Blog Post Archive

Well… today was a first for Kent’s Kanines. When I made the appointment this Sunday to groom Cecil I had no idea that it was the AFC Championship between the Steelers and the Jets. It turns out Cecil’s owners are total and complete devoted, dedicated fans of the Steelers and I was given instructions that I had to have Cecil completely groomed by 3PM before kick off – no exceptions. I grew up going to Jet games every Sunday at Shea Stadium with my parents so I totally understood the insanity. This was THE game to determine if the Steelers were going to the Superbowl so the energy  and stakes werehigh in Cecil’s house. We talked football while I groomed Cecil and learned all about my client’s family’s passion and love for the team. My clients both wore Steelers jerseys and had The Terrible Towel all ready for a twirl!!!!!!! And of course, when Cecil was finished he had his own jersey ……… see below.

ps. You can also see Cecil in www.kentskanines.com, click portfolio and then Gallery 10

Well, yesterday was quite a day. I was invited by Joy Randel who owns www.dazzledogdelight.com, a great online dog store to be a guest on her Dazzle Dog Delight Blog Talk Radio Show. She asked me some great questions regarding Home Dog Grooming and it was great to share with her listeners and of course, the internet as a whole, the many facets of dog grooming and specifically Home Dog Grooming. I was a bit nervous but I am hopeful that the info will be helpful and informative. After the show was over, I thought of so many other things I wanted to share; there are really so many benefits and interesting components to Home Dog Grooming. She has invited to come back in the future so I will keep you posted. If after listening to this radio link you have any questions please call me @ 415-821-2620 or email me at marvelous@kentskanines.com

Click here to listen to the radio show

Is he not the most handsome boy? Tucker is a 2 year old Scottish Terrier that I have been Hand Stripping since he was a little puppy. He has grown into a magnificent dog with a truly coal black (thanks to hand stripping) and very hard/coarse coat. I hand strip him every three weeks including a bath, blow dry and final thinning shear perfections. When I first started grooming him he was quite the puppy and wanted to play but now …. he is the mature, stable and relaxed adult dog that enjoys the process of Hand Stripping. The rhythm of my hand movements, training with my voice and consistency of the appointments gives Tucker security and confidence to surrender to the process. I am so proud of him. I have included a little video for your enjoyment…

What a great way to start the year. I went up to Sonoma to groom one of my clients. Normally, I do not travel so far north but, one of my clients had a hip replacement and wanted to recuperate in their house up there. Since I worked like a dog before Christmas and groomed, groomed, groomed, I’m little slower this time of year so, I decided to travel up on Saturday and go that extra mile (literally and figuratively) for a wonderful client. One of the great benefits of home grooming is when the household is handling an unusual circumstance, like a surgery, it gives my client the peace of mind that I can come and take care of their dog while their focus is helping their loved one recover and heal. After my grooming, I decided to travel to Sonoma Plaza just a few blocks away. Below is a little video of my travels, I hope you enjoy!

I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday season and a fun New Year’s celebration!!

Can you believe it’s 2011? Twice this month the digit one has been the only number in the date, 1/1/11 and 1/11/11. Amazing. I thought I would let a little time pass after New Years to start my first blog post for 2011. Everybody is regrouping and getting back on track and settling in to a new beginning. I truly enjoy this time of year and anticipating new challenges and goals.

I spent the New Year in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl Parade and it was so fantastic. Quite spectacular and thrilling. I loved it. After the parade, you can visit the floats up close and see the incredible, fantastic, mind blowing details of all the plants that are used. The hours of designing and building them is so inspiring.

I didn’t groom at all during my 5 days visiting Southern California but, there were dogs in the parade. I guess the best was the Natural Balance float that featured dogs swimming in a little pool and dogs sliding down a real slide with water. The crowds loved it.

Well, I look forward to another exciting and hopefully successful year for Kent’s Kanines. Please keep enjoying the “tails” of Diary of a Dog Groomer.

I love Norwich Fun Day!! It is always a good time. This years event was held in Elmira, CA October 3RD near Vacaville hosted by Robin and Curt. Estelle and Ron Crawford of Bunratty’s Kennel were there with the best lure constructed and operated by Ron. It is a remote control course with a piece of fabric and faux fur tail. The Norwichs love it!! Please see the videos below. Curt also has on his property underground tunnels for Earth Dogs Trials with real Rats. Not to worry, the rat was in a cage. The dogs go wild! There were little Norwich puppies beyond adorable and a Norfolk here and there. We had a silent auction as well as a raffle with lots of fun and amusing and delicious goodies. All proceeds were donated for the next Norwich Fun Day. All in all, everybody was smiling and totally enjoying themselves!!!! Can’t wait for the next one.

Saturday October 2, 2010 was a fun day!! Bloomingdales at the Westfield Shopping Center in San Francisco hosted their 2nd annual Pets Unlimited Fund Raiser

to benefit The Critical Needs Shelter and Adoption Center. I was invited again to do “Pawdicures” and many eager pups walked up to my grooming table for the service. Please enjoy all the photos from the event.

People always tell me I should write a book. Tell all the “marvelous”, curious and humorous tales of home dog grooming. I have a great job, not only because I love dogs, but because home dog grooming allows me to sculpt all day, be my own boss and most importantly, it gives me the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with so many interesting, fascinating, diverse and great people.

Well, I really don’t see me writing a book but, maybe a blog.  Maybe something like …   Diary of a Dog Groomer. That’s it. A diary documenting what’s it’s like to groom dogs-puppies, small dogs, large dogs, old dogs, aggressive dogs all the while doing it inside people’s homes sharing the experience with the “parents.”

I don’t have a traditional grooming shop but drive all over San Francisco, California in my Volvo 240 GL with 270,000 miles (see Welcome Video), up and down those hills, as well traveling to the North Bay, South Bay and East Bay too, privately pampering pooches.

So after a long day of driving and grooming, as often as I can, I will sit at my desk and share with you my amusing, entertaining, exciting, challenging but always rewarding experiences of being a home dog groomer.