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

[BG and Gavin]

I think that is an awesome cut. I would be very happy with that grooming job. Darwin looks fantastic!

[Anna and Achilles]

I think I just got the same hair cut. You always look cool Darwin!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

No worries! I actually did try to scissor cut him last time I groomed him and it was a disaster! Clearly I am not skilled enough for that yet, LOL.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sorry Camilla I misunderstood, I thought you were scissor cutting him! You are right in that it saves a lot of money. Last time I took L&S it cost me $150. Two trips to the groomers and my grooming table is paid for!

[Camilla and Darwin]

And again, now that I look at it and look at Darwin I realize maybe it's not shaved down to the skin by his eyes either. It looks very hollow and short there... but when I look at his "before" picture he had kind of the same thing going on. Now I feel kind of embarrassed, am I turning into one of those crazy dog parents who overreacts about everything? Oh dear.

[Camilla and Darwin]

thanks so much everyone for the positive comments on Darwin's haircut. It's a pretty big change so it's kind of shocking, but as I said, it will grow back and I think he looks pretty cute.

Lucy and Sophie's mom, I don't know if you saw the beginning of my post or not, but I actually do groom Darwin myself, with clippers I bought when we first got him. I don't do a great job, but I have done it 4 or 5 times now and it's pretty simple, it's definitely saved me a lot of money. I onlyt took him to the groomers this time because I had a free grooming certificate. It was awesome because the whole thing only cost me what I paid her in a tip. Now that I am inspecting Darwin's face closer, you may be right that she didn't shave his nose. It is very close, like 1/4" or less, but perhaps that is just the way the clippers cut. Then the area by his eyes and muzzle is down to the skin, which is wonky but it's nice to see his eyes.

And yes, he is super soft and I can't stop petting him!

[Linda and Murphy]

Darwin, you are looking good, Dood. (and a lot like me,,,WTD??)

[Susan and Sasha]

Hey Darwin...Sasha here...
I think you look Really nice...and like a Very Macho Dood...
They Really did a Great job...and...if you won that with your Halloween Costume...Great Job My Friend!!
I see that they got rid of the Blue hair...or...at least your Mom did...
I kind of liked it...but...just for a change...not...for Always!! (smile)
I don't know if you know this...but...I went through my coat change...and...my Mom was trying...and trying...and trying to save my Doodle Coat!!
Well...she did Everything that she could do...and...I did Everything that I could do to "Grin And Bear It"...cause I love my Momma so Very Much...kind of like you love yours!!

Well...my Mom finally decided that "Enough Is Enough"...and she has this Really Nice Lady...in a Mobile Grooming Van come to our house...and...Well...she...started to CLIP...and...CUT...and...CLIP...and...CUT..and...before you knew it Dar...I was this....VELVET DOODLE DIVA!! Hahahaha...(a little bit naked...shhhhhhhh...

Not really...I'm not a Diva...but...I am really looking Beautiful...and my Mom is asking herself...Why Oh Why Did I Wait So Long...because she thinks I look Really Beautiful!!

I'm feeling like a Velvet Dood...and there are No More Mats!!!! Hallalullah!!!! Lol...

Now my Mom is thinking that I am Oh So Beautiful!!
She is. going to wait to see how my Adult Coat Comes In...and then decide on how long to let my coat be...

You know...I really like to go in the water... Everyday...and have FUN... Everyday...and All of that Stuff...
And...if having a Long Coat...that kind of prevents me from that..
.My Mom thinks there is something "Very Wrong with This Picture"...
Do You Know What She Means??
Well Darwin...That's all I have to say for now...
Girls just have a "Way Of Having So Much To Say"...Just Ask Your Mom About That Too...
I'll talk to you soon...
Your Friend Sasha...

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It really doesn't look to me like they shaved his nose, just trimmed up the "V" as I always think of it which goes up towards his eyes. They left his face (beard) longer ..... all in all a great cut. However, if it isn't what you wanted, then it wasn't right for the groomer to do it. I would like to add though that if you would go buy yourself a pair of clippers and some guards right now, you would be absolutely amazed at how easy it would be to maintain him from this point out. Using clippers on them is so scary the first time you run them through the hair but then it is like "Oh, I see how this works". Then it is hard to stop. It really is so simple if you keep him brushed and matt free, the clipper cutting is so easy compared to scissor clipping! As always, he is adorable!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Darwin looks very soft and I bet he feels really good when snuggling.