Clean Out and Groom Time
Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 4:36PM 
AdeleI didn't get any swimming in but its not that warm. It best get warm. I looked at the weather and got depressed.
My hands are toast so the pool would have been enjoyable. Hear rain and cool weather will motivate me to do that front room so the piano can go. Rain is coming this week. I already made a huge dent but I figure a couple of more days and I can call the piano movers. Nathan is afraid there are dents in the wood floor from the weight but I doubt it.
I am not putting much back on the wall including aged family photos. If they want to send me updated ones - great. If not, it remains in a closet as the frames are good. We shall see. The dog photos may go back up in the kitchen but I also have a ton of plaques - dog ones and they are going to the bin or if someone wants, let me know. Some have hooks etc
Dematting especially the same dog over and over is getting impossible. It does something to my exhaustion level and it downright hurts me emotionally and physically. I am not talking a few knots but dogs knotted next to the skin all over. Please use a comb on your dog. Your dog may not like combing. You may not have time but the end result is a happier dog. Bring them to me BEFORE they get that bad, please.
Dogs did have fun today. I took a break, ate and ran silly with the dogs at a slow pace. My energy level is low. Maybe Dennis will run tonight with them. Till then I have to check light placement in the back as Dennis is working on that and Nathan is loving up the dogs. Life is grand for the dogs - as it should be!
Hope your Sunday was relaxing one!
Reader Comments (21)
Ok I do not get it. If you wish to keep your dog in full coat
You must be responsible to do the combing and brushing
If you don’t ‘have time’ or desire to do the work, get a cute short clip
so your dog does not need painful grooming and take a toll on the groomer!
It seems that after two demattings you should consider a shave down and then maintain your pup with a much shorter cut. Your Havanese is adorable and
and happy in a hair length that works for your lifestyle. Be realistic!
These dogs are now in a 1.5 inch cut. I hope the owners will be happier but they have been shaved down before.
Oh my. I feel so badly for this dog's fami!y. An honest and ' private' consultation may be appropriate, but not a public shaming! Lets not do that or join in it.
Debi: I had many private consultations over the years and every single time they are in this state and I mean EVERY TIME. I did not name them. This is not a shaming. This is an education. Bring your dogs before they get felted.
Oh yes I do understand extenuating circumstances.
My comment is simple: comb your dog daily, long or short coat. It doesn't take long, seriously. No excuses in my opinion, I'm sorry but that is how I feel. It only takes about 10 minutes a day to do so. Please, do it!
Darlah, I really hope you charge the dematting appropriately for all the time you have spent and all pain you have endured. I totally understand why you keep helping this family out. You feel so bad for the dog which you regard as your extended family. I just wish that the humans can find a way to make time to comb the dog regularly. I used to find it difficult too because the pup is not used to comb/brush and I didn’t have the skills to do so. But as I do it more often and I always give treats after the combing and brushing, I actually find it relaxing to do it now and Tenshi will also plop herself right on the cushion for me to brush her. She doesn’t fuss anymore except maybe the front paws where the dewclaws are.
I just did a search here on the blog, dematting, and came across Paula's post. Very informative, a neccessary read I believe for everyone.
Hi Darlah
I would love the photo you have of Katie and her brother Odin nursing at Proxies milk bar. If that is one of the pictures you no longer have room for.
Ruth Shinder
Ruth:
I will try to find it when I have litters and print it out for you. The one I have printed I want to save. Right now I am working on a timeline before litters. The plaques I was talking about are with sayings on them. I also have jackets and sweaters - 2 bag full that are going. It is today's job to remove the few I want and the rest goes unless anyone wants them. I need the storage. My motto is if you aren't using it, it goes. Already I had the son screaming about the skewers I threw out as he now wanted to use them now that they are gone.
I will take photos after grooming today and post in case anyone is interested.
I too feel for the groomer and the dog. Dogs are in pain when they are badly matted as is the groomer who spends hours dematting them. Here is the article Dorothy refers to written by Paula. Please read it. https://funkypuppy.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/what-do-you-mean-hes-matted/
I think I would be inclined to shave the dog down after the 2nd dematting. It is much easier for you but also for the poor dog. Think how painful it must be for it ! Because in Rebekka's past life she was never groomed and always matted, her skin has actually developed a sensitivity and even now, which is years later, she isn't comfortable when her skin is touched. The vet feels the nerve endings were damaged by all the matting.
Oh Angela, just looked at the website, it’s come away like a sheep fleece when it’s being sheared.
Darlah, I hope you are feeling better today.
Why not just shave the matted dogs? It would be easier on your hands and the dogs. All the groomers I know would just shave without even telling you till you pick the dog up.
Take care of yourself. You are special and needed by us all.
Su: That's exactly what it's like. Think of the poor dog carrying that around. Each movement would hurt.......😢
I actually put dematting lotion all over. I pull it through. Quite expensive to do it this way. I take scissors and cut through from skin to end of a mat. You then pull apart after I clamp near skin with locking hemostats so to reduce pulling and I literally pull the mat apart and use a brush and comb section by section. This takes days to do but doesn't hurt the dog and most dogs kiss me up as they are thankful the pulling from the mats are gone. Most do not do it this way as they have a window so they shave. But if the mats are too close to the skin, you wont have anything but peach fuzz or you knick the dog if you don't go very slow. Then the customer blames the groomer when their dog is bald. I have been known to saturate the hair and take a high velocity dryer section by section to push the mat up the shaft. Even that is tedious. No matter which way you do it, it is time consuming and hard on your hands. My goal is not to hurt the dog.
Darlah, you are so very special for those dogs, all dogs. I applaud your patience and kindness and hope that matted dogs become a thing of the past for you and the little ones. They must love you dearly for easing their pain.
The matted, felted dogs are so fortunate that you have gently helped them. I wonder if the owners really understand the pain that mats cause for their dog.
OMG, Darlah, that's an incredible amount of work to gets those mats out without hurting the dogs. I try similar ways to not pull the skin.
I have taken 3 different times throughout today to fully comb out Leo. And I did bath him just Sat with a full combout. He really has so thick hair that knots and mats so easily in spots, but I know it must be done for his benefit. He still loves me anyway, I care for him so much.🥰
Wow, Darlah, I never thought that grooming dogs was an *easy* process, but to read your process and see all that you go through is really eye-opening.
I don't have my Havanese yet (likely will be one of the October babies), but I will never ever let my little one get matted and felted. I've read a lot and watched videos on YouTube about how to make it a fun, comfortable process for the dog.
It really means a lot that you are always here for support to answer any questions about grooming and brushing the dogs.
There's a groomer literally across the street from me, but if you are ever available I would be happy to take my little guy or gal to you so they can visit you again too. I promise they will be brushed and groomed regularly at home, I'm just nervous about doing the actual cutting of the hair!
This is only an issue if the dogs are allowed to become felted.