The Rebel Groomer

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I did it.

I gave Rooney a haircut.

What on earth has come over me? Add this to the list of things that will surely be brought up at my Intervention.  In 17 years of parenting I have never once entertained the idea of giving one of my children a haircut.  Even when my daughter wasn't sporting more than 25 hairs on her head, I still took her to a professional. And, you may not have heard, but there are professionals available and willing to give your dog a haircut.  Really, there are!  And yet, here I am... The Crazy Puppy Lady...now wielding scissors. Heaven help us all.

It began with brushing and a bath.

I'm pretty sure Rooney knew something was up.

Once he was dry, it was time to make my game plan.  How much to cut? How to keep him still? Whether or not to throw in some color or highlights? (I'm kidding... we will save that for his prom...)

He didn't need much.  Just a little off the top, so to speak.

You can see that the fur had grown long enough that it was parting on the top.  I wanted to trim him back up to his more general, fluffy puppy look.  My goal was to trim about an inch off of his whole body.

That was the plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans, right?

Well, as the evening progressed, following the brushing and the bathing, the wheels started coming off the bus.  There was a science project that needed to be finished involving a three dimensional Gila Monster and a shoe box. There was a list of spelling words that needed to be practiced.  There was the discovery that tomorrow is chapel day at school which requires clean khaki pants and a collared shirt (which were currently in a heap at the bottom of a very smelly hamper).  And, get this... apparently the consensus in my household is that everyone would like to eat dinner...every single night.

Harrumph.  Rooney's trim would have to wait...and wait...and wait...

Fast forward to three days later...

It was late in the evening.  Everyone was settled doing their own thing.  Rooney was comfortably sacked out on the kitchen floor. It occurred to me that this was my moment.  Scissors in hand, I went for it and probably broke every rule of grooming in the process.  Call me the Rebel Groomer.

Rooney was not freshly bathed (but he had been brushed).

I did not proceed with the cut in a careful, thoughtful progression.  Once I had trimmed down the top of his back, I pretty much went willy nilly from there.

I did not make Rooney stand for most any of the cut.  In fact, he was dozing most of the time and I just rolled him over when I needed to get to the other side.

Pretty much, I just started cutting and tried to be fairly conservative figuring I could always pull out the scissors again later.

And, all in all, I think it turned out pretty well!  I will have to tackle his legs a bit more at some point and I'm sure I will break more rules in the process. But I accomplished my initial goal of getting his body trimmed up and gaining back his fluffy, puppy coat.  My husband didn't even notice which I took as a good sign.  Of course he also doesn't notice dishes in the sink and crumbs on the counter, so maybe he isn't my best judge...

During the trim, Rooney didn't seem any worse for wear.  But I have noticed that he now gets a wary look on his face when I start to reach for the scissors.  

Seriously, Lady.  You had your fun.  Just put down the scissors and walk away slowly.  Go vacuum something. You seem to enjoy that.  Maybe a little television? You deserve a break.  You keep saying you need to get on the treadmill, so how about a little less talk and a lot more action.  Just step away from the scissors...

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Great job! Rooney looks super cute.
I only dare trim Chewie's head and under his paws. The rest of him, I leave to the professionals.

[Sharon & Monty]

Lori, you are hilarious!  Color and highlights, OMD!  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Great job ... Next thing you know you will be the proud owner of a new pair of clippers and a grooming table!    He looks great!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Crazy Puppy Lady, aka Rebel Groomer, you are HILARIOUS! Sounds like you have one busy household! Bren there, done that, but not the grooming part! I'm impressed!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Nice blog, and a great job on Rooney!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lori, You did a great job. Let me know if you want to practice on Fudge and Vern!! I salute you, brave lady :)

[Karen and Bridget]

You did a great job!!  Rooney is absolutely adorable!!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Wow you did a great job! Rooney is such a cutie!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Awww - so cute and good job!  Me - cut Rooney's hair - never ever!  I'm pretty sure this would turn out about as well as if he tried to cut my hair.  NOT!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Good job "rebel" Bailey has way to much hair for me to even attempt it....