whistle while you work

I don't normally complain about my job, I love grooming and working with the dogs. I also love working at my new location at the pet store in town. I can't wait for renovations to start in the spring and by next fall I should have a newly renovated grooming area at the store.

Today I had the pleasure of grooming a flea invested cocker spaniel. The poor dog must have had fleas since the fall poor dog, I sent it home flea-less and with a 3 month treatment plan to hopefully rid the dog of the fleas. Just one of the perks of my jobs treating dogs with fleas and notifying owners of any other possible parasites or infections the dog(s) may have.

Last week an owner dropped off a poodle and told me there is no possible way to brush a "dog like that". I thought she was joking at first, but nope dead serious, so then after a 20 min lesson on how to properly brush a poodle. I groomed the dog, when owner picked up the dog she was over the moon happy that I didn't shave him short...yet that's exactly what I did. I used a 7 blade with isn't the shortest blade but blades shorter than that pets can get sunburnt or windburnt or get too cold, in short its not in the best interest of the pet to get anything shorter done, unless its severly matter -which is another matter unto itself.

On a happy grooming note: Today I groomed a "problem dog" she's a biter, a I'm going to eat your face if you touch my legs/feet dog. Today we made huge progress! I was able to use the clippers to shave her legs usually I have to scissor them and they look all choppy. And when I did her nails she didn't do the pull and tug with her leg, snip snip snip snip and nails were done. I did have her muzzled for the leg and feet work but her behavior had greatly improved since I started grooming her a couple years ago.

Last night I groomed my neighboors lab. Since starting grooming at the pet store I've only kept a a small, tiny number of dogs that I'll still groom at home. One is my neighboors dog, to me it makes no sense for them to drive all the way to town when I live next door, not to mention they have a lab, a good bath, nail trim, ear cleaning and a brush and done. Plus I get to spend some time with an incredibly handsome chocolate lab who may have just won the lab gene pool.

HUDSON

Deciding the importance of things....

What makes something more important than something else?

In the grand scheme of things the new job is going well, Im certainly happier grooming full time than driving taxi.

Im still finding myself strugling to figure out what else is important to me and what else I need to do to become “happier“.

One thought thats been rolling around in my head is the idea of adoption or fostering kids, well youth...i don‘t think I want any kids under 6, 9 or 10 would be even better.

I‘m completely disapointed with my love life and social life, not entirely sure how to remedy that except perhaps finding somewhere to volunteer and what better way to get involved in things again than by giving a child a stable home? Its certainly something im contemplating.

I may start a little simpler this weekend by volunteering to help out my church make pies for their sale this weekend. I enjoyed peeling bussels of apples as a teenager, plus I dont think Im working friday volunteering for a few hours cant hurt. And even though i dont attend church on various reasons and personal struggles, I do enjoy the fellowship of the other members.

Ch..ch..change for the better

I took the job. Starting October 1 I will be the groomer at the Cochrane Pet Services store. Their current groomer is retiring from grooming after being in the business for 30 yrs and she appproached me to fill her position. Its an incredible opportunity for me, and I‘m grateful she thought of me to replace her. I am very excited to be the “top“ groomer in town and only after being in the business for 6 years.

And after speaking with my new boss im excited about all the plans he has for a new grooming studio/shop. Over the next couple of years he plans on building a state of the art grooming shop complete with a self serve area for those wanting to tackle their own pets. I‘m also excited to be working regular hours, no more 60+ hr work weeks, no more 5 am wake up calls, evenings and weekend free, i can volunteer again, i could start going to the pool again, i can have a life.

This last week on taxi isnt going to be pleasant, as expected my boss was not pleased to put it lightly when i told him i was quitting. He didnt think it was fair for me to decide to quit without consulting him. Why the hell would i consult him? Theres no way he could match the deal they gave me at the pet store, and its a job that i went to school for. Its my life i get to decide who and where i work for. I always knew that my boss had a way of guilting you into things and making you feel like shit...its part of why I havent been feeling myself for the longest time but couldnt find a way to get out without having another job to go to. Hes a sneaky workplace bully...im glad to be moving on for my mental health. Who knows maybe I‘ll even end up quitting sooner if he gives me a hard time, cuz really now that i have a new job to go to these last 4 days Im only working cuz i didn‘t want to be a complete ass like some of our past employees and just up and quit.