Wow, that's a first: a bad haircut...

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I can't believe this is happening to Monty. We were lucky to find a great groomer when he was a puppy and we've been going to this place ever since. Unfortunately, the original owner/groomer of the store passed away last spring. Even when she started having health problems, she hired a couple of new groomers and they were all fine and Monty usually came out looking nice. They would shave the bridge of his nose, so I learned to tell them not to do that. Monty's last haircut was a little more than three months ago, so it was time. I dropped him off in the morning not paying too much attention to the people there. Came back to pick him up and since I did not see the usual lady behind the counter I asked how many groomers they have now. The guy answered, just me and Julie. I looked at Julie and did not recognize her. Could not remember the name of the usual lady so I tried to investigate with him to see who she was. I thought she was a groomer, but apparently not. I'm really bad at remembering people names. But I thought she was the one getting Auggie's first haircut and last few haircuts for Monty. She always used to ask a lot of questions about what I wanted. This guy just asked "the usual?" when I dropped of Monty and I said yes (and don't shave the bridge of his nose).

Anyways, so I pick Monty up and the same guy said Monty turned out nicely. So I paid, thanked him and home we went. I don't know about you, but when I pick up my dogs from the groomer, I really don't have a chance to look closely. Monty was jumping around just being happy to see me. He was cut short, but that's what they always do.

It wasn't until we got home I had a chance to take a closer look at his head. Man, they cut off the hair on top of his head; it was the same length as his body hair. And yet, they left this really long hair on the sides. And it's not even. It looks like his head slopes to the left.

I'm trying really hard not to over-react. We have a Christmas photoshoot in 3 weeks and I know the hair will grow by then. I'm also telling myself that I can just take my scissors and try to even out the sides of his head. But the more I look at poor Monty, the more irritated I get. Originally, I was going to tell the "groomer" in three weeks when I take the boys for the bath, but now I'm thinking I'm going to call tomorrow and take Monty back.

It's really hard for me to confront people. Especially if we all know how good groomers are important. And what they already think about doodle owners (the ones that tell them not to make their doodle look like a poodle). I guess I just want to know who cut Monty's hair this time so that I know to ask for another groomer. And I want to know who used to cut his hair in the recent past. Or should I just take my scissors and try to fix it on my own and just tell the groomer in three weeks that I did not like the way they cut his head?

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just got really upset since I'm not used to worry about the outcome after I take my dogs to a groomer.

On a good note, I think I can see Monty's waist finally. He's been little chubby the last few months and it seems that the green bean diet worked.

See what I'm talking about? WTD?!?!

Hello Mr. Waist, nice to see you again!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Okay folks, I called the groomer in the morning and she apologized saying they had a really crazy day yesterday. Told me to stop by anytime. So we did and she took him immediately and evened out his head and cut the base of his tail shorter as well. Apparently both of these groomers (a man and a woman) that are left at this place groomed Monty before. I just never saw them since they had a whole bunch of "helpers" running around. The owner of the shop (husband of the diseased groomer) got rid of all the helpers and now the two groomers do everything, but she assured me that it's much better without the helpers.

So Monty's head is semi-even now and the hair will grow by the time we take our Christmas pictures.

As for the nicks, there were none. He just has a really strange coloring on his elbows, and especially by his butt. There are like two dots on each side of his tail, and I have no idea why.

Thank you all for your support. I guess we've all been there with the haircuts.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad to hear all this.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm so glad you got that figured out! Whew! I hope Monty and Auggie are well groomed for their Christmas photos.

By the way, when did Monty develop the dark coloring on his elbows and butt? Owen is 3 and has just developed the same thing. When we moved Owen got "hot spots" on his front elbows and now has dark hair there, but the two butt spots just started to show up this month. ???

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

He's got those spots ever since I can remember. They always show more after a haircut. He has not had hot spots so I'm not sure what is causing the discoloration. I even tried to smell the spots on his butt in the past, but can't smell anything.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I'll take a better picture of the spots for you when I get home.

[Bonnie and Kona]

It's just interesting that the spots are in the same place on both our dogs. Just curious.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yes, I would like to know what's causing the spots. Here are some closeup pictures. The spots on his elbows are barely visible, it's just these two on his butt. I don't think the skin is any different there either. Once the hair is longer, the spots are not that visible anymore. I would really like to know why, just like you.

[Gail and Bailey]

I looks just like the reddish color from licking paws or their "private" areas.  Maybe Monty tries to lick his bottom and can only reach that far either way he turns??

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Nope, that's the thing. He is not licking his butt at all. Some of the fur between his toes does have the same reddish color and I though it had something to do with moisture, but it does not explain these two spots if he is okay back there.

[Gail and Bailey]

Very mysterious.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Same here. I have never seen Owen lick his elbows or his honey.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes, this is what we have going on Owen, too. Only Owen's elbows are worse than his butt. He just got the butt spots a week or so ago and the elbow when we moved to Hawaii in July. sigh.