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After spending most of my life handling all of my dogs' grooming needs, I discovered the joys of engaging the services of a professional groomer. It was sort of a happy accident. Otto had rolled in an extremely dead, long-dead, disgustingly dead salmon, and had rancid salmon oil all over his head, neck, and shoulders. Every time I got close to him I gagged. And it was early winter, so it was too cold to consider washing him with a hose. I called the owner of a grooming salon who donates her services to the worst cases at my local shelter and told her about my predicament. i didn't pull my punches, I told her I seriously was going to vomit if I had to do it, and someone else might vomit also. I told her that I'd pay ANYTHING she asked. I was serious.

wholedogjournal_blog

I would be able to take Sadie to another pet relief area

Jay did not panic. He went back home. Knowing that Fred is not a fence jumper

I met a small dog recently who had breath that could knock you over. Because I've had small dogs before, I knew enough to lift her lip and take a peek at her teeth. Even so, I was shocked, though not surprised, by the appearance of her teeth. That is, you could barely SEE white tooth material, for the accumulation of hard calculus ­ tartar ­ on her teeth. Her gums were inflamed and swollen, too.

or the zippers don't close tightly

the water meter readers (they don't come in the gate

It's amazing to me that even people who have fairly serious allergies themselves often fail to see the similarities between their own condition and their dog's allergies. Many people are quite experienced at avoiding the substances to which they are allergic – but don't realize that it would help their dog considerably if they would invest some time in trying to identify the substances to which their dog is allergic and limiting the dog's exposure to that allergen.

You know it's spring when you start looking for your tape rollers, or your face lights up when you see them at the pet supply store register. When you start coordinating your work wardrobe with your dog's coat. When it seems like you vacuum or sweep up enough hair to make at least a small dog every day.

and knowing this

I'm conflicted. I recently pulled a dog out of a shelter