Dear Diary,

Sometimes, I feel like I have a split personality. No, Diary, I’m not crazy, but I do have a pessimistic and often irrational voice that pops into my head from time to time, although my more logical side is always there to intervene and set things straight again. I mention this because it seems that voice likes to make its presence known whenever I’m grooming, and I’m learning to keep it quiet.

You see, not long after I groomed Ruby from the vet’s office, I received a phone call. It seemed Dr. B was so pleased with Ruby’s groom that she wanted to make an appointment for one of her personal cats.

This was a huge compliment. She strives to ensure that all animals in her care are treated as well as possible, but she is especially peculiar about her own animals. To be trusted with one of her cats means a great deal to me and is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

My usual nervousness kicked in the morning of his appointment. That voice was trying to run through all the things that could go horribly wrong and destroy any positive business relationship that could be established from it. If left to its own devices, it abandons reason in favor of paranoia. I realize that it’s not likely that Harley is going to due during his groom and that it’s a little irrational for me to fear that, but that’s where my thoughts travel if not focused elsewhere. Years ago, trial and error taught me that cleaning is the perfect ‘elsewhere’ for my mind, so I cleaned the shop.

Of course, once Harley was in the shop, I was able to focus on him and not anything negative. It’s difficult to be worrisome when such a handsome fellow curiously pops his head out of his crate. He didn’t seem to have a worry or care in the world as he glanced around the room and lovingly rubbed against me.

Well, that is, until I tried to clip his nails. At that point, he decided he might not enjoy this after all. He was thick and tall and strong, so I grabbed my Air Muzzle to be on the safe side. That only made him more upset.

In a split second, that voice had me thinking the worst was going to happen. I wasn’t sure what ‘the worst’ was, but I assumed it was pretty bad and that I was about to find out. Then, half a second and one deep breath later, I thought, “Don’t be ridiculous. I know what to do. The first step is to stop wasting time, so I’ve got to get moving.”

Now that I was back on track, his sanitary trim went quickly and easily.

Things continued to move smoothly until I began his bath. He was a ‘jumper,’ trying desperately to get out of the tub. My more logical side had anticipated the exact negative thoughts that were trying to surface, and I immediately thought, “Hunca Munca was older, frailer, and way more dramatic, and I managed him just fine, so as long as I don’t waste time worrying, I can manage Harley as well.”

He was difficult to bath but never showed signs of stress, although I did give us both a short break while he crate-dried for a moment. As I began drying him with the HV dryer, he returned to his unhappy state. My scruff hand had taken a beating and was starting to ache something awful, but before I had a chance to think anything negative, I said to Harley, “I hate to break it to you, but you’re no Claire, and if my hands could survive her, they can certainly survive you.”

Survive him I did. Much like Hunca Munca (and many of the other cats I’ve groomed), Harley was purring affectionately by the time his groom was finished.

Upon his return to the clinic, I heard that voice again. You see, I knew I needed to charge Dr. B for Harley’s groom, but I am a wuss when it comes to dealing with people. I know what I need to do; it’s actually doing it that gives me trouble. Anyway, that voice was franticly trying to talk me into not charging her at all. “My family has a tab running at the clinic. How can I charge her when we owe them money? That just doesn’t seem right.”

I knew that I should simply ask Linda to take the total off our bill. I provided a service and should be compensated accordingly for it. But like I said, I’m a wuss. I got lucky though, because Linda had remembered the prices I’d given her previously and immediately walked in with the checkbook, ready to pay me the full price. I told her not to worry with a check and that I’d rather her remove the amount from our bill.

“Shew, that was easy enough.”

For the record, I said I could squander that negative voice in my head when I’m grooming. That doesn’t necessarily mean I can do it when dealing with clients. Not yet, at least. Practice makes perfect, right?

At the NCGIA, we like firsts.

The NCGIA is the first association for cat groomers.
We have the first set of cat grooming standards and the first certification program for cat groomers.
And our school is the first school in the world that teaches cat grooming exclusively.

This is the first session where we have had 3 international students attend at one time.
It’s the first time we’ve had a student from Hong Kong attend.
It’s the first time we’ve ever had a student from Australia attend.

It’s the first time we had a major grooming celebrity visit our school.
It’s the first time we had a tornado watch during a school session.

Each of our students spent the past two days of class performing a variety of firsts: lion cuts, comb cuts, de-shedding treatments, cat bathing and drying, face trims, SoftPaw applications, sanitary clips, belly shaves, using clippers and Air Muzzles, and getting peed on by a cat.

Firsts are usually fun and always memorable.

Here are some photos from class today……….enjoy

Meet Dollar.

He lives at the school and watches over things, making sure the school building is safe at night while we are away.  During the day, Dollar sleeps a great deal.  Typical of a cat. Every once in a while, though, we make Dollar pitch in and help with the daytime duties of class activities.

Today was particularly busy for Dollar.  He started off the morning assisting Patty with the CPR and Animal First Aid class. He doesn’t like it much, but he does it anyway, because he knows he will get treats afterward.

Once the CPR class was through, Dollar went back to his favorite spot in the hallway and took a nap.  It was a short nap, maybe 20 minutes or so.  By that time we were ready to begin filming some footage for the Learn2GroomCats.com website that is operated by Melissa Verplank and the Paragon team.  We needed Dollar to assist with a film segment, and he was happy to help.  He loves being photographed and was excited to think he was now going to be in a video!

After the filming of various lectures, guided tours, and cat grooming demonstrations, Dollar went back to his spot and napped for the rest of the afternoon.  He was thankful that he was not needed for the actual grooming part of the class schedule.  But then Dollar knows we would never actually GROOM him, because he knows we groom real cats at our school instead of stuffed animals.

Dear Diary,

Back to the story: As I was returning Ruby to the vet’s office, I was delighted by how the day had gone. I successfully handled a cat that has only been groomed while sedated, and I had the pleasure of grooming one of the most wonderful kitties I’ve ever met. It’s a good thing that I was feeling so delightful; I needed that extra boost to confidently present Ruby’s groom to Linda. I wanted to leave a lasting impression on her and Dr. B.

“This groom could not only be the start of a glorious business relationship but it is also my chance to prove to them what I can do, so there’s both a business and personal investment in it.”

Why did I think? I don’t know, Diary. It was a terrible idea, because it only made me more nervous as I pulled into the clinic’s parking lot. In the next few seconds, I told myself that I was not going to let my nervousness show. Who wants to refer clients to a Nervous Nelly? No one, so I slowed down, took a deep breath, and went through the door with a bag of cat hair in one hand and Ruby in the other.

Linda was at the desk, talking to a client, so I reached into the carrier to remove Ruby. “This is my moment to ‘wow’ them,” I thought. I proudly held her on my arm, show style, for everyone to see. After about 3 seconds, though, she decided to make a break for it. I knew she was tired, so I let her hop onto the counter and run behind the desk towards Linda. She stopped to look back at everyone as if to say, “Feast your eyes on this.” Then she whipped her tail through the air while prancing around the corner, disappearing from sight.

I held my breath in anxiousness until Linda exclaimed, “Wow, Ruby looks great!” I felt a sudden resurgence of oxygen to my lungs as I finally remembered to breath again. She continued to go on about how great Ruby looked and asked if she gave me any trouble. “Not a minute’s worth,” I told her. She jokingly accused me of lying. “There wasn’t a single thing she gave me trouble over. In fact, I think she’s one of the best behaved cats I’ve ever groomed.”

Then I presented her with the piece de resistance – that is, I showed her the handfuls of hair that had been removed during her groom. She was so impressed that she asked to keep the hair to show to their clients, and she told me that she’d be sending as many cats my way as possible!

This is fantastic news, Diary. Linda is not one to be easily impressed nor does she recommend their clients to just anyone. So, you see, I’m not sure how to describe how I feel. Accomplished? Proud? Relieved? Elated? Giddy? I guess it’s a little of each!

(this blog series is being written by Kelcie Brown, CFMG and editor of the CGQ: Creative Groomers Quarterly put out by the National Assoc. of Professional Creative Groomers.  She is also the co-author of The Science of Creative Grooming.)

Dear Diary,

Today, I am at a loss for words. I know what you’re thinking. As much as I talk, how could I possibly be at a loss for something to say? Well, I can’t seem to find the words to describe how I feel, but I suppose I could try by explaining the day’s events.

I groomed two female DLHs. The first, Smokey Jane, belongs to a family friend. She’s been sedated and “groomed” in the past but has never had a bath, so I was confident I could send her home looking better than ever. The second was Ruby from the vet’s office. She had also never been bathed, but she certainly needed it!

I started the morning with Smokey Jane. Removing her from her carrier, she mostly seemed a little grumpy but not overly perturbed about what was happening.

Then, I placed my hand on her front left paw to clip her nails, and she decided this was not going to be an experience she would enjoy. Thankfully, I had my trusty Air Muzzle within arm’s reach to keep my hands safe while I clipped her nails and began her sanitary trim.

She was equally unhappy about her bath. Although she didn’t struggle, she would occasionally turn her head and attempt to bite me or the sprayer or anything else that was near her head. For her finishing touches, she fussed and growled and hissed and gave me a look that clearly said “I hate you for this.”

I situated her neatly on the table and stepped back to take a picture. She looked so angelic and dare I say, innocent. I looked at the pictures on my camera and then back at Smokey Jane, wondering if this was the same cat that had been trying to bite off my fingers. I reached towards her to place her back into her carrier when she immediately started growling. “Yep, that’s her!”

My other appointment for the day, Ruby, seemed a little unsure at first but quickly realized that her groom was nothing to fear. She didn’t give me a minute’s trouble over anything. I feel safe saying that she was the most compliant cat I’ve ever groomed. My little sister had wandered out to the shop to be nosey, and by the end of Ruby’s groom, she and I were arguing over who got to brush her!

It was such fun! There’s something quite satisfying about transforming a kitty from greasy and shedding to clean and beautiful. What made today’s experience even more satisfying was the owners’ reactions.

Smokey Jane’s mom was thrilled by how clean her kitty looked and felt. She had a fit when I showed her the handfuls of hair that were removed during Smokey Jane’s groom. “This would end up all over your house, turning into matts, and being thrown up as a hairball had you not brought her to me, and we can keep her looking this nice with a regular groom.”

I guess I lied when I said I was at a loss for words. I have so much to say but am so exhausted that the rest of the story will have to wait!

Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any better… Wahl introduces the Brav Mini trimmer in jewel tones to compliment the recently released new colored Bravura clippers.  Of course, I picked one up to match my Lavender Bravura while I was at Intergroom. 

I can’t wait to test clip this little trimmer on cat hair.  Something this beautiful must create beauty… So far I am struck by how quiet and vibration free it appears to run.  It even feels lighter in my hand than the Wahl Pro LT trimmer that I am crazy about.    

Stay tuned for upcoming reviews as I utilize the Brav Mini as part of my upcoming project to turn my recently rescued Flame Lynx Point Himalayan Lucifer into a cooperative creative groom model!

Brav Mini stands by Bravura Clipper

Dear Diary,

I awoke abruptly this morning with knots in my stomach. “Today’s the day I have my first paying client!” Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited, but I was equally nervous, so I did what I do when I’m nervous: I cleaned. I went to the shop bright and early, although Baby’s appointment wasn’t until 12, and I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned some more.

After all that cleaning, I still had time to kill, so I gave Hunca Munca a bath. I figured that would give the appearance that I’m busy working and grooming instead of sitting around waiting for Ms. Peggy (even though I really was).

While I was drying Hunca Munca, I began to worry that she may miss her appointment. It was only a few days ago that she made it, but when she scheduled it, she asked me to call her and remind her the day before. I should have refused, but the question caught me off guard, so I took her number. As I took her number, I did at least warn her that I myself might forget to call her.

Needless to say, I didn’t make the call. The truth is, Diary, I didn’t forget to call her. I thought about it several times yesterday and worried that she might miss her appointment because of it. I have no desire to make reminder calls, partly because I dislike making phone calls but also because I know that I will not have time in the future. In fact, I barely have time to do so now.

I didn’t want to call her just this once and develop a habit. My strategy with clients is to treat them like my dogs. I know how that must sound, but what I mean is that I want to train them well, develop good habits early, and be consistent. If I don’t plan to call her for her next appointment, then I’m not going to call her before this one either.

I was combing Hunca Munca and trying not to fret too much. I had myself convinced she wasn’t going to show and thinking that it would be worth it to lose this appointment rather than to get off on the wrong foot when the door to the shop opened and I was greeted by Baby and Ms. Peggy.

It caught me a little off guard at first, and then my ‘autopilot’ kicked into gear. I greeted her, gave her a client card to fill in, and removed Baby from her carrier. Ms. Peggy had not been kidding about her size! She was a large and overweight brown-patched mackeral tabby and white DSH. My hands were definitely doing to be full – figuratively and literally!

I was looking over Baby’s coat and getting a sense of her temperament when Ms. Peggy came across the mention of dander on the client card. “Dandruff? Is that the white stuff all in her coat?” Ah, what a perfect set up! I gave her the speech about dandruff, explaining what it is and how a bath will help with it. While I had her full attention, I took the opportunity to mention that a bath would also help with Baby’s shedding, as I petted her back to demonstrate the extent to which she was shedding.

She asked about the “other” section on the client card, and I explained the other services I offer (sanitary clips, belly shaves, etc.). “What do you think is best?” That has to be one of the most wonderful questions a client could ever ask a groomer. I told her that Baby would be fine to be clipped, but that the decision was hers. “Well, I think she just needs a bath. You said that would help with the shedding and dandruff, right?” Holy cow! She was actually listening. I couldn’t have asked for a better first client! “Yes ma’am, it will. And you know, she has such a pretty coat that I would hate to clip it.”

I told her Baby would be ready in an hour and got right to work when she left. I was a little worried that an hour wouldn’t be long enough, but I used the pressure of the time limit to make myself get it done. I put her in the tub and started bathing. I couldn’t have asked for a better kitty! She meowed in protest but never made any real effort to escape. Drying her was just as easy, as was her final brush out. She was such a doll; I finished her with minutes to spare!

When Ms. Peggy returned, I removed Baby from her carrier for that ‘Wow’ factor Danelle had taught us to utilize. It definitely helped! Ms. Peggy had a fit, complimenting the way her coat felt, looked, and smelled. We chatted about cats for a bit while she snuggled her clean kitty, and I learned that she knew Baby need bathing but no one around would do it for her. I couldn’t resist the chance to mention my credentials: “There aren’t a lot of us out there brave enough to groom cats. In fact, there’s only one other certified cat groomer in the sate.”

I also learned that Ms. Peggy had recently had a heart attack, so I insisted that she let me carry Baby for her. After I loaded her into the truck, Ms. Peggy thanked me again and hugged my neck with tears welling in her eyes. I had forgotten to mention pre-booking an appointment, so I told her to call me when she needs me and to take care of herself in the meantime.

Everything went so perfectly! You know, Diary, I think I could make a career of this whole ‘cat grooming’ business.

I am a cat groomer.  My tool kit consists of a number of clippers, various trimmers, nail clippers, a few combs and a pair of 4 inch scissors that have balled tips.  Yet, I find I have a confession to make… I purchased 5 new pairs of Geib Katana Cobalt Shears at Intergroom!

I couldn’t help myself!  I can’t even tell you how I found myself in a position to have Ed Geib lay a pair of shears in my hand, but what I can tell you is that from that moment it was too late!  It wasn’t a matter of if I would purchase shears but how many pair!  Somehow I settled on 5 pair that Ed carefully laid into a pair of beautifully crafted yellow leather cases that actually had room for 6 pair.

It is NOT my fault that I came home with 6 pair!  Blame that on Danelle, while I thank her!  Dear Danelle was so worried that I’d be filled with regret every time I looked at the open slot when I got home that she purchased a pair of curves for me! 

My new Katanas!

Every time I run my hands over the leather case I start to tremble.  I keep hearing The Black Keys “Howlin’ For You” running through my head.

“Alright

Yeah

Well now

I must admit
I can’t explain
Any of these thoughts
Racing through my brain
Its true
Baby I’m howlin’ for you

Alright “

I’m howlin’ for my new Katana!!! They are effortless to work with and feel like a natural extension of my hand. 

Thank goodness I have 5 dogs of my own that still need groomed, and a few very special dog clients that I still care for!

Dear Diary,

I received my brochures in the mail and went to Office Max yesterday to get display cases for them. I will take some to the local vets’ offices over the next few days, but this morning, I got them ready to display on the counter in the shop.

I really wanted to snap a picture of the brochures with Maxine on the counter. Of course, she decided against having her picture taken. She would hold perfectly still right until the exact moment I tried to take the picture. It was like she could tell when my finger was on the button.

“Fine then. I’ll try it with TFC. Maybe he’ll cooperate.” Well, I should have known better than that. He was worse than Max. He’d turn his head this way or that way or try to knock the container on the floor. I’m glad I used Velcro strips to keep them on the countertop.

Mom and I spent a good 15 minutes waving feather toys, clapping our hands, dangling treats, but nothing worked. “*Sigh.* I’ll take it without any cats on the counter.”

“Oh wait, what’s this? Now Maxine wants to daintily lie atop the counter, after we spent all this time trying to get just one of the cats to hold still and face the camera for to two seconds.” I had to refrain from rolling my eyes too dramatically. At least I got a picture out of it.

I’m so glad I sat those brochures out when I did. The second client of the day came with a friend of hers to pick up her dog. The friend glanced at the brochures and asked about having her cat’s nails trimmed. That lead to a conversation about grooming cats, what a groom entails, and whether it can be done. And that lead to her booking an appointment! I am so excited! I sent her home with one of each of the brochures with the number and her appointment time written on the back.

She didn’t even require any ‘convincing.’ She knows her cat needs a bath. Her only concern was whether or not I could handle her. “Baby’s awfully large,” she warned me. I assured her that Baby probably wasn’t too large to groom and told her that I had handled some monsters in school.

Now, as the end of the day approaches, my initial excitement is giving way to nervousness. Crap, I’m scared. I just booked a client! I have to take a deep breath and remember that I know what I’m doing. I went to school. I’m a CFMG. I can do this! Wish me luck!

YAWN!  Back from Secaucus!  Glad to be back in my little neck of New Jersey amongst the horse farms and seriously less traffic.  North Jersey is as foreign to me as it is to Miss Monica!

Intergroom 2011 was interesting.  I’m not a fan of the new days or hours, especially the later nights!  Foot traffic defiantly felt lighter over the course of all three days of the Trade Show.  The biggest difference that Danelle and I experienced at the NCGIA booth happened to be a positive one.   While the numbers of groomers attending appeared to be down, the number of folk who knew who we were or had heard of the school was well up.  In fact, more than ever before, we had the pleasure of folks bustling up breathless to the booth and exclaiming, “Oh good, you are here!  I came to the show just to find you.”   

6 months ago at Hershey we were still introducing the concept of a cat exclusive grooming school and receiving a variety of reactions, even though the school had been operating successfully since its inception 6 months before that.  Fast forward 6 months to Intergroom, and we are selling more curriculum related material and signing up students for the limited openings still available for the 2011 school year than Air Muzzles!

One of the most rewarding experiences for me was when Michael Penn, my former instructor from The Nash Academy of Animal Arts, came over to show us the face trim he had given his own cat the night before, all because he had picked up, “Here Kitty, Kitty” from me earlier in the day.  Michael glowed with pleasure and enthusiasm because the simplicity of the face trim technique had inspired him so.  I really can’t put into words the thrill it gave me to think, maybe, just maybe I was able to give a little back to Michael for all the love, support and guidance he so freely gave me while I was a bumbling student at Nash. 

And yes, it was a beautifully done face trim on a gorgeous cat!