✨ Day One — A Groomer’s Return (Professional Recap)

Today marked the first official day of grooming as Janette’s Pets, and it could not have been a more honest reflection of why I do this work — skill, transformation, patience, and trust.

Moose – A True Turnaround

Moose, a mixed-breed male and a familiar face from my previous shop, has always been a difficult case. Historically reactive and extremely overgrown, he arrived today with 3–4 inches of coat needing careful removal.

I worked him down gently to a ½-inch trim, preserving comfort and structure while ensuring he was clean, safe, and mat-free.

Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Result: Moose left looking like a different dog — and acting like one. When a dog like Moose returns to a groomer who truly knows them, you can feel the relief in their body language.

The Maltese Sisters – A Rescue Groom

Two long-time Maltese clients arrived in unexpected condition: recently shaved to the skin, head to toe, with poorly maintained inner ears and nails. Their owner was heartbroken — these girls usually wear immaculate coats.

Rather than dwell on the previous groomer’s choices, I assessed their skin, coat regrowth, ear health, and overall comfort. I cleaned them up, shaped what I could, trimmed the new growth to an even outline, and restored their dignity.

Time: 75 minutes combined, groomed tandem

Result: Their owner left smiling instead of crying, reassured that their coats can regrow beautifully under consistent care again.

Pricing (Legacy Rate):

At $1.10 per minute, total service came to $198, and they kindly tipped $25.

All three were rebooked for bath maintenance in two weeks — exactly what a groomer wants to see when rebuilding a clientele.