Miss America

[F, Calla & Luca]

Maybe that should be Mess America. Today I took Calla for her first full scale grooming since I've had her over 3 years. I brushed her until I couldn't do any more last night and truly thought I got most of the mats. I am never silly enough to think there are none : ) The groomers were new to me but I called the shop where a nice older man had once groomed Rex, the standard poodle. He had retired but it was still a grooming spot. True Rex came out looking more like like poodle than I liked, even in a puppy cut, but then again he was one.

Calla is a lot for me to groom and my hands, and the rest of me, are sometimes not up to the job. And she needed a bath. And.....

Here is a before, which is the polar bear look:

The woman I spoke with on the phone sounded so nice. She told me it was like doggy day care in their place and that the dogs were not kept in crates. I took Luca with us for moral support as usual. Well, the owner said I should leave him since he would keep Calla company and he could play. So I did. Calla did attempt to leap the gate to leave with me but all was well as I left. It took all day, literally seven hours. But the dogs were not in crates. I spoke to the groomers once and they said the dogs were so calm : ) They also told me how beautiful they were. They thought after 7 hours that Luca was a girl, can we say not well endowed : )

Then I went to get them. Is it really Calla? Seems so in terms of being overjoyed to see me. No poodle feet or face. Her tail intact. But really short. Of course the owner said she was matted. I do think she scissor cut. She said she would and Calla looks almost as choppy in some areas as when I do the cutting : ) Calla does smell like a not so wonderful perfume. But she is clean and soft. Calla also had her nails dremeled. The owner apologized that it was $64 and I assured her that was not expensive. Egads, Rex cost more at least 5 years ago.  I once paid $70 for a mobile groomer who only managed to bathe Calla. The owner also said she owed us a toy!

Here she is Miss America:

She still has her gorgeous face albeit with less hair:

Shaggy Luca got a bandana too and he said he had fun.

I really do prefer a shaggy doodle look. But Calla will get there soon. While the doodles were gone I mowed the lawn. I wish there was a ride on grooming device : ) All in all though, Calla is done for a while, both the dogs had a daycare experience and life goes on if we are lucky.

[Camilla and Darwin]

She looks nice! To me a groomer who is so concerned with the dog's comfort and enjoyment is the most important thing, any choppy cuts will go away quickly. And what a good deal!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I absolutely agree.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

She looks great and ready for fun in the sun!  I love how you can see her beautiful eyes so well! It sounds like a great salon with the daycare attached and steak, and toys...good job with the selection!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

That sounds like a good grooming place!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

She looks fantastic.....they did a wonderful job!  It's pretty awesome that they invited Luca to come along.  Places that don't crate the dogs are hard to find....mine has a long waiting list.  Today was grooming day for my guys too....they're exhausted and they smell wonderful....can't beat that.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Jane.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

That looks like a really good job and the price wasn't mad which can't be a bad thing either.  Great that they didn't clip and used the scissors and lovely that the two of them were together, no crates and steak.  What more could you ask for?

[F, Calla & Luca]

It was a pleasant experience for them and me.

[Pat and Traveler]

I love Calla's face!  I think you got a great deal, and the choppy look will smooth out quickly.  So funny that they wanted Luca to stay!  And gave the dogs steak.  Luca said he had fun...well, Trav tells me things like that too.  They had a busy day--bet they sleep well tonight.  :)    Beautiful Calla is Miss America!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thank you.