Barkies Paw Spa - Dog Grooming by Barb Carson

06/13/2025

06/06/2025

So sad to hear of another client's passing :( Sweet Killer was 16 years old and I had groomed him is whole life.
I will miss him and his family!

RIP little buddy!

06/04/2025

Very sad to hear that Gordon has lost his long-time companion Lucy.
It was a special gift to spend time with her as she dealt with many health issues.

RIP little one.....

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05/21/2025

Bitter sweet note. My pleasure to have groomed sweet Lulu for many years !

Well we are all moved and settled in here in Calgary. Just a note to say thank you for the great service that we received from you. I would like to say Lulu misses you but that probably wouldn't be accurate. Kris and I however will really miss our brief visits with you. We have found a groomer here that works from her home but she is no Barb. Again thank you,hope to see you again when we are in your area.

05/16/2025

Love this very vocal gal!

05/10/2025

This so cute ! Had to get a pair.

05/09/2025

Shout out to Bluffton Veterinary Services for taking excellent care of our Roxy today!
Some unexpected teeth work thanks to genetics of the poodle/schnauzer mix.

16 teeth removed.

Dr Stacy called throughout the day to discuss and update us on Roxy.

Very pleased with the compassion and care.

Thanks again Dr Stacy!

05/03/2025

🚔 New Way to Report Non-Emergencies in Alberta
Starting April 2025, Albertans can now call 310-RCMP (7267) to report non-emergency incidents to the RCMP—no area code needed, and no long-distance charges!

✅ Not an emergency, but still need police support? Examples include (but are not limited to):
• Minor vehicle collisions
• Property theft or damage under $5,000
• Break-ins that already happened
• Suspicious activity or scams (where no money/info was exchanged)

📞 Your call goes straight to the Alberta RCMP Operational Communication Centre, where it’s prioritized and responded to accordingly.

📲 You can also report through the Alberta RCMP app or online at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ab

Help keep 911 clear for real emergencies. Know the difference. Call 310-RCMP for non-urgent police matters.

04/26/2025

Why I don’t advocate for “squeezing”!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1APtUhb2Za/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🤏 If your groomer is routinely expressing your dog’s a**l glands, it could be doing more harm than good.

In healthy dogs, these glands should empty naturally during bowel movements💩—not by force. Repeated squeezing can traumatize the delicate ducts, which can lead to chronic inflammation, scar tissue that can affect the gland’s proper function, and long-term damage.

Even worse, every manual expression carries the risk of introducing bacteria🦠 and triggering infection. Unless there’s a medical reason, it’s best to leave healthy glands alone.

But here’s the thing: when those glands don’t empty naturally - and you start noticing that fishy odor🤢 - it’s usually a sign there’s a deeper issue.

Without enough pressure during a bowel movement, those glands don’t empty like they’re supposed to — and that leads to inflammation, impactions, and in some cases, full-on infections.

What’s causing those mushy poops in the first place? Often, it’s a mix of:
🥦 Low-fiber diets
🍗 Food sensitivities (like chicken, beef, or dairy)
🦠 Gut microbiome imbalance
🤏 Routine expression at the groomer

If your dog is struggling with soft stool:�Add a small dose of slippery elm or psyllium husk to your dog’s meals — it can help bulk up stool and encourage the glands to empty on their own.

🥣 Start with ¼ tsp for small dogs and increase up to 1 tsp for large breeds, based on size. Always introduce slowly, and always ensure plenty of hydration!💧

This Sunday at 12pm EST, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about a**l gland health — and how to fix it. We’ll cover home remedies, anti-inflammatory supplements, and Dr. Becker’s protocols for infection, impaction and more! PLUS all of the information from this episode, with dosages and recipes, will be available in a downloadable PDF on the Inside Scoop group page!

👉 Comment SCOOPERS and we'll message you the link to join Inside Scoop, a Planet Paws monthly subscription group, where all live podcasts are available to watch at any time. Plus, over 5 years of content including: past live podcasts, interviews, ebook downloads, and more!

04/13/2025

Roxy had fun! We will be back.