Ruff Life Grooming

08/27/2026

Rub a dub dub, Beau is having fun in the tub 🤣🛁🐾

08/10/2026

🧠 MINDSET MONDAY

Your dog's "normal" is one of your best first aid tools.

You don't need medical training to notice when something isn't right.

You need to know your dog.

How do they normally breathe when they're resting?

What color are their gums?

How quickly do they bounce back after exercise?

How much do they usually drink?

What's normal energy for them?

Because sometimes the first sign of trouble isn't dramatic.

It's simply...

"That's not like my dog."

🐾 They're quieter than usual.

🐾 They're breathing differently.

🐾 They don't want breakfast.

🐾 They're suddenly restless and can't settle.

🐾 They're moving differently.

🐾 Something just feels off.

Don't dismiss that instinct.

You see your dog every day. You're often the first person who can recognize that something has changed.

First aid isn't always about bandages and CPR.

Sometimes it starts with noticing.

❤️ Learn your dog's normal—so you're better prepared to recognize their not normal.

Pause. Assess. Respond.

🐾 What little behavior immediately tells you something isn't quite right with YOUR dog?


PC Moshehar Pixabay

08/03/2026

Ever wonder what a dog groomer in the wild sounds like? Volume up! 😆

07/27/2026

Everyone meet George (say “hi George!”). This big boy may look doodly but he’s a Bouvier des Flandres (or Cowherd of Flanders). This breed originated from Belgium and were originally used for herding cows but were also used for pulling carts and being watchdogs. These majestic beasts weigh anywhere from 70-110lbs according to the AKC breed standard. One of their earlier names was vuilbaard, which translates to “dirty beard.” The more you know….🧠📕📚🤓🐾

07/21/2026

🐾🐈‍⬛🐕‍🦺🌈

For those of us who have lost a beloved pet, this is a great resource to help get through a grief that not everyone understands.

Losing a pet can be a deeply emotional experience. For some people, pets are cherished members of the family, and their loss can bring feelings of grief, sadness and other complex emotions.

This week’s session is focused on Coping with Pet Loss. Together, we’ll explore:

✔️ Understanding the emotional impact of losing a pet.

✔️ The different emotions that can arise during the grieving process and why they are all valid.

✔️ Healthy coping strategies to help navigate grief and support your mental well-being.

✔️ A safe, judgement-free space to learn, reflect and connect with others who may be experiencing similar feelings.

sessions are open, welcoming spaces to learn more about mental health and access helpful resources. This session offers a supportive environment to better understand pet loss, build healthy coping skills and gain knowledge to support your overall well-being.

To register, email: [email protected]

To learn more: https://rebrand.ly/wellness-wednesdays

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Newfoundland) | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (most of Labrador)

Location: Online via Zoom

NL Health Services is committed to being as inclusive and accommodating as possible, which is why we offer our groups multiple times throughout the year and across different time windows to support participation for everyone. Stay tuned for updated group times.

06/30/2026

Please hang tight if you’re waiting in my inbox. My sweet senior kitty crossed the rainbow bridge today. I’ll get back to you within the next day or so 🌈🙏💔

06/21/2026

🐶👃 Jacobson’s Organ: Your Dog’s Secret Superpower!

Have you ever noticed your dog intensely sniffing a patch of grass, another dog’s urine, or even chattering their teeth afterwards? They are probably the Jacobson’s Organ, also known as the Vomeronasal Organ (VNO).

🔬 What is Jacobson’s Organ?

Jacobson’s Organ is a specialised sensory structure located in the roof of a dog’s mouth, just behind their upper front teeth. It connects to the nasal cavity through tiny ducts and allows dogs to detect chemical signals that their ordinary sense of smell cannot fully analyse.

👃 A Second Sense of Smell

While a dog’s nose is already extraordinary (with up to 300 million scent receptors compared to our 5 - 6 million), Jacobson’s Organ serves a different purpose.

Rather than detecting everyday odours such as food or environmental scents, it specialises in detecting pheromones and other chemical messengers.

💡 What are pheromones?

Pheromones are chemical signals released by animals that can communicate information such as:

🐕 Reproductive status
🐕 Social relationships
🐕 Territorial boundaries
🐕 Stress and emotional states
🐕 Individual identity

When dogs investigate urine, faeces, scent markings, or even areas where another animal has recently been, they’re gathering a remarkable amount of information.

In many ways, it’s the canine equivalent of reading someone’s social media profile!

🐾 Why do dogs spend so long sniffing?

Because they’re not just smelling.

They’re collecting and analysing information about:

✔️ Who was here
✔️ How long ago they were here
✔️ Whether they were male or female
✔️ Their reproductive status
✔️ Their emotional state
✔️ Their general health

What looks like “just sniffing” to us is actually an incredibly sophisticated form of information gathering.

🐶 Why should owners care?

Allowing dogs time to sniff during walks isn’t a waste of time 👉 it’s an important species-specific behaviour that provides:

🌱 Mental enrichment
🧠 Cognitive stimulation
😌 Stress reduction
🐕 Opportunities for natural investigation

Research confirms that sniffing activities can lower heart rate and promote emotional wellbeing in dogs.

So next time your dog insists on investigating that interesting scent patch for several minutes, remember:

💢They’re not being stubborn.

💢They’re reading the local news. 📰🐾

😌A fun fact: Jacobson’s Organ is also found in many other animals, including cats, horses, snakes, and some mammals. Cats often use it during the well-known “stinky face” response called the Flehmen Response, where they curl their upper lip to direct scent molecules towards the organ. 🐱👃