Hollybush Hairy Hounds

25/06/2024

Hi, all
Just a note to new enquirers to say I have had to permanently close due to ill health.

To my regular clients and friends

I know I spoke to you all. And I would like to thank you all for the many happy years I had grooming your lovely dogs.
It has been wonderful that so many of you have stayed in touch to let me know how your dogs are getting on. Please continue to do so, as I miss them all so much.

I should have posted this much sooner, but as I'm sure you can appreciate, it was a difficult one to post. From a few customers all those years ago, when my boys were small, my wee business grew to the point where I could no longer take on any new clients. All from your recommendations.
And I had harboured a tiny hope that I may at least be able to continue to groom a few of the easiest dogs.
I now know this is completely unrealistic.

So thank you all for your past patronage, continuing support, and the many years of pleasure I have had from you and your dogs.

Lots of Love from myself, my boys, and Big Ben. He misses his friends too!

🐕🐶

07/07/2023

Does anyone localish have a freezer, or fridge freezer, double bed, or washing machine going cheap? Oh, and a small lawnmower of any description?
Son and girlfriend moving from small furnished flat to unfurnished house.
They are not fussy. If it works, they'll take it!
Anywhere 20 or so mile radius of Irvine.
Thank you.

02/07/2023

Please remember that a well maintained dog, well behaved, and visits groomer regularly from young will be far easier to groom, with less stress, and a look that you prefer. At a cheaper price.

We cannot produce a great look on a matted dog that is difficult to groom and never met a groomer before.
HOWEVER, we can advise on how to improve your home maintenance and your dog's behaviour, should your dog have needed to be clipped shorter than you expect, first visit.

Maintaining your dog is not intuitive. I'll never tell you to "brush your dog" without showing you HOW. I had to learn once, after all!

If your dog has never been groomed professionally before, or has become matted for any reason, it can USUALLY still be groomed.
However, initially it may need to be clipped short, or behaviour could mean grooming in stages to accustom dog ( and maybe you too) to the process.
Please never feel embarrassed or ashamed to bring your matted or difficult dog to groomer. And remember that no question is a stupid question if you don't know the answer!

Our priority is your dog's welfare. We'll do the best we can. If that means a shave, the first time, we will show you how to get a better look once it grows back in. Providing you keep to regular recommended appts and follow instructions/ advice.
Our 2nd priority is to give the look you want. After all, our business depends on the quality of our work!
We are here to help.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions. An enquiry does not mean you must book with me. You can go and ask other groomers before you make a decision on the groomer you choose to entrust with your dog's care. It could be for the whole of the dog's life, as many of mine. So you really should research and speak to other groomers before you decide.

Please CALL 07851 426448 to book or ask advice. It is almost impossible and takes far too long by any form of text to thoroughly assess your needs. A hands on free consultation may be necessary in some cases.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Ruth

01/07/2023

Yes, I am finally taking on a small no of new clients.
However, due to the amount of no shows recently by new clients, I will now be charging a non-refundable £20 deposit upon booking for new clients. This will not affect those who turn up, as it is part of your overall price.

No appt is assured until this is paid. All new appts on first come, first served basis.
Appts only confirmed on receipt of deposit paid.

Deposits can be paid via PayPal, bank transfer or pop in with cash.

01/07/2023

Some great dogs for your perusal😁

01/07/2023

Elderly dogs.
I groom many.
They have been with me for many years now, most of them.
I see the deterioration in their health, how they change.
I see the risks in grooming elderly dogs.
Stress must be kept to a minimum.
Grooms need to change from being pretty to keeping the dog comfortable. In its body and mind.
Time taken needs to reduce.And methods changed, often. Eg, from hand stripping to clipping. And owners must be extremely clear that an elderly dog COULD die on the groomer's table. However happy it is ( or has been) to be groomed. Should the worst happen, this is not the fault of the groomer. And with a regular dog, has been well discussed in advance.
Dog's perceptions change as they age. Sight, hearing tend to fade first. They may become confused (Dementia) .
Their tolerance to grooming can change drastically.

If they stay with their regular groomer, all of this can be allowed for.

I'm having a lot of enquiries recently to groom elderly dogs with problems whose groomers have either given up grooming or decide not to groom the dog due to the associated risks.

I WILL groom a new to me elderly dog, if it is likely to suffer significantly by not being groomed.
And is in good health. Under welfare terms and strict policies. And has been regularly groomed.
I prefer not to and would ask that dog stays with the groomer it knows as that is much less stress for the dog, so much safer.
If that groomer refuses, I will discuss.

I'd never let one of my elderly dogs go elsewhere if I can help it. I'll see them out with all associated reasonable risks as I know them best other than owner. And know that I can take to vet if necessary. And I know them well enough to see stress signs very quickly. . And when grooming is just too much anymore.

However. I will NOT groom an elderly dog who has not been regularly to a groomer for most of its life. By regularly I mean every 3 months max for last 3 years.
Professional grooming needs to have been a part of its regular routine for most of its life. Not a new thing. And I will not take on a matted elderly dog. That proves a lack of regular grooming, and though I'd love to help, that, IMO needs to be undertaken by a vet groomer with full health monitoring throughout.

"Elderly" means so much for different dogs at different ages.
I'll ask a LOT of questions before I decide to groom an 'elderly' dog. Age is not the barrier, health is. Some are elderly at 7 yo. Some not till 16 or more.
So please give accurate info about your dog when enquiring to book.
Thank you
Ruth
07851 426448

17/06/2023

"❤ Last weekend home owners found a 5-6 week old female eastern grey squirrel in their yard, crying and walking up to them, dehydrated and malnourished. They brought her in. It was apparent something had happened to mom and after a day or two she had braved her way down to seek help. They were told to please watch and listen for siblings and to call if they found any. The following day another call came, her brother had showed up mid day, very dehydrated and covered in fleas.
Here they are a couple days later, cleaned up, rehydrated, full bellies, and back together.
THIS is why when you can’t reunite with mom you ALWAYS make every effort to find them all, and this is why you NEVER, EVER separate siblings ❤"❤

17/06/2023

A few dogs so far this month.

17/06/2023

Sad news yesterday.
A lovely long standing regular went to the rainbow bridge.
He'd been diabetic for much longer than he had any right to be! A real wee tough nut.
A sweetheart to groom for the last 8 yrs or so that I've known him. He was 13 or more, I believe.
The vet gave him weeks to live and he's been groomed regularly since, including TWO Christmas grooms!
He became blind and deaf, but still knew his routine, walked out to my car and back again after groom. Walked to table and waited to be lifted. Stood like an angel.
The best bit was taking him home. He was allowed 5 teeny bits of dried liver. I'd ring the bell, he would ask for his treats on doorstep. Never before. Wouldn't eat them in salon. Wouldn't leave me till he had them. No more, no less! I'd go in for a chat, he'd roll around, be a daft pup for a while ( only a minute or so latterly) say goodbye then have a drink and check his food bowl and ignore me after that!
He was quick comfort grooms recently. I knew long ago that this was coming. But wasn't quite prepared for the grief I felt today😪
I'll miss you, Chicco.
You and your "Mum" lightened hard days, and made good days even better.
My thoughts are with Chicco's owner and larger family. He will be very badly missed.
Photo is last Christmas.
Goodnight, sweet boy.
Thank you for your love over the years.

Dog Grooming Business.
Hand- stripping undertaken
Nervous and large dogs catered for
Late appointme

05/06/2023

Only a couple of appointments left for June now.
Please call or text 07851 426448
Thank you.

03/06/2023

After my time off, my lovely regulars are all back on schedule.
I have a few appts available for new dogs going forwards. Just a couple left for June.
Please call or text 07851 426448 between 9am and 6pm Mon to Fri.
No calls will be seen or answered outwith these hours.
If I'm busy with a dog, text or leave a voicemail. I'll get back to you at end of the working day.
DO NOT try to contact me through messenger. My business page will not let me open or reply to these messages.
WhatsApp is available, and preferable if I need to see/ send pics of your dog. But phone or text are most reliable.

Thank you
Ruth