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I am unable to upload any photos anymore as my computer considers this to be a malicious add-on. Therefore I will not use this blog any more because without photos it is useless to me and my family/friends. ByeBye Too Bad So Sad.

Rufus is here to stay for a week. He is an 8 month old Airedale and a whole lot of fun to have around. Our boys have met him before so the meet and greet went smoothly...even uncle Rexy settled in well with his presence. These photos are of quiet time in the shop after a good long romp and play.

Later today Ziggy, the Jack Russel Terrier, will be by for his #10 shave off. He does not get a bath due to skin problems so there'll be one more dulled blade for the sharpening box. He is a bit of a touchy boy about his legs and from time to time the muzzle comes into use. Otherwise it is a quick and easy job.

Heidi came in for her end of summer tidy before heading home for the winter months. She was in only 4 weeks prior so it was basically a bath and brush with customer requested 'pixie feet' and tidied face. She is a 14 year old shihtzu cross...kind of tall and terrier like ... her owner likes the schnauser type fringe of 1 1/2 inches along the tummy line to diguise her lanky legs. She is pretty close to blind judging by the way she picks up her feet when she walks.

Well now here's Rocky, Newfie Cross, with a seriously matted coat after all of his summer swimming at the lake. The matting went all down his back and sides. I was able to squeak a #5 blade under the felt so he at least had some fuzz left this year. Last year I could only manage a #10. His owner and had hoped it would not come to this again as I did a thorough groom on him in the spring before any mats could form then. But alas here we are again. The final outcome was not as drastic as last fall. As before though his mane, legs and tail were dematable but the body all came down to a #5 length this year. Better luck next year Rocky as we may shave in the early summer so by fall he might be fine.

Well I've had the regulars come and go over the summer scattered inbetween with the some boarding and daycare dogs. But, the cat room remains unused to date. I've sent an application into the SPCA to foster cats in hopes to make use of this part of the facility. I've added a hiding/perching type cardboard box to each cat kennel now after seeing them in use at the SPCA. I simply went to UHaul and bought new small size boxes for this purpose. They are 12x12x16. I cut about an inch and a half off and inverted it on top to hold the bed and cut an entry arch in the side of the box. These are not in the photo as I took this shot some time ago. There have been a few more finisihing touches to the kennel walls as well. I sure hope the SPCA needs me otherwise I'll just have to go out and get me some cats on my own to care for. I miss having cats about the place.

Texas was with for us daily doggie daycare for two weeks while his owners vacationed at the resort 5 km up the road. He is a Lab/Newfoundland cross and really looks like an oversized Lab. He is 1 year old and full of exuberant energy...his folks were thrilled that he had so much fun and exercise here. At the resort he had to be on leash all the times and tended to bark in his loudest and most fierce voice at all who passed by their site. While here his barking was quite minimal as he was much too busy having fun chasing squirrels and romping along with our 2 Standard Poodles...even cranky old uncle Rexy our Pom/Poodle cross enjoyed his company. This photo is of him all bathed and brushed and ready to head off home to Seattle.

Yuki is a cute little Chihuahua cross and is a regular grooming dog here at the shop. She is staying with us for 3 days as a boarder. She will be groomed later today to get her all ready to go home early tomorrow morning. She's very shy and being the only boarder just now she has lucked out and gets to come in the house to watch TV with us in the evening. Ah yes we do spoil her!

The grooming table has not been very busy this summer but today WOW...not by volume but by size!! Today Clifford came to my grooming table. He is a 9 year old Newfoundland...so cool, so calm and so gentle!! This was a 4 hour groom and only so because his owner had cut out a bunch of mats already. He got bathed and dematted and tidied. What an excellant dog but thank goodness that my hubby is big and strong. We lifted him in and out of the tub directly to the table. I was able to dry and groom his hind end before he got to tired to stand. I finished his front end while he sat. Then when he finally had to lie down on the table I worked out his throat and ear mats. We lifted him down from the table in his lying position. We took him out for a walk about so I could see him in a larger perspective and so he could relieve himself. Then I was able to run a 1 inch combe down his front legs to even them out better. He still had some choppiness to his looks from the 'home' scizzoring but he looked 100% better. Every one felt great about the groom!!