Something New

Well, I am going to start going back to work part time in 4 weeks from now. I have mixed feelings about this, but I think the good outweighs the bad. I will be grooming 2 days a week at my Veterinarian's office. I absolutely LOVE this vet and all the people that work there, so that makes going back to work ALOT easier! I also will be the only groomer, so I'm not having to worry about working (or even managing) in another shop with a ton of other women! :) Don't get me wrong, the vets' office is pretty much all women (there are a few men-2 of which are Doctors), but groomers are a rare and different breed altogether! That being said, I'm now starting to really look forward to getting out of the house and around adults 2 days out of the week.

I had to post these pictures though, b/c before I got the job I went over there a couple times to groom fro them so they could see how I work, how I groom, and how I deal with customers. Needless to say that all went well! LOL Anyway, one of the days that I was there I had to groom a Portuguese Water Dog. (This is the same breed of dog that our president owns now) These dogs are pretty difficult to do. More so b/c they have a specific cut, and b/c most owners of this breed of dog don't let just ANYONE groom their dog! So, when I find out that I had to groom one, I freaked out a little. I have NEVER groomed one of these dogs! So, the night before, I did my research online and thru the book that I had on grooming all the dog breeds. I went in the next day very prepared, nervous, but also a little excited as well! Well, all went well! The dog came in with the pattern already clipped in (she just hadn't been groomed in a few months), so I just had to follow the pattern pretty much. But, I did have to trim up the top of the head and everywhere that I had looked the night before really didn't say much about the head. Other than, trim just a little, don't let there be a distinction between the top of the head and where the ears start, and that the head still needs to be longer than the body! That is some direction, but when you get a dog with a "mop" on it's head, and an owner that grooms and shows her dogs, needless to say I was concerned I would do it wrong! Thankfully, when I brought the dog out to her "mom", she was THRILLED!!! She said I did a GREAT job on the head, and that the poofy hair on her body I trimmed up VERY nicely. She said she was impressed and happy with what I had done! Whew! :) I was so excited to get those comments. I had a great time grooming her and enjoyed the challenge, so I was really glad to get that feedback at the end!

So, I know that this isn't an exciting entry for most, but I just had to share my excitement! :) I start as a groomer at All-Star Animal Hospital on August 3rd, so for those of you in the area, please get the word out to those you know and send some business my way! :) I'm looking forward to getting the chance to groom some breeds that I haven't done ever, and some that I haven't done in awhile (since being at PetsMart). I hope that this will prove to be a productive business adventure on both my part and the vets'. I sure hope that I earn some good money too, as that was the major motive behind wanting to work these days as well! Oh yeah, the pictures at the top are before and after pictures of the dog. The pictures on the left are before and afters of the body (the before is on the top). The pictures on the right are the before and afters of the head (the before is on the top). The pictures are hard to tell, but trust me, there is a definite difference, especially in the head! :)