Muddy Paws Grooming & Boarding

12/03/2025

Just like you and your pets, Santa's reindeer need to be examined and issued health certificates in order to travel between U.S. states or across national borders. Thankfully, they've never had a problem being certified for flight, due in good measure to the regular examinations and preventive veterinary care they receive from American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) president to keep them healthy!

As Official Veterinarian of the North Pole, the AVMA president performs this important annual examination every year with the aid of a veterinary technician from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).

They ensure that all Santa’s reindeer are in great shape and free of injury and disease before their big flight!

Because animals require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) before travel, the AVMA president's sign-off means the reindeer on the team are healthy enough to help Santa deliver presents.

And just in time!

12/03/2025

Information about your dogs nails.

Your dogs nails should be trimmed once a month!

What happens if your dogs nails have not been cut and are overgrown? (Too long)
1. The quick lengthens, which means it will be quite the process to get them trimmed short again. Rarely an “easy fix”.
2. Your dogs nail is more likely to get caught on something which can injure them resulting in an uncomfortable vet visit.
3. In extreme cases the nail can curl under and become embedded resulting in a very uncomfortable and pained dog in need of a vet visit.
4. When nails touch the ground your dogs weight will be distributed incorrectly. This results in:
5. Joint pain, arthritis issues.
6. Your dogs paws and toes will become painfully splayed out or even twisted.
7. Your dog could become paw sensitive, making future nail trims, grooming, ect. Difficult.

8. Make certain to check your dogs nails and keep them maintained. Never assume that the sidewalk has filed them down enough for good nail health.
9. When trimming always trim small slivers at a time, stopping when you see a black center of the nail, this means your next to the quick.
10. Your dog needs to be ok for nail trimming, this is an important life skill. Work with your dog, train your dog, find a patient groomer who won’t dangerously wrestle and traumatize them, making it even more difficult.

12/03/2025

The severity of mats. Mats are more than just a tangle in your dogs coat. A lot of people are unaware just how detrimental a mat is. Here is some knowledge on mats that will be quite the eye opener.
1. Mats pull on the skin.
2. They harbor bacteria, dead skin, debri and can smell.
3. They can create sores and wounds underneath.
4. Mats in the paw pads or armpits can change your dogs gait.
5. They are painful just existing. Creates bad blood circulation and can cause the blood to rush back to that area when removed. Hematomas. Bruising.

Removing mats:
1. Removing mats by brushing them out takes ALOT of time. And therefore costs more money.
2. Brushing them out still damages that hair.
3. Cutting them out can be dangerous especially if done by a non professional and will leave holes in the coat.
4. Clipping them out is still a lot of time, stressful and painful as the mats are pulled and tugged. It takes a very close (short) cut to get underneath mats to get them out. About 1/4 inch of coat will be left or bald spots.
5. When your dog needs the groomer to remove mats they are not set up for success. It is far more difficult to remain calm, comfortable and cooperative

12/02/2025

Working on old dogs.

There will come a day when the age of your best friend may prevent them from safely getting groomed. 🥺 Here is some information to consider to help your senior dog that groomers should be aware of.

1. Older dogs have thinner skin, this means it is more inclined to tear. Pay special attention to this when working out mats as this becomes a risk with every tug of the brush.
2. Older dogs may have growths, moles, skin tags that can get caught in a clippers blade, scratched with the brush. Both of which will be painful for your dog or even result in serious injury.
3. Arthritis and hip/joint issues may be present in an older dog. As groomers there are things we can change during the grooming process to help work around such issues. Such as using our leg underneath them to help support their weight, being extra gentle, giving breaks and carful moving the area if needed and maybe leaving a dog slightly incomplete. But keep in mind that grooming is an endurance game lasting approximately 2 hours! They will be asked to get up and down from the table and bath in most cases, asked to stand a lot of the time, and be touched and moved the entire time.
4. Old dogs may not be able to hear or see. This dog can be groomed but keep in mind they may need more patience and time so they don’t get startled.
5. Always inform your groomer of any surgeries, pains, moles (ect.), ailments and age of your dog.
6. It is imperative to not allow your senior dog to become matted. Mats are not ok for the average pet much less our senior fur babies. They are far more risky to endure and remove on an older dog.

12/01/2025

Why pet parents are not allowed into the groom room.

1. Insurance policy. It is not covered in the policy if a pet parent slips, knocks their head on an open kennel door, gets injured in any way past the lobby threshold. The possibility of a high dollar lawsuit is not worth it. Groomers could lose their job, their salon and more.
2. Dogs behave differently when their parent is around. Excitable behavior is not safe to groom. Movements to try to get their parents attention can result in serious injury. Our tools are razor sharp.
3. The energy from pet parents (and groomer) are picked up by the dog. So if the pet parent is anxious the dog is anxious. If the groomer is anxious (someone hovering over you while you work can do that) than again the dog is anxious.
4. Other dogs. We never know exactly how another dog in the shop will react to someone else’s presence. The liability a pet parent in the groom room presents is to high.

11/27/2025

11/24/2025

💛 A Moment From the Pack Leader – Why I Love What I Do

Let me take a second to speak from the heart…
Because today reminded me why I love being a pet stylist so much.

Yes — grooming is hard.
It’s long hours, sore backs, tired hands, and a level of strength most people will never truly understand.
But the part that keeps me going?
It’s not just the haircuts…
It’s the memories.
It’s the stories.
It’s watching our Pack families grow right in front of me.

Some of the kids who used to walk in holding their parents’ hands…
are now teenagers pulling up on their own to drop off the same pup.
Some of the little ones who used to sit in the car watching me groom…
are now off in college — with puppies of their own joining the Pack.
I’ve watched families expand, change, overcome, and celebrate.
I’ve seen life happen… through the eyes of the families who trust me with their pets.

Every groom carries a moment.
Every pup carries a chapter.
Every family carries a story I’m blessed to be part of.

So yes — grooming takes strength, patience, and a whole lot of endurance…
But through all the pain and all the hard work, the memories honestly make it feel so small.
Because this isn’t just grooming.
This is community.
This is family.
This is love in every season.

Thank you for letting me grow with you — and for letting your pups grow with me.
That is the real reward. 🐾💛

11/23/2025

All Donations will receive a discount! Muddy Paws is taking a family in for Christmas a single Mom with 2 kids:
1 years old girl and a boy 6 mths old.
I will be accepting gifts and donations at the shop untill Dec 20th
Things needed or wanted
Mom- pajamas size Large & cooking items pots pans and basic hygiene things.
Diapers size 3 4 5
Wipes- sensitive
Formula similac purple can total comfort
Any toys age appropriate for 1 and 6 mth old
Clothing size 12-18 girl
Boys 9/12 mths boy
Also gift cards are fine! Kroger & Walmart
You can also send $ to Cash app $MissyGean80
I will post pics of cash app code and formula!
Let’s make this Christmas amazing for them Thanks!

11/22/2025

Dogs & Cats get their nails done too! We are giving coupons to get one FREE nail trim at Muddy Paws when you adopt ☺️

11/21/2025

We only have a few spots left!
662-241-0005