Merry Christmas to both 2 legs and 4! I am so happy to be home for the holidays with my favourite fur-friend.

We woke up to the white stuff every where and I thought I best get this post up and published since its a simple winter snow hack for some dogs that love playing outdoors in the snow. However their furnishings are covered with snowballs in seconds after a good run in it.

If you have children in the house? You have plenty of socks on hand. If you  have an extra small dog, you might have to purchase new born socks.

The idea is to make leggings for your fur pal by cutting off the ends and slipping them over-top of each leg. Voila no more snowballs....

Free to run around, back and forth and the snow won't accumulate on their furnishings anymore. Way more fun snowball free-

Be sure to share this post everywhere, so anyone experiencing the winter wonderland can help their dog have more fun outdoors.

With that said-Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas once again.

I hope and pray you and yours are safe, warm and dry since this last storm ripped thru the island, lower mainland, & Fraser Valley bringing with it devastation that only few ever saw coming.

I could get into that-but what's the point? I am not an engineer at any level of government. It is not my area of expertise. I am only an observer.

My area of expertise is in the grooming room. There is so much going on in the industry with the latest set backs coming into focus the way I groom is going to change.

SO, if a dog isn't groomed regularly and comes in occasionally, we will say
seasonally. Its causing more wear and tear on this part alone, never mind the
blade. When I could send the blade out for sharpening it was $10.00 per blade. It was a manageable fee. Only blade sharpening has now jumped to $18.00 per blade effective immediately.

I groomed my last dog that was outside the recommended 4, 6, or 8 week rotation. This dog will remain anonymous. :) Grooms outside the recommended rotations again wear down equipment faster & this is now going to be passed along to the owner.

For example, I am only using this pup to support and show why these changes are coming into affect Jan 1, 2022. This dog only came in seasonally to begin with. Maintained grooms two blades are used. The cutting blade & finishing blade. Plus a #30 for paw pads and a 5n1 for sanitary.

This groom took 4 blades 2 cutting and 2 finishing, plus the #30 & 5n1 clipper. I used 2 clippers plus the 5n1. The coat was matted and in bad shape. Honestly, it needed to be shaved down. Only I understood the owners request and this pooch is super cute in the winter blade.

It took 2 hours and I had to use three clippers and 6 blades total. This groom
cost me $. It's the last time I do a groom this way.

Only dogs such as a Husky, Bermese Mtn. Dog or German Shepard etc. can come and go seasonally as they use different tools and equipment for deshedding that have zero to very little overhead.

We all have to make decisions. To accept the rate increases or not-I am still providing service, just on a smaller scale. While I focus on other parts of my business.

I begin dog hiking in January. I am switching grooming to weekday afternoons & offer 1 to 2 weekend spots for those still working Mon-Fri.

The bottom line, is if I have to pay for your groom, because the costs surpass the profit I will have to close my business. Unfortunately, this  means I have to keep passing the increases along to you, the consumer. Just as they are being passed along to me.

Only, I don't need a grooming room, shampoo's, blades, clippers, dryers, towels, brushes & combs. You do, so I can maintain your dogs coat. This is why its become supply chain woes, at the cost of doing business.

I hope you and yours stay on-since I am willing to remain grooming. However, I understand if you want to go elsewhere. Perhaps another shop hasn't faced the costs of inflation and calculated the expense of the bottom line.

Whatever happens going forward and into 2022-this is another new normal I could live without, while happily bathing the pooches that meet me in the grooming room for their next clip, dip and snip.

God bless you and yours coming and going each and every day. We need His blessing to keep moving thru this time of uncertainty. I thank Him for you & yours as well as, I am still operating during this time plus all  He has done for me during such a time as this.

Where did the month go? I blinked and realized I almost missed the party to get out this months post. It's such an important topic too. Pets and Halloween.

There's so many things going on this weekend. Since it falls on the weekend. Parties, gatherings, activities, fireworks even if down graded due to cv-19, can still cause anxiety in our pets.

Doorbells ringing. knocks on the door, shouting in the streets, kids running all over the neighbourhood. It will likely carry on for hours with the kids and as for the adults? It use to be both Friday & Saturday night parties.

Maybe with "CV-19" still on the loose things may not be as active. If this is the case, its good for our pets. Still with fireworks & fire crackers just make sure all your pets are indoors as much as possible this weekend.

Black cats are always at risk this time of year-so please keep them close to home until this weekend is over. Take precaution with the treat bowl. Chocolate is toxic to our dogs-it needs to be up high and out of reach. I know you all know this, but lots can be going on and it just takes a second.

Most of you may know Piper-I brought her home on Halloween 6 years ago this Sunday night. She was never really  affected by the noises; all the screechers that were set off, police road blocks, traffic and trick or treaters-then-but now?

Haha, she is the mighty protector. Barking at every little noise. Its a night where I will keep her as comfortable as possible knowing this too shall pass.
Whether its a big celebration or not in 2021.

A go to, to keep her occupied is a  raw bone. It keeps her busy and focused on that task. Another way to keep her busy is a Kong-same idea, but to make it last. Make it earlier in the day I would stuff it with her treats and freeze it. That way, it takes as long as a raw bone to chew.

I find hikes are great too-so a big hike before its gets dark. If you do go hiking know where you're going and the terrain as its changing with all this wet weather. This will help her settle into the evening, as well. A tired dog is a happy dog has always been my motto.

Before you know it Halloween will have come and gone we will be setting our clocks back 1 hour to regain that precious hour of sleep we lost to enjoy that extra hour of light in the spring. Its not a trick, its a treat!

All of that was to say I can hardly wait for next weekend, because daylight savings ends. With that said-if you are outside be sure to have light and reflective clothing. Flashlights help, too. Just leave Fido at home to sit this one out or stay home with your fur pal and find your fav show. Popcorn anyone?

Until next month-stay safe, be well.

Lori & Piper
Piper says woof!



 

*bringing awareness to all our inner dog circles

Just a heads up-it would seem inflation is coming at me in all directions now. As is, with most people, today. Therefore, I am providing as much notice as I can so everyone can plan for their pooches fees in advance.
I know I am on a budget. So being able to plan ahead whenever possible is the best strategy when it comes to setting aside a little something or a little something extra versus robbing Peter to pay Paul.

In light of the regular increases, I will offer a spa bath at the same rate to customers and their fur pals without a increase. The spa baths are the best value and most of the hounds who come in for a spa bath enjoy the extra pampering.

I just purchased new product for the spa bath and look forward to running a spa bath this weekend for a regular dog to see if her anxiety is eased. Most dogs are stressed and then relax when they are given a spa bath.

Please feel free to book a spa bath for your pooch now or upgrade at the time of your fur friends appt.
I will add some pics here to share what a spa bath looks like, once the pet owner consents and waives liability notice. Be back soon!

I offer solo hikes for hounds that require rehabilitation walks before they are introduced to a 4 pack. Plus, I am busy building 2 packs this month. Near months end I will be working on a 3 pack.

See this months two-pack

My second two-pack this month...please contact 604.720.2394 if you would like to see your dog enter a pack today. Otherwise, check back soon to see how the packs grow and change as I upload a frame of time in our hikes, as time permits.

This is my 3rd attempt to bring forward an entry, but am having technical difficulties beyond my skills to address why I can't seem to get an article published. Its been going on for months now. Unless I upgrade the support isn't there.
It should have been as simple as,  copy, paste & publish. AN hour-on my day off. However, its here and done now just before dinner. My update for August is as follows.

As things reopen, first, I want to say thank you to those of you who have been there for me in my grooming adventure. Plus, to those of you who have booked appts to board your fur love with me. Finally you get to take that vacation that was planned 18 months ago. Yet was put on Paws! :P  Due to the nightmare that is lingering, as I try to put its effects behind me.

So that, secondly, I am able to  get back to my original business model of walking, hiking, boarding & grooming. As much as, I appreciate the opportunity to groom dogs, it's not my only skill set. It was never intended to be what it became.

Covid turned it into only thing I do or offer. I want a well rounded and balanced life where I can walk/hike my 4-packs of dogs and provide grooming/boarding on the side for my clientele.

I am headed back into shady trails and hiking in the outback for safe places to run my packs of up to 4 hounds. Eventually working towards, Mon-Fri early morning hikes, grooming in the afternoon & getting back to taking weekends off. I am so much happier knowing my fur companions love hiking and run to me because its an adventure they want to go on. :)

I will still offer grooming plus a Saturday for grooming for those working Mon-Fri, but there are limited spaces. As well, if a booked appt & it becomes a no-show the cancellation list is the only way back into the grooming rotation. Please give me proper notice so I can try to fill the spot, when so many dogs are still being turned away.

Looking after a few 4-packs is the best way to see the hounds get the necessary exercise they need, as well as getting my own cardio routine back in place.

If there aren't enough dogs to fill the spaces. I will have to look for other work, as I have mentioned. The grooming room now has limited spaces available. As I move back into my main business of exploring the great outdoors with dirty dog adventures and little dog adventures.

It's time to get back to passion-not fear. Fear has taken so much from everyone all ready. We only have today and I am not going to locked down into a fearful state where nothing is accomplished and wind up bankrupt. Once shame on you, twice -see- it's not happening.
I will go down standing firm for what I believe in. Either stand for something or fall for anything.

On that note-see you back here next month, in the grooming room, or maybe I will be sending you a pic of muddy doggy day in the outback. :)

Cheers,
Lori & Piper

Hello, Lori here with a quick update that there is no rate increase until Jan '22.
Everyone will see a rate increase Jan 01, 2022. Until then, rates are frozen.

It's the least I can do to help give everyone some notice, versus like a trip down the grocery aisle and the $20.00 purchased 50% of what it did before. DO prices ever come down? Hmmmm.

I will do my best to keep everyone updated going into the fall grooms. Until then-stay cool and hydrated!!

A quick update to share I am now open for dog boarding. I have space for 2 dogs maximum per night.
If time permits, hiking will be added into the overnight stays, as well. In other words, please give me as much notice as possible, so I can offer this service. A tired dog is a happy dog-
Hiking is one of my fav ways to spend time with our fur pals. Sometimes, just walking out the back door will have to do if time is short. The following dates have been booked:

July 27-31 is booked
Tuesdays overnight are now booked until further notice
Aug 28th is booked
Sept 7-16th is booked
Nov 26- Dec 4th is booked

This months blog has to be postponed. There are a couple of different articles I am working on. However, I need an actual day off to complete them. I don't exactly seem to have any time to do anything personal due to an unplanned move.

Essentially-this is great news. It means I will be able to offer dog-boarding once again. Once I am moved and settled in over this next month.

I am very happy to be getting back on track-due to the last 18 months we have all been thru. Here's to putting the best paw first-I can't wait to start the next dog adventure.

Until next time-stay cool.