Second Floor Marketing

 I just finished with my last post. I set my laptop down and looked out my big window in front of me. I have an amazing view of the park and coffee shop on the street below me.
I saw a puffy messy puppy dragging his mom towards our building.

Aw, that puppy needs a haircut. OMFG THAT DOG NEEDS A HAIRCUT!!

I ran to my bedroom window, flung it open and shouted to the woman with the dog.

"HI! HI! I'm up here! Hi! Do you need your dog groomed??"

"Well, yes, I do!" she shouted back up to me.

We agreed to meet in the lobby downstairs. She lives in my building, too.

I pulled on my sneakers and flew down the stairs, because I was too impatient for the elevator.

I slowed down once I hit the door to the lobby. And I was soooo happy to see two beautiful messy dogs that need my help.
"Hi! Omg, look at them!" I said as I sat on the floor.

The short legged dog waddled up to me and was curious. The long legged dog was bouncing like crazy trying to come give me love. His dad had a good grip on his leash.

I told them who I was and how long I've been grooming. I explained what services I could offer. The couple were so sweet and were nodding as I spoke.

They asked how much and I told them the price and I would love to groom both dogs right now.

They looked at each other.

"It's ok, if you want to take time to think about. I kinda sprang this on you, and I live here, so if another time or day is better, just let me know."

They were smiling and said they were interested in me helping them right away.

I realized later, they were so shocked that we found each other and all of us needed each others help.

"Y'all can come upstairs to see my apartment. I'm on the second floor."

The couple looked at each other, shrugged and smiled.

I showed them my place and they were more than happy to leave the smaller dog with me to groom right away. I thanked them and made arrangements to switch the pups out.

The first dog was 9 yrs old. His name is Brody and he looks like a westie mixed with maltese. His mom said he was maltese & poodle, but he felt and acted like a westie.
It took two hours to clean him up. He was covered in mats from his face, to his hips. I used the shortest blade on him and his skin turned pink so fast. He also wasn't used to being groomed, so at first he shied away from the clippers. But, when push came to shove and I had to shave him, he began to bite at me. When he realized that I wasn't gonna give up, he gave in and let me groom him. It took about an hour for us to come to terms with what was happening in his world. After he surrendered to the grooming process, we finished within 45min.

I took him upstairs to his apartment. He flew in the door after his dad let us in. Brody was a new man and happy to be home. The owners faces lit up as they saw their little old man looking and acting like a brand new puppy.

The mom shared with me how they had struggled to find a good groomer and how amazing it was that I lived here and we found each other. I smiled. I love helping people. And getting their dogs groomed made them all feel better.

Brody's brother, Cooper, bounced around feeding off of Brody's happy energy as we talked.

Cooper is about 6yrs old and he's a goldendoodle. He's on the smaller side, about 50-60lbs. He was a wild banshee on the leash as we bounded down to the second floor. I made a mental note that he could totally be a fruit loop once I turned on the clippers.

One of the best things about dog grooming is being wrong and letting that humble you as a groomer.

Cooper stood by my front door, exactly where I was set up to groom. He stood perfectly still as I shaved him down with #7. He got sleepy and laid down. I rolled him around and roughed him in within 30 min. I put a leash on him and asked him to get into the shower. He enjoyed every minute of his bath. After a good towel dry, I let him prance around my apartment. He went back to the front door and waited. I put a fan on near him and he laid on a towel, while I swept up the hair.

One of my friends video called me. I took the call and was happily chatting away with her. She was sharing a story about helping change one of her clients whole life. Cooper came up to me and put both his paws on my stomach. He was smiling this big goofy goldendoodle smile and I started laughing. I showed my friend what he was doing and both of us just fell in love with this beautiful dog.

I let her go and blow dried my friend Cooper. He sat quietly and patiently for his blow dry session.

I finished his haircut out and took him home 30 min later.

I thanked the dad. The mom texted me and said her dogs were soooo happy and they couldn't wait to come see me again for a refresher, definitely sooner, than later <3