Goodbye 2025

Hello 2026!

Just over a year ago, I made the difficult decision to stop working in the commercial salon I was at. I loved the stylists that I worked with, and I had learned so much from them. We were a brilliant unit that ultimately had each other's backs and supported each other. We had heard stories of other salons in the company not getting along, and we didn't understand it. It wasn't the salon or the store that inspired the decision to leave. There were things I wanted to prioritise for the dogs in my care that the company was making difficult.

I saw rescue dogs, nervous dogs, anxious dogs and older dogs come into the salon with such trepidation. We were always warm and welcoming, but the environment was too loud and too busy for them. They were never going to feel safe enough, and that broke my heart. I have a Romanian Rescue at home, and you can usually spot them. It is in the eyes and the tail. I would often chat to the owners about their experiences, and often these dogs started life off in a bad way or feral, like our Sookie. They needed a quieter, slower approach than we were able to offer.

I saw older dogs that had been recommended by the vets to be groomed to help care for their skin or feet. But these dogs were 11 years young and the whole process was really quite scary and overwhelming for them. I had a golden retriever that I had to send home soaking wet; he just freaked out on the table because he had forgotten where he was. My manager and I tried to calm and reassure him, but the dryers going on elsewhere were just too overstimulating for him. His owner was lovely and had been a loyal customer for a few years, but she understood that it was probably the last time we could groom him at that salon.

And then there were the dogs that were straight up overstimulated! Their only way to try to process and understand the situation was to lash out. They needed a slower, quieter, more predictable experience that was uninterrupted. But the nature of the salon's location and the company's ethos meant that this wasn't always possible. We worked together to try to make sure these dogs were looked after and their needs met, but we weren't always able to do that. The store management was supportive of what we all wanted to provide, but all of our hands were tied by those higher up making the logistical decisions.

So I decided that I wanted to try to provide that myself. There have been some very honest conversations with owners about behaviour, what the finished groom will look like and if I am even the right fit for their dog's needs. But this has been met with such thanks, honest gratitude and loyalty. It has meant that I can focus purely on your dog's experience in my care and help them to understand that the process doesn't need to be filled with fear or anxiety. Just today, I saw possibly my 'spiciest' dog to date on the street in the Boxing Day sales, and was greeted with a grin, tail wag and cuddles. This was because his owner and I talked about what was best for him and for them. He started coming to me very regularly to stop the overstimulation, and we reduced this once I could predict and manage his behaviour, and he felt more comfortable in predicting my behaviour. He doesn't love the process, but he quite likes me!

I will continue to work with dogs like Mr Anxious in 2026, as well as dogs that just want a quieter, local, independent dog groomer.

I have groomed all sorts this year; Cockapoo, Cavapoo, Shishon, Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Golden Retriever, Doberman, Miniature Schnauzer, Terriers, Spaniels and all sorts of crosses. I have loved meeting each and every one of them and look forward to seeing them again in 2026.

Keep your ears pricked for a January Organisation Offer coming in the next few days.

Don't forget you can still Boop to Book for Full Grooms, Bath and Brushes and Introduction Sessions.