so so so sick of hearing people - professional and non-professional - go on and on about how Dawn Dishwashing Soap kills fleas!!!
It DOES NOT!!!
But for godsake don't believe me... Try this test yourself:
Fetch a live flea and drown his ass in Dawn the bestest way you know how. Wash your dog in Dawn (It will not hurt them, but*), or just pick a flea off your pet and put the flea in a puddle of pure, straight Dawn (if you feel that's potent enough).
Watch for death. When you are convinced the flea is dead enough, take the flea OUT of the Dawn and remove any excess soap - (pat it with another paper towel - careful, it will stick). Or, pick a "dead" flea off your freshly Dawn-bathed dog.
Carefully place this flea on a big piece of fresh, clean, white paper towel. Make sure the paper towel is sturdy and in a safe place that is free from high traffic and drafts like fans or an air duct. You can even place a container such as a glass up-side-down over the body to make sure NOTHING disturbs it. (Because if you come back and its GONE, you need to know for a fact it's because the flea hopped away on its on and was not knocked off or blown away...)
Once in a safe place, walk away and leave the dead body for at least 15-20 minutes.

Then go back and look at the flea and tell me that bitch is dead. If you did not cover it with a glass, and it is gone, that means it WAS NOT DEAD.

FYI - ANY soap will "kill" a flea in exactly the same manner, not just Dawn.

Soap does NOT drown them.
Soap does NOT suffocate them.
Think about it - If synthetic chemicals like Frontline and Advantage no longer work.....

* Dawn is as harmless as any commercial soap on your pet. The biggest thing to note is that it will dry them out! Unless their skin pH is out of balance, in which case Dawn will make them gooey and basically unrinsable.

We have also "trapped" a live flea in a small jar of baking soda.... And then forgot about it! A month later...... Still alive...! Again, don't believe us - try it yourself...

Additionally, just so you know - corporate grooming salons are NOT ALLOWED to use Dawn in the salon! If they do, they are breaking policy and can be fired immediately.

Technical Flea Info: FLEAS

[All of this information is true for all fleas, on dogs and cats.
Ticks seem to be completely oblivious... They don't even get high or pretend to die for a few minutes.]

NEW!!!

i-am-DOG-GROOMER T-shirt at this PG911 approved link!

Pets and Steps or Stairs

2014-12-09T16:24:00.001-05:00

An RVer asked a question in a "traveling with pets" group about her Grey Hounds being very reluctant to go up the steps into an RV... What are some recommendations? There are many ways to approach this but here was my response:

Get a patterned rug on the steps with colors... (disregard anyone saying they are color blind.... not the point). Try tossing a tasty treat in the door and see if they'll go get it. If not, just sit on the steps and do nothing but chat with the dogs or better yet people, with the dogs on leash right there with you. Treats are good to have while doing this. Tasty treats like chicken! See if they'll start to just stand on one step at a time. Never force, and no baby talk. As a matter of fact, try not to talk to them about the steps at all. Makes them nervous. Talk to them about what you're cooking for dinner or something completely unrelated to them and the steps. Or better yet, to another person or people. This breaks the anxious energy. Gradually work your way up just sitting on each step. The point in this exercise is distraction and to completely change the energy that they are used to associating with the steps. They feel it, even coming from you. And it is not "fear", it is anxiety which is slightly different. No baby talk, no encouragement, no good boy - good girl. Totally ignore them during this process except to give niblets of a tasty treat. When they eventually make it inside on their own, again, say nothing to them. Just give treats and walk away. Anxiety disappears. Move along... nothing to see here. Slow slow slow... patience. This may take several days if you're willing. Yes I work with dogs... Hope you can use at least some of this info.

Pets Scared of Storms

2014-09-30T08:53:00.001-04:00

Maybe just maybe.....
Certain dogs are anxious during thunderstorms because they carry a higher electro static charge than others and they literally feel lightening around them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
??????!!

Christmas Shelter Dogs & Cats

2013-12-24T08:36:00.000-05:00

Ok yall.... I'm just so frikken sick of all the sad-sack shelter stories at this time of year!!!!
The sad photos, the pleas to Santa for a "forever home", the desperate bombardment of SADNESS!
That is an "issue" that runs deeper than Christmas! So lets just stop steppin' in dog shit for a minute and GET HAPPY!!!!
It's CHRISTMAS f'god sake!
And all the push to adopt shelter dogs as Christmas presents....... Well, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE AN ISSUE!!!!

Don't Do That ! ! ! ! !

Don't give animals for presents!
It's dumb. It's stupid. It creates a very long term problem for the rest of the world. It makes sure that the shelters will be full, overflowing and desperate for NEXT Christmas....

So hows about we focus on the RESPONSIBLE pet parents right now....! The Happy kittens and puppies (of all ages!) who bless us, make us laff, keep us company and listen to our hearts when no human can hear them.....
Let's celebrate THIS!!!

The shelter problem will NEVER go away! As long as there are stupid humans, there will be pain and suffering. So let's be grateful, joy-filled, and happy with the little "effers" that live with us right now. Lets hold all the other animals in our hearts while we feel this unspeakable joy and share it with them! They will feel it!!!!

Cats climbing Christmas Trees, darting in and out of empty gift bags, running thru ripped wrapping paper...
Dogs sniffing the table, drinking from your cocktail glass, stealing the gift box of chocolates.....

Celebrate.
That's all this day is about. Not beliefs. Not money. But a reason to celebrate.
So do it right!
Love your animals!
Beam that love into the world!

Merry Christmas from Petgroomer 911!!!

Reiki for Animals

2013-09-03T08:14:00.000-04:00

What is Reiki?
According to Wikipedia, (and this really is as good a definition as any) :

Reiki is a spiritual practice developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, which has since been adapted by various teachers of varying traditions. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands on healing as a form of alternative medicine and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by some professional medical bodies. Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring universal energy (i.e., reiki) in the form of qi (Japanese: ki) through the palms, which they believe allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

Some say Usui was a Christian.... but that really has nothing to do with it in my opinion.
When offering this definition in so many words to the curious, I am met time and time again with the same response...
The furrowed brow of bewilderment and a resounding, "What?!"

So let me tell you a story.... A beautiful story... That will if nothing else, give you a snapshot of the energy and nature of Reiki.

I'll begin this story in August of last year, and I will leave out many details. Suffice it to say that my daughter's best friend and companion canine of 10 years was very ill. We as a family are naturalists and prefer natural methods of doing everything. And.... while we may consider ourselves wealthy in spirit, we did not have "extra" money for vet visits at that time. We literally had no money or we would've taken him. Our choice of a natural life is not a religion! So we did every natural thing we knew to do for him but he only seemed to get worse. I feel that everything in life - EVERYTHING - is a direct reflection of some facet of our personal being, of our life. Many times the things that manifest in front of us are very hard to understand, hard to accept and much less deal with. Nonetheless, I knew that much of this scenario was for my daughter, Leo being her dog, regardless of how little sense it made. But it greatly impacted us all as we are a very close family.

One day while my daughter was at work I performed a Reiki session on Leo, along with the application of

a natural poultice. Every bit of this session was felt and intuitive and by no ones rule book. I lit incense, I entered my calm state of spirit and I let the energy flow into Leo's body. I followed a traditional chakra pattern, placing my hands on each chakra as Leo lay on his side very submissive to the energy.

In the process of Reiki, some sensitive or gifted practitioners often receive insights, images, or other intuitive knowledge about the subject of the session. Sometimes the information is clear and precise, sometimes it is vague, metaphorical and mystical. Sometimes it immediately means something to the subject, other times it makes no sense whatsoever. And yet other times when it makes no sense upon first hearing it, it will come to light and have great meaning later on.

I am one of the sensitive ones, and I tend to receive images in metaphorical, mystical imagery.
That's what happened when I did the session for Leo.

Now since Leo is directly connected to my daughter, I energetically linked my daughter into this session even though she was at work at the time. Sometimes Reiki will reveal an "issue" or blockage or whatever else, that is the cause of an illness or situation. Some situations manifest simply to draw our attention to something that we would otherwise never notice.
Dogs are reflections of the people they are bonded closest to. Therefore I did the session for both Leo and my daughter. The point of the session, of all Reiki sessions, is to bring healing. And often times, healing comes in forms that seem very contrary.

What follows are my notes from that session. They will most likely make no sense to you, but I will interpret the significant part afterwards.
ROOT - Base, water, primal, nature, reptilian
SACRAL - Owl in a tree - bare-ish, white sky, old small white barn/shed. Monkey climbs up tree, shakes tree, tree is now green, web covers tree, turns bare.
SOLAR PLEX - Modern, abstract, gray & orange, black bird, laborious, fire & molten rock, sinus pressure.
HEART - Deep, sea creatures & colors, vessels, chambers.
THROAT - Secret path right in plain sight, covered with leaves, leads to deeper secret garden = Leo walking healthy & happy -
white beads/pearls, white flowers - chocolate environment,head pressure, cheek tingle - smell rosemary.
3RD EYE - forest/jungle paradise - panning around, large round trees, water - lake - waterfall - low gentle green, very green.
CROWN - Purple infusion
lighted passageway - optional

Now the imagery in this session was very strong for me. Sometimes it is faint and becomes too foggy to describe. But this was very definite. So I immediately set out to decipher the imagery's meaning.
In a nutshell, I remember the monkey shaking the tree violently! Monkey's represent agility and therefore transition. The violent shaking was telling us to "let go". White owls represent wisdom, death, renewal. Before doing the research for this Reiki, I didn't really know these things.
A week later Leo passed.
The secret garden was my daughter's heart. I still have a very vivid image in my mind of him walking into the secret garden with her. He looked back at me strong and healthy. All the waters and greenery was the peace and health of being on the other side. He left that message for his beloved Jessi, and his family. He became a window to the other side for that brief moment, in my opinion because he was so close to it. Animals have no agenda, no convoluted schemes and twisted ideals to cloud their lives. Leo was pure love, and somehow I feel my daughter needed that "eternal" message.
We all know his energy, or his spirit, is still watching over us.

Losing Leo was the most difficult thing my daughter has ever experienced in her life. He was not "healed" in a physical sense from the Reiki I offered. But there was a beautiful message that resulted that my daughter and the whole family can cherish and be encouraged by. It was as if Leo shared his glimpse of the other side to let us know he's still here and everything's wonderful! And that has allowed much healing for us.
And honestly, I don't know what else may have been healed in the depths of my daughter's soul.

This is a snapshot of Reiki.
It is not a religion.
Its just energy.
And its sole purpose is to bring healing energy where it is needed.
It is not mine to control.
It belongs to all.

Yin-Yang-DOG T-shirt at this PG911 approved link!

Diet & Exercise 2.0

2013-07-09T19:47:00.000-04:00

To expound a bit deeper into an earlier blog, Diet & Exercise, I'd like to write a bit about food.
The FIRST STEP to good grooming is good food. I'm not talking about tasty-good, I'm talking about nutritionally good.
The FIRST ISSUE I address with my clients who report any problem with their pets whatsoever is FOOD.

There are debates..... of course there are.
But there are also some basic truths that many today are completely oblivious to, because most of the only ones available to teach them, don't know the full story either. This includes veterinarians.... yes! Yes it does! Ignorance proliferates like bunnies. Not to worry, not to blame. Let's learn.

The "packaged", "processed" dog or cat food I always recommend is Nature's Variety. The reasons are 1) they are NOT a bandwagon company. They're one of the first independent companies to do real nutrition for pets. 2) They have consistently produced a very high quality product, including thru the years of recalls because of bad meat. They raise their own...! 3) And I hope this remains the case forever... At this writing, they are still independent! Even Dick Van Patton's beloved Natural Balance was bought out by Del Monte - maker of more crap than a heard of buffalo! 4) Their recipe is raw, minimally processed.

My second choice is Halo Purely for Pets. The reasons are basically the same.... 1) Not a bandwagon company. Another of the very first to do real, natural food for pets. 2) Consistent quality and no recalls. 3) Still independently owned! A few years back Ellen DeGeneres bought into the company because she was so impressed with the results it produced for one of her pets. Amen sister! The stuff is good food! 4) Minimally processed. 5) Beautiful story of origin from a local Tampa area resident (Halo History)!!

And........... That's it. Those are the only one's I really recommend anymore.
My family has used both on and off for over 10 years.

The only other option for feeding your pets is to make it yourself at home. This is challenging. So many different opinions on what you can and can't feed a dog or cat...! All the things they say are dangerous and NEVER feed your dog.... Well they put the word out much too late! Sorry but I already fed my dogs all that stuff....! Oops! And guess what...? Didn't hurt them at all. Not one bit. Not one hair. Not one ounce. Not one iota. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grapes, raisins, chocolate, avocado, onion......
But that does NOT mean that "dangerous" foods will not hurt your animals! Everyone is different. Everyone pet parent is responsible. Do your own due diligence. Do some research. Hear all sides of the discussion. Open your heart to the truth regardless of cost, recipes, ingredients..... just desire the truth and you'll find it!

I was a firm believer in the concept that dogs aren't meant to eat grains, they're made to eat meat! Well of course this has gotten more confusing for me on a spiritual level over the past several years as I am a vegetarian. Again.... I've done new research just this past week into vegetarian diets for dogs and cats! It can be done! And very, very successfully. NO, you shouldn't go into it blindly and ignorantly.
For that matter, you may find it interesting to know that all vegetarians are not healthy! Just because vegers don't eat meat doesn't mean they eat healthy.
The point is complete, healthy nutrition!
I was convinced that grains were the cause of much of the epidemic skin allergy problem that most dogs suffer with these days. But grains are not the whole story.
Grains are good! For all animals, humans included. What's horrible is how most commercial food producers - animal and human - process the grains. The process totally destroys anything that was ever nutritious about the grain. Its processing that is the cause of allergies. Whole natural foods such as grains are INSANE in their nutritional profiles. The key is that they remain whole and complete.

Another issue, portion size. Many believe that pets, in particular cats, should be allowed to free-feed. This is not good. As a reference, think of wild animals.... What do they do? Of course they free-feed.... after they hunt the food down. This is true of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores alike. So they only eat what they work off. Pets rarely work these days. Its a shame but its the current reality. So they don't need much to eat! What they need is high quality. The more active they are, the more fuel (food) they require.

Quality over quantity.
You save money in the long run because you just don't need the vet anymore!

Money and cost is the biggest deterrent to eating healthy, again - for pets and humans. But I'm here to tell you that it can be done! Regardless of what anyone may have ever told you, your pets can eat what you eat IF you eat healthy. No processed foods, frozen foods, canned foods...
Whole, natural, organic foods.... Foods from the Earth. Foods that God made to be eaten. Same for beverages. Filtered water is a must. Tap water is not good. Teas are good for people and pets on occasion. Herbs and spices... all very medicinal. Again, you should not feed ignorantly. Do some research. There are local farmers, co-ops, farmers markets popping up all over!!! Use them!

Don't buy corporate. Buy small local organic and get healthy along with your pets!

Tipping Etiquette

2013-06-12T11:31:00.000-04:00

A year after writing the infamously popular blog Basic Etiquette on Tipping Your Pet Groomer, its surprising how many people still do not tip for services.
People always have a tendency to contract rather than relax and be generous with what they have. They live in fear of doing without to such an extent that they don't even realize what a domino effect they create in the world.
They don't consider themselves to be greedy or stingy people at all! So that means they are ruled by fear.
Funny how most of these particular people are elderly. Funny because, MY GOD! They've lived this long.....
You'd think by now they would've figured out that there's more to it than the uncertainty of money.
It has been my experience, (and I'm not yet elderly), that you reap what you sow.... If you sow generously, you reap generously! You always have as much as you need.
So why after all those years live in fear....?
Even those who lived thru the Great Depression.... lived thru the Great Depression! What seems like it should've made people stronger, only made most of them more fearful - as if that fear had saved their lives.
I shake my head.......
How miserable to live that way. Especially for so long!

Give damn it! Give..... It brings so much joy to everyone!
Tip as generously as you can and then some!
It won't kill ya. But it will make someone so happy. How much richer could you be...?

And YES, I follow my own advice. As a matter of fact, it feels even BETTER to give a generous tip when you're broke!

Another way to give is to share information about incredible service you receive. "Liking" a facebook page can really boost a business, whether you understand how that works or not! It does! Visiting web sites frequently boosts a business rating online. Leaving comments on Angie's List, Yelp, Google, and any other "review" site makes a tremendous impact on a business! I don't care about a paid commercial! Tell me what the people in my neighborhood thought of that place!

So after you read this, share it! Go to the facebook page and "Like" it! Share it on your facebook page so that all your friends and family can see that you've found a great service that they too may use.
This is the upside, the benefit of "social media".
facebook.com/PetGroomer911
PetGroomer911.com/

We have bumper stickers that we'll send you for FREE.
We'll send you business cards to pass out for FREE.
Share with your neighbors, your family, your pet sitter, your vet, your doctor, dentist, lawyer, your favorite grocer or pet store..... Let people know that you love us and they may want to use our services as well.

No one trusts anymore.... That's why it's so important to build a community out of the people close to you.

Thank you all for your kindness and for appreciating our straight-forward approach.
PetGroomer911 girls LOVE what they do!
And we appreciate you back!!
♥•♥•○•♥•♥

Basic Etiquette on Tipping Your Pet Groomer 3.0: Holiday Tips

2012-12-03T06:07:00.001-05:00

So... People are getting curious about how to tip their groomers. This is great news!

But sadly, people do not yet realize that during our holidays, namely christmas/hannukah, it is proper etiquette to tip extra.

"Holiday Tips" usually come from pet parents who have used the same groomer all year long. These are the pets that are considered request dogs and "clientele" to the groomer. Some pet parents tip regularly thru out the year and then tip extra on their last groom before the holidays, or they bring their groomer a gift. Other pet parents don't tip at all during the year but bring a nice fat tip with a card at years end. And then there are the lovely people who bring something for the entire salon!

My home salon in California used to fill up with popcorn tins, candies, cookies and various bath sets or other niks and naks!!! It was truly magical! We received gift cards, jewelry, checks and cash.... The average "Holiday Tip" was at least $50.
Here in Florida it is very different. Of course the world has turned upside down in recent years but the trend is still very different.
In corporate salons, many times the same groomer doesn't get to groom their favorite dogs because of scheduling conflicts. Only die-hard, devoted pet parents will wait for their favorite groomer and ask for them by name. These pet parents are the ones that really should tip extra for the holidays!

But even if its your first time in a salon, holiday season is typically the busiest time of year for groomers, and showing your appreciation with a little holiday bonus tip is the right thing to do. Or bring your groomer a little gift set from Target or maybe some homemade cookies...! Anything to show your appreciation for a job well done and for devoted service to your precious pet.

Yes! Tip extra for the Holidays!!!

Basic Etiquette on Tipping Your Pet Groomer 2.0: Cats

2012-12-03T05:47:00.001-05:00

Basic Etiquette on Tipping Your Pet Groomer has been my most popular blog by far. This is very encouraging to us groomers!

In 2.0 I'd like to add a few words about Cat groomers.

Not just any groomer will deal with Cats. It is much more challenging than dealing with dogs, on every level. So if you find anyone period who grooms Cats - they've already scored their tip!

Of course all the usual criteria apply - Was your Cat treated well, was your Cat injured during the process, does your Cat look like you wanted it to...?

Having mentioned this list, one should understand that Cats listen to NO ONE. And they have no real filter when it comes to expressing their emotions, especially pissed-offedness!

It is downright dangerous to groom a Cat. Because they can and will hurt you much more easily, and because they resist in such a wiley, catlike way, it is much easier to hurt them when doing haircuts.

If a dog accidentally gets nicked with the clippers during a groom, its not a good thing but its usually not really a big deal either. A Cat on the other hand has skin like rice paper. Its thin, cuts very easily, and once it is cut will continue to split like a ripe watermelon! So haircuts are exceptionally challenging for Cats.

The bathing process is much more dangerous for the groomer. Cats are tuff as nails and really aren't easily hurt as far as the restraining process. But their claws and teeth are used like the weapons of a ninja when they're upset. A Cat bite is the worst!!! A Cat bite is the only serious bite I've ever gotten in 12 years of grooming. And it was a sweet Cat, during its bath....

So... If you find a Cat groomer, and you get a good vibe from them, TIP GENEROUSLY! If your Cat has not been injured, the groomer deserves that tip! If your Cat got a bath and actually got dried, the groomer deserves a bigger tip! If your Cat got a haircut that actually looks good, the groomer deserves a very large tip!

Much respect to all the Cat groomers. And many thanks to those pet parents who "get it" and show their appreciation with generous tips. We thank you!!!

Diet & Exercise

2012-09-29T02:53:00.002-04:00

Diet and Exercise affect blood sugar.
Blood sugar affects losing hair - in people and in animals.
High blood sugar = shedding hair.
Also associated with high blood sugar for both humans and animals is:
Anxiety / Worry
Graying Hair
Brittle Hair
Lethargy
Inability to Focus
Failing Eye Sight

What else affects blood sugar?
Green Beans + (positive)
Sweet Potatoes +
Vinegar (including but not limited to salad dressings) +
Exercise such as a steady walk +

Soda -
Corn (non-organic, GMO, in any form) -
Sweet Alcoholic Beverages (such as wine coolers and malts) -
Grocery-Store-Chocolate (what you buy in the gas station or check out line) -
Sedentarianism -

Almost everyone reading this is or will soon be classified as "diabetic". Animals too. Look that word up on Wiki. Figure it out.

Moving your body in a useful, energy-burning way is exercise. Could be house cleaning, could be marathon running... but NOT marathon movie watching.
Your body needs to move.
Your animals' bodies need to move. When bodies don't move, a part of the psyche assumes its broken. And so sickness sets in.
Sickness is Nature's way of saying "Something's Wrong!".
Sickness is NOT Nature's way of saying "Go to the doctor/vet!"
Losing too much hair is NOT normal.
Adjust your diet - the food you eat, including the beverages you drink.
Move your body, as if you were alive.
Use it or Lose it!

Bad skin is Nature saying "Toxic Waste Overload!".
Bad hair is Nature saying "Malnourished!"

Processed food for animals is TOXIC. It is not natural to their systems therefore over time it builds up and presents as the most popular catch-all of our century - allergies.
It's build up, with no other way to escape the body than the skin....

Cleanse.
Massage.
Meditate.
Exercise.
Reboot.

Don't Leave Pets Behind!!!

2012-08-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, here we go.... Hurricanes are linin' up.
There's only ONE RULE for people with animals:
Be safe and never leave animals behind.
Yes, that is ONE RULE.
Prepare to stay.
Prepare to leave.
Whatever you do, do with your animals included.
Human children are a pain in the ass and you don't leave them behind sayin', "I'll be right back sweetie... soon as this weather passes..."
Be responsible. They are yours. They depend on you.
Not the sheriff, not the fire department, not the humane society, not the local high school shelter... YOU!
Don't whine, don't cry, don't blame anybody for not rolling out some magical red carpet for you!
They are your responsibility and if you can't take care of them.......
You know you live in Florida.
California has earthquakes.
The desert has scorpions.
New Orleans floods.
Minnesota has snow.
And Florida has gators, sharks and hurricanes....
If you're not prepared to live in the natural environment that surrounds you, then it may be wise to change environments.
I currently have a recovering large dog in my family. Getting him around ain't easy! But there is no option. Where I go, he goes. No matter what. I know this ahead of time, and I will be prepared with whatever means I have. Period. The End.
Don't leave animals behind.
You have plenty of warning and plenty of time to find solutions that are good and right.

If you need assistance, here are some resources:
http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/petpreparedness.htm

PFS means Pet Friendly Shelter
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/pet_shelters
http://www.floridapetfriendly.com/pet-friendly-hurricane-shelters.htm
http://www.spcaflorida.org/community-resources/disaster//

Be Safe and Never Leave Animals Behind!!!

Dog Groomer

2012-08-04T08:43:00.001-04:00

As many of you head off to your corporate grooming salon this weekend, remember one very... VERY important thing - All groomers are NOT created equal!!!
REQUEST by name, or by records, a previous groomer if you liked the groom and if your dog was happy!
All groomers, especially in a corporate salon, are NOT good! It's just that simple. They are poorly hired (not fit to work in a salon) and then poorly trained, IF they're trained at all!
Being in many different salon settings over the years I've seen how "bad" dogs mysteriously become good when matched with a good groomer. I've also seen pet parents absolutely amazed at how good the dog or cat looks after they've been groomed properly and thoroughly by a good groomer, after years of not knowing how the animal was supposed to look, feel and smell after a professional groom.
If I were you, I'd be terrified to leave my pet with a groomer!
Which is why the best grooming advice I can give you is to find that good groomer, and take good care of them! Tip generously for their extra, expert attention. Tell everyone about this groomer. Tell management how much you love this groomer. Mention this groomer by name on Yelp, or fb, or any other online rating service. And DO NOT settle for a substitute if your groomer is not available, unless that groomer has personally told you the name of another good groomer.
Lots of these kids in grooming salons are very sweet and personable at the front check in. They are very sweet to the dogs. But then they ignorantly scare them by shooting water into their faces during the bath, filling their noses, filling their ears and marring the experience forever for the dog. Then they turn a HIGH VELOCITY blow dryer on them (think leaf blower, not hair dryer) and blow that across their face and ears. These dryers can bust ear drums ok...... That terrifies them yet again. THEN its time to do the nails.... Jesus help us..... This caps off a very horrible experience for a very helpless animal. And all the while the untrained idiot performing these services remains kind and loving. No, the corporations do NOT teach their employees how to groom correctly because.... ITS A CORPORATION. There are no highly qualified professionals in charge of teaching new hires how to groom or how to handle and treat dogs! They teach their "students" about corporate policy in "grooming academy" and how to shave a dog. That's not grooming folks!!!
It takes a skilled, and in my opinion gifted, professional to groom an animal correctly. Correctly doesn't mean just remembering to wipe the ears and give you some report card (that's usually filled with BS). It means more than knowing the technicalities of breed specific haircuts... That's the least you should worry about! A proper groom means grooming the animal with an intuition that doesn't terrify the them!!!
I've rehabilitated MANY dogs that were ruined by ignorant, bad groomers.
Dogs, and cats, can LOVE the groomer!
I see stupid trusting people every day..... Don't be fooled by the front counter routine. They're all sweet! Really! And they mean well. But they have no gift for working with animals, or they've not been trained correctly. And they never will be unless they happen upon a master who takes their craft seriously.
Grooming is not a job! It is a skilled profession.
Regulating the industry and mandatory certification means nothing when you can pay any grooming school thousands of dollars and you get a certificate whether you know what you're doing or not! Don't look for certificates. Pay attention to your gut feeling.

Pay attention.......
I'm tired of seeing your dogs suffer when I KNOW it isn't necessary.
No I mean I'm really, reeeeeally, sick of it!!!!!

The QR Code...

2012-07-24T23:29:00.000-04:00

Here it is... the QR Code for Petgroomer 911.

You can scan it with your barcode app on your phone and it'll bring up the link to a special page on the website made just for peeps who scan the code when I'm out n' about. Happy Scanning!!!

Go ahead! Scan it! It's fun!