09/04/2026
“Raising a dog is like a rainbow. Puppies are the joy at one end, and old dogs are the treasure at the other"
As a groomer, I’m fortunate to spend my day with dogs of every age. Introducing puppies to grooming is especially rewarding, as I help them feel safe and build positive experiences. If I’m lucky, I watch them grow and care for them for years. When they’re young, we naturally adjust for their ability and attention span with patience and understanding. As dogs grow older, they need that same grace again, though it often sneaks up & catches us unaware.
I call senior dogs antiques because they are past a certain age and priceless. Puppies are wonderful, and I love every one I meet, but senior dogs melt my heart. They move through each day as they always have, even as we recognize that accommodation is needed. Their senses fade, their joints ache, and their skin becomes thinner. The strong muscles of youth may tremble now, and standing still for long periods can be difficult.
As I groom your dog into their senior years, there will likely come a time when we need to talk about comfort grooming. Together, we’ll decide what matters most, we might adjust the order of the service or shorten the coat to make it easier on them. It is one of the hardest conversations I will ever have with you because it means gently acknowledging the age-related challenges your dog is facing. I have that same conversation with myself every time I groom Harry, and it's not easy to accept the truth, and make those changes. Changing his haircut is a visible reminder that he is a senior dog and that our time is finite.
Harry was once a fully furnished Westie. Now he is half furnished, and soon, when we're ready, he will be clipped short. For now, we’ve made accommodations and changed our process, but I know the day is coming when groomer-me will have that conversation with owner-me again. When I have that conversation with you, please know I understand the emotion it brings up and that it comes from a place of love for your dog and a commitment to doing only what is best and right for them. 🐾💞
