Settling In

So I wrote a post about how it's hard to start at a new place, whether an established grooming salon or a new business. It's hard to figure out what to say, how to interact with your co workers and your customers. How everything feels a little fake, kinda like a bad 80s sitcom. Then I tried to explain New Job's usual grooming procedures and how I didn't like them, and why.

It got all complicated and whiny. So I deleted it. I'll probably hit on certain parts of it later, since it's interesting to see how different businesses do things. But not today. Today it just sounds like The New Girl Whining.

This is Mittens. He was my first cat at New Job. He was greasy, dandruff-y and somewhat matted. And greasy. And gross. He smelled bad. He had huge flakes of dandruff just sitting on his coat. And he was really greasy. You didn't want to touch him. You can actually see the clumping coat (from grease and mats) and the dandruff flakes in this picture.

And he lived in someones house. He slept in their bed. He laid on their sofa. Someone loves Mittens. Sure, he's a really nice cat. Friendly, gentle personality. Probably a great companion for his people. But he was also a smelly, greasy, flaky, gross beast.

But they did the right thing and brought him to me to be groomed. I did a Full Belly and Sanitary Clip. I removed the mats. I bathed him 4 times with a degreasing shampoo. A fifth bath with a mild texturizing shampoo. I blew him dry with my beloved Chris Christensen HV dryer. I became covered in dandruff flakes. I trimmed his very long, very thick, very sharp nails and cleaned his waxy ears. I did my final comb through and sent home a handsome cat! Soft and shiny, he smelled pleasant, was silky to the touch, and mat and flake free.

Was Mittens perfect? Unfortunately, no. He had some bare spots from the mats. They'll grow back. He still had some dandruff flakes here and there. His coat wasn't quite as flowing and lovely as it could be. Was he a million times better than when he came in? Oh yeah! Will he look better - the way I *want* him to look - after his next groom? Possibly. If his owners wait and allow him to get as gross as he had been, no, he won't. If his people bring him in before that happens, he'll have a fighting chance. If they bring him in on a regular basis, the correct time frame of 6 - 8 weeks for a long coated cat kept in full coat, he'll improve even more. He'll be perfect. Shiny, flowing coat that is silky to the touch. Healthy, flakeless skin. No excess grease or "chalkiness".

I really hope Mittens becomes a regular. He's a very handsome cat. He's enjoyable to work with. I know his owners love him. I also know he's a big part of their life, and their home. And just like you want your furniture, floors and bedding to be clean and fresh smelling, you want your cat (who will be on all of those things!) to be clean and fresh smelling as well.

That is entirely obtainable with a regular grooming program with a Certified Feline Master Groomer, such as myself! The best part is, you don't even need to do anything at home. Just enjoy your cat and leave the rest to me.

Mittens Before: Greasy, clumpy, kinda Icky!

Mittens After: Soft, silky, touchable!