She did what????? Yet another (long..sorry) groomer story...

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Yes, I know, I have the worst groomer luck in the world.  Luckily this time it is not about the haircut itself...So after Murphy's dreaded Schnauzer/flying monkey cut last June I finally found a groomer I like. I started using her last August when Wilson came home.  We have had great results with the exception of the shock of Wilson's first shave down last month and even his Steven Tyler haircut just seemed to fit his personality and I ended up loving it.

The groomer is a mobile groomer and she comes once a month...been coming for 11 months now.  I am never home when she arrives, I just leave her the key to my house, a blank check and a note about what the boys need.

The boys had an appointment this afternoon and Wilson was going to get a feather put in his hair just to perfect his Steven Tyler impersonation.  I always tell the groomer to call my office if she has any questions as I have a dumb phone with no cell reception in my office.  Appointment was at 2:00..no calls.  Perfect.  For some reason I decided to leave early today and when I was walking to my car a text came through.....sorry can't do Wilson's feather, I can't find the tool.  I reply darn it, and ask if she can come by and do it when she finds her tool.   She replys no problem, she will buy new tool.  It does cross my mind for a split second that it is weird she is having this text exchange with me while she is grooming my dog but hey maybe she has a smart phone and isn't punching keys like I am.

Soooo....I get home and notice she has a new grooming mobile.  Good for her, business is growing.  So I send her another text just to let her know that I just pulled in to the garage because I didn't want to startle her.

Her reply is "Actually I am not there, my other groomer is there."

WHAT???????  Maybe I am over-reacting but here are my issues at this point:

She has never had another groomer....no other groomer on her website......never told me about another groomer...has been texting me today while other groomer was at my house  and never mentioned the other groomer...as I am usually not home am pretty sure she was never going to mention the other groomer...So...I left a key under my doormat, a blank check on my dresser, and the care of my doodles in the hands of someone I have trusted for 11 months and it never occurs to her that I may have a problem with some stranger being in my house?????  WTF????

Then...strange groomer comes in with Murphy, I scared her to death as she didn't see me come in.  She thinks she has just groomed Wilson but it was Murph....you know, the little one with the nametag that spells Murphy.  And then I notice the blood all over my wood floors.  Murphy's foot is pouring blood....cut the quick of his toenail.  Got that cleared up, he was fine.  But what if I had come home to blood allover my floor?  I would have had a heart attack.

I haven't yet made the phone call to my Groomer.  Waiting until I become rational. 

The only good thing is Wilson looks beautiful and Murphy's cut doesn't suck.

Am I over reacting?

 

[Heather & Brinkley]

I know!! I don't want to know what would have happened if my parents walked in while the person was still in the house!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

No kidding! Horrible!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

They look fantastic, both of them.  Love Wilson's Steven Tyler hair do.  Murph is precious.  There is no way I could do this good a job on doodles that aren't curly!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would stop payment on the check..  You NEED to get another groomer and you need to take your dogs to them or be home to let them in,  and you need to change your locks pronto.  How many people may have made copies of that key so that they can come back and rob you or steal your dogs?  Perhaps where you live it is not dangerous to leave keys for strangers, but out here in California, it really is.

[GBK]

I totally agree with Nancy!  Better  safe than sorry....  This really is wrong, I would be looking for someone new.

 

[shelly]

NO! NO! NO!  Wow!  You are an extremely PATIENT TRUSTWORTHY person!  I know first hand how it is difficult to find a groomer who does what you ask.  But...you found another groomer you liked and you can do it again.  I think that was very big of you to not call her until "you were more rational"... you have great strength!  Now that I have said my piece. I am going to read thru' the rest of the posts.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

OMD - this is just WRONG on so many levels.  I would be beyond livid!  I'd be getting this taken care of ASAP!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am very disappointed that she didn't immediately apologize for the deception.  Does she think that if she just told you a stranger had a key to your house and was letting herself in, that it would have been OK with you?  Sight unseen?  Really!!  Weak excuses in my book.  What are you going to do now?

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

I am mostly a lurker but I feel that I must comment here. Two things. One, I have a friend who runs a premium dog food store and they have been looking to hire a groomer. They have, so far, been unable to find one that is not a drug addict or an alcoholic. This has been shocking to them . Also, I was watching a cable show one night about rehabilitating convicts to get back into the community and one of the skills being taught was dog grooming! Now I am not saying this is bad as many people can and are rehabilitated but to let someone use your key and come into your home is just so wrong as everyone has mentioned. I do not believe back ground checks are usually done when hiring dog groomers as they are in my profession (nursing).

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sally, everything you said is true.  Many convicts rehab to dog grooming where I live. Of course, not all, but it is a profession where you do not need a background check. 

Many felons find it hard to find a job because of their record. Sad, but true. So they come out of incarceration with no chance of being hired.  Dog Grooming is a great skill for them to make them productive in society. And many do find a good, crime-free profession and are great.  But.... she is allowing strangers in her home.

P.S. No offense to our Many Many reputable groomers here on DK

Agree agree agree with Nancy, Change your locks.

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

I agree, as that I think it is a good way to help people to rehabilitate and be able to learn a great profession. Rehabilitated people need a good and honest way to make a long lasting living. But what would scare the carp out of me would be someone allowing someone in my home, with access to my bank account number (which I would probably change too) and not inform me and that I wouldn't know if they had had a background check or not! I would change my locks and have a serious talk with my groomer or even find another one!!! It is very sad for so many ex cons to have a hard time finding a way to make a good living and get back into society. Dog grooming is a great way to make a living but as the dog owner I would want to make sure who ever was taking care of my dog was an honest person who had earned the right to be in my home unsupervised and making sure that my dog was being treated properly. If I was the OP I would be very upset!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree with you, I used to work in a grooming shop, and interviewed at multiple locations. All I can say is my experience, but I didn't meet one who was not.... "iffy" in some way. I mean had some kind of honesty problem (paying under the table, lawsuits, investigations, etc.) or was majorly socially off. 

I know there are kind amazing groomers out there who are dedicated professionals. I'd really like to find one. :-)