The Shave

[Sally M]

Penny went to the groomer, again, this morning. It's been extremely hot, humid and rainy here. She was getting too hot with her heavy coat of hair. Because of the dampness and mud, she had mats that needed to be addressed.

Penny's pretty good while at the groomer, however, they had to give her a time-out today. She was fussing when they were trying to dry and trim her face so they had to take her in the back to let her "de-stress". That's a first. She probably caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror somewhere!

I know Penny feels better and more free..free. of all that thick (and it IS thick) hair! But she's definitely got to be feeling a major breeze...all over her body. I guess air-flow in the butt area can feel refreshing.

I'm not adjusting to her haircut too well. Where's my curly girl? Who is this strange naked dog? She looks like one of those Chinese Crested dogs. And I was so proud of her gorgeous tail and now it looks like it belongs on a capybara. It'll take 6 months to grow back in.

I gasped when I saw her. The groomer tried to prepare me as to how short her cut would be but I just didn't imagine a giant drowned rat! My DH took several photos of all of Penny's hair on the floor! Over the phone, I pleaded with the groomer to put the hair back on. Yes, I seriously said that! And I meant it!

[Dawn and Molly]

The same thing happened to us this summer.  We took Molly to a new groomer and she had a couple of mats.  We brushed her everyday, but apparently not the right way.  I was upset and in shock when I first saw her too, but now I am o.k.  It is kind of grown on me.  She seems a lot cooler now.  I like what you said, live and learn :)  Penny is an adorable dog.

[Sally M]

Actually, Penny doesn't have any skin exposed. We like the groomer...the reason they shaved her tail was because it was one giant mat, apparently. I brushed her daily and felt her tail. What I thought was vertebrae (sp?) was actually matting. She had mats we didn't even know about. I won't let the mats get this bad again. Live and learn. Starting soon, we're going to use a comb and do her grooming in layers. I'm going to read all about it in the Grooming section of this website.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Aww - I saw her shave photo too and I think she looks good.  Her head is still doodley and they did not shave the ears.  I imagine her tail must have been matted, or they may not have shaved.  Our older doodle has a extremely sensitive tail so I brush his head and tail daily so he does not mat.  I think you will be surprised at how quickly your beautiful girl's hair returns. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I saw Penny's pic you posted. I think her face looks pretty good. They did trim her pretty short, perhaps not the best idea in the summertime. She could sunburn. Their coat does help protect them from the heat and sun. Also, why would they trim her tail. That's weird.
She still is a beautiful dog, but I don't think I'd use that groomer again.
The good news is, they grow out pretty fast :-)

[Barbie]

This part cracked me up: "I guess air-flow in the butt area can feel refreshing." LOL!

Poor you! I know what it's like to bring home a bald dog because Hercules' groomers kept cutting it all off after I asked them to just "even it out". One groomer weighed the cut hair - 7 lbs.!

Penny still looks pretty to me ... and a lot cooler. It'll grow back. The main thing is that you continue telling her how beautiful she is and give her even more hugs and belly rubs. I had to do that with Hercules because he missed his hair and felt unattractive.