22/02/2025
*RANT AHEAD*
I've debated for weeks about posting this but honestly, I feel I need to. All of my clients know how much I love my own dogs and my clients dogs, and how heartbroken I am if ever anything happens to them. But anyway, here goes....
As a groomer, we put our hearts, bodies and emotions on the line daily, working with other people's precious furbabies and doing what we love. We are passionate about our work and enjoy the challenges and differences each day brings. We continue to undertake training and educate ourselves on new methods, products, tools and equipment or simply to refresh our skills. We spend countless hours going through the latest trends, haircuts, breed standards all to perfect our craft. We miss lunch breaks, loo breaks, live on coffee and lollies just to get through a day of work. We work unwell, in pain, dosed up on panadol or ibuprofen, covered in cuts, scrapes and bruises along with unseen injuries like RSI or carpal tunnel. We advise clients of any issues we may notice, lumps, bumps, changes in behaviour etc. We work incredibly gently with all of our clients, but especially so with the very elderly and fragile doggies. We are filled with joy when someone gets a new furbaby and we are heartbroken at the news of one of our "old timers" having crossed the rainbow bridge.
On top of all of this, (and I cannot speak for all groomers) I work incredibly hard to ensure that my workspace is clean, sanitised and pest free. This is an absolute minimum requirement in my view. Anyone who has watched me work, knows how fussy I am about this. I hate loose hair on my workbench or under my feet, I sanitise between dogs, I offer clean bedding to any dog who has to wait for their owner to return and my bath is cleaned and sanitised between clients.
It is therefore VERY upsetting when we hear about people who have not even used our services, telling horror stories to people they don't know, of pets being mistreated or going home having "caught" fleas or other pests from their appointment.
As a client, if you have an issue with your pets groomer - speak with them directly. Please DO NOT blast their business without first giving them a chance to rectify any issues. If you are really unhappy and don't feel you are being heard, go to someone else. There are plenty of us around. Not every groomer will be the right fit for you and/or your dog.
If you ever come across someone speaking ill of me or my business, please do not hesitate to let me know. These people can be the difference between groomers making a living, paying their bills and doing the job they love or having to close their business due to ignorance and false stories. Defamation is serious, especially when it affects people's mental health or their livelihoods.
