It started with a dog, supported by a lion &  Beetle

How many dog first aid kits do you have? 🐾

Back in the middle of March, after a lot of thinking and reading conflicting information from Government bodies and those in the industry, I made the tough decision to close and help "flatten the curve". Once again in the middle of this month, I find myself doing a lot of thinking and reading conflicting information from Government bodies and those in the industry. This time I made the decision to reopen and help make your dogs a little more comfortable, be able to see or touch up home grooms! Whilst I do believe the risk of catching Covid-19 is fairly low as it is known canines can not be infected by the virus, they can however be a mechanism of transfer via their fur. In order to reopen, I've put in place a few extra hygiene measures for both my safety and yours. I am trialling a one-way system; arrivals via the external door and collections through Lillico store. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of you crossing paths as one dog arrives / leaves. I have appropriate PPE (gloves, face mask, apron) to prevent the virus, should it be present, transferring to me. There will be a crate at the 'entrance' for you to put your dog(s) in and remove harnesses and leads. Please keep their collar on and I will put it through my UV steriliser. I will spray your dog with Leucillin and then retrieve them using my slip lead and carry out a quick health and coat check prior to you leaving. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of you and I falling within the required 2m social distance. I will not ask you to sign the standard Declaration Form. For existing clients, I will trust your previous signature still applies and for new clients, I will seek your verbal agreement. As soon as possible, I will bathe your dog to wash away any virus should it be present and then continue the groom as usual. On finishing the groom, I will place your dog in a crate at the 'collection point' where you can greet them and fit their harnesses and leads. I will have given you a collection time and would appreciate if you can be prompt. I would prefer if payment be made using Contactless but cash is acceptable. Of course, future appointments can be made but I will confirm by phone / text rather than hand you a business card. Between each groom, I will be cleaning the crates, bathing area, floor and the grooming table using a Safe4 disinfectant that has been certified to kill Covid-19. I will also be steriliser the equipment, including leads. Unfortunately, with extra measures being taken, and considerably more hair growth, the grooms will take me longer. I will be unable to make as many appointments in one day as I had done previously. I appreciate your support and patience and hope you can bear with me a little longer whilst I reschedule you all back in. I do have a list I'm working through of those who were postponed plus those of who have made contact since. Along with the length of time since the last groom, I am also using a 'Condition of Dog' rating (see below). I look forward to being in contact soon and hope to bring a smile to your face when you see your #FreshlyCoiffedCanine.

Last weekend, I was renewing my emergency dog first aid certificate. To help familiarise ourselves in finding the femoral artery, Chris the instructor for Dog First Aid Kent had brought along a willing volunteer, his rescue dog - Cody. In conversation, he mentioned the centre from where he’d obtained her from had said approx. 30% of dogs that pass thru Kent re-homing centres could be returned to their owners if microchip details were up-to-date. That is a staggering statistic. Since 6th April 2016, it is a legal requirement for your dog to be microchipped however, the registered contact details could be that of the breeder, a previous owner, the rescue centre or of course there may not be a chip at all. On collecting your dog, the microchip details should be provided but that may not always be the case. If you don’t know whether your dog has a microchip and / or the microchip number, a vet, dog warden or rescue centre would be happy to run a scanner over them. If you don’t know which database the number is registered to – use the Check-a-chip website which should provide you with a contact number. I found the Government website to be very helpful too. It provides a list of the recognised databases that meet their criteria. If you dog isn’t microchipped - The Dogs Trust offer a free service at their rehoming centres (excluding Basildon), although you may need to make an appointment. In America, Thursday 15th August is being recognised as National Check the Chip Day. However, don’t wait until then, check the chip today ! PS - It is also a legal requirement for your dog, whilst in a public place, to wear a collar which must bear the owner’s name and address, via a tag if necessary.

There is much debate amongst dog groomers as to whether clipping off double-coated breeds helps to keep them cool. However, what most of us agree upon is if the fur is matt and undercoat free, the heat is able to be dispersed more easily. The other thing to consider when clipping off, and this is regardless of dog breed and coat type, their fur does provide protection from the sun. If you're going short, please provide plenty of shade, or try and keep the sun-worshippers from lying outside for long periods of time. What is perhaps a little known fact is dogs sweat thru their paw pads. Keeping them free of hair is a straightforward* way of helping them keep a bit cool - along with plenty of fresh water, dampened towels .... I'm more than happy if you wish to bring your pooch in for a pad fur trim - just give me a call / drop me a text in advance so I know to expect you - 07305 984827. *I won't say easy as I know how 'ticklish' feet can be!

From first hand experience, I declare it is rather wet for June. For a few days last week, I was standing in a field sporting wellies, wet weather gear and a hat. For the horticulturists amongst you, I can hear you say - " it is good for the garden though". I can't disagree but where plants grow, so do weeds! Recently when I've been 'prepping' (bathing, drying and brushing out) dogs, I have found a variety of grass seeds. Not so hazardous you may think but the ones with points can pierce the skin and travel. The outcome could vary from a mild skin irritation to surgery to remove the offending object. If you've walked through areas with particularly long grasses, please take the time when you get home to run your hands through your dogs fur, along their legs, body and especially paying attention to their ears and between their toes. It may save you a trip to your local veterinarian!

I can imagine when you collect your dog after it's groom you look and wonder why a pom-pom. Well, as I'm launching the colour for May, it seemed an opportune moment to explain. Why bother with anything. Yes it is a gimmick I suppose but for me, I believe it finishes off the groom. I liken it to what a bow or ribbon adds to gift wrapping. Your dog leaves K9C, freshly coiffed, neat and tidy. If you leave it on for a few outings, it could also be a talking point and therefore a bit of brazen advertising! Some of you may have noticed, I've tried other embellishments too - foam flowers and printed ribbon. I decided against the flower idea as the colours were restrictive, and my dog Boxley ate them! I do like the printed ribbon but it doesn't always fit the wide collars. I wondered if I could make my own bows but my needlepoint isn't great and I tried following YouTube videos using glue and double-sided sticky tape too! I settled on pom-poms. Using the new generation of pom-pom making gadgets now available rather than the 'cardboard doughnut' method - they take next to no time to make. I can make in any size to suit the dog, change the colour and the band will fit most collars or harnesses. I am a little thwarted with those of you who use slip leads but where there's a will ..... Other groomers use bandanas, bows, ties etc. and are usually themed; Christmas, Valentine, Easter, Halloween. However, I found in working a reduced week, there are not so many opportunities for themes Instead, I've chosen to use the colours of the monthly birthstones: January - Red garnet (Deep Red) February - Amethyst (Purple) March - Aquamarine (Light Blue) April - Diamond (White with sparkly bits) May - Emerald (Green) June - Alexandrite (Light Purple) or Pearl (Cream) July - Ruby (Red) August - Peridot (Light Green) September - Sapphire (Deep Blue) October - Tourmaline (Pink) or Opal (white multi-colour) November - Topaz (Yellow) December - Tanzanite (Blue) What can you use the pom-poms for - Christmas tree baubles, sew together to make a garland, used as filler to transform a plain vase into a table centre piece .... [answers on a postcard]! The only downside, most of my lunchtimes and evenings are spent making pom-poms!

Wow, a year has passed since Lillico's Spring Open Day on the 14th April 2018 and Canine Coiffures' inaugural day. As is mandatory for birthdays, there were cakes, balloons and games (but no jelly and ice cream though). Congratulations to Amanda Stephens for her guess of 298 and winning the jar of 305 treats, and yes I did count each and every one in. The question is, will she count each and every one out?! The raffle of a free groom in support of Smokey Paws was won by Emma and one of her two pooches, Fudge or Margot. In the process, a great total of £56 was raised and helps their 'Paws for Breath' campaign; to get a pet oxygen mask on every UK fire appliance (https://www.gofundme.com/f/smokey-paws-pet-oxygen-masks-paws-for-breath-campaign). The last year wouldn't have been possible without help. My parents who helped with setting up K9C's studio and still continue to be on hand with laundry, printed photographs and providing emergency kettles when the equipment fails! My friends who relentlessly promote my Facebook and Twitter pages (@k9coiffures). Lillico's who continue to support this venture. Finally to my clients and their dogs. Yesterday's last groom was Ted the Bedlington Terrier - my 188th . I'm looking forward to number 189 and all that follow thereafter.

You may have noticed my social media messages are beginning to resemble a hashtag shopping list. There is a method in the madness, or so I've been lead to believe. In a darkened room somewhere, social media gurus have undertaken research into the optimum times and content to Tweet / Gram / Post. Whether it reflects the dog grooming industry in Kent’s County town, I don’t have a clue. In essence, these hashtags are a 'search engine' that will highlight Canine Coiffures to potential clients. If you see a post, an occasional Share would be very much appreciated.

It is that time of the year when it is OK to lie back, relax and indulge. I'm sure you will have seen it repeated in various social media posts but I would just like to reiterate the possible dangers our Christmas delicacies could have on our pooches. If your dog is anything like mine and has an efficient hooter, they can sniff anything edible at a 100+ yards. Please keep the chocolates, fruit cake, mince pies and nuts up high. Along with the glorious floral displays we all have all had made(!) of poinsettas, holly and mistletoe. For those of you who have visited Canine Coiffures in December, I hope you liked the fragrance I used - Salted Caramel Spice. However, I think may nasal neurons may have been over exposed. I don't think I'll be eating anything faintly salted caramel-like for a while. Finally, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For many years now, I have made a charitable donation instead of sending Christmas Cards. This year, I sent some food pouches to Dogs on the Street ( www.dogsonthestreets.org) which Newnham Court Veterinary Group are coordinating. #AllDeserveAXmasDinner Enjoy the time with your family, and long walks with your dogs. Please note, I'm back at Lillico's on Saturday 5th January, but able to take your bookings over the phone (07305 984827) in the interim.