Mr. Funny Face

[Camilla and Darwin]

I previously blogged about the Halloween party we took Darwin to. Well, while we were there we won a free grooming, full service. Of course, this doesn't mean hand scissoring, just a shave.This is pretty awesome, considering that most groomers charge 65 plus dollars for a dog of Darwin's size! I always groom him myself, because I want to save money, I have been quoted over 40 dollars for a simple bath and brush! Anyways, I also hear a lot of sad stories about doodles coming back looking like bobble heads. Seemed safer to do it myself. (not that doing it myself works out all of the time... LOL)

Despite not wanting him to look bad, I decided to use the free grooming. It is definitely time for a shave down anyways, as it was taking me up to an hour to brush Darwin every night. He wasn't matted due to a rigorous brushing schedule, thank goodness, but once snow comes it's even harder to stay on top of it.

I knew he would probably coming back look silly and he did. I wanted them to cut him down to at least 1" so I could put off grooming him myself again for as long as possible. But I specifically told them to not to shave the bridge of his nose or "scoop out" the eyes like they tend to do. I just wanted them to do a 1" cut all over his whole body. they ended up shaving both his nose and eyes anyways... oh well. So he looks pretty silly but surprisinngly I really don't care. He's soft and seems comfortable and it will grow out in no time. Plus, I think he looks kind of cute... in a goofball way. :-)

Before the Grooming:

I present to you, Mr. Funny Face

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

That is no "funny face"...that is a sweet adorable face that is just looking to be kissed and hugged! The face grows back so fast and the shagginess will be back in no time. I always take Gracie really short and she looks so even but in a few weeks she is back looking like a rag a muffin. I don't shave the bridge of the nose though. The groomer did that once and boy, I made sure they NEVER did that again. Now I do my own grooming. I think Darwin looks like a big cuddle bug!

[Kathy Spyker]

Awww, I think he looks very handsome..soft and fluffly;-)

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nope - Darwin is just as cute as always, I think he looks very comfy. Since Rooney is too small right now for grooming I'm just trying to learn from you all. The breeder told me to tell the groomer to treat Rooney like a sheep dog - not a poodle. I guess that is all the instructions I'll know to give. LOL Hair always grows back.

[Leslie and Halas]

I think he looks really great!

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

I think he looks cute. I get a hair cut similar to that on my two doodles. I have had several bad hair cuts where they were shaved down to the skin. Darwin still looks soft and shaggy. I love the look.

[Phoebe's Mom]

I don't think he is a Mr. Funny Face at all. I think he looks beautiful. Don't you love how fluffy our doodles are after grooming? I usually cannot keep my hands off Phoebe on a good day but after grooming, I cannot stop myself from cuddling her. You really did win a prize!

[Deborah & Emmett Vaughan]

Darwin: That's what we in the South call our "summer cut" it feels great. You'll get used to it. Sometimes my mom lets my body get just a tad bit longer. I think you look great - in a guy kinda way. Emmett in Atlanta

[Bonnie and Kona]

He is so handsome! That groomer did a wonderful job.

[Rose]

He looks adorable!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Sasha, you always make me blush.... - Darwin