#Petsmart #Grooming Follow-up

People are genuinely so sad.... Rather than have an honest conversation, they'll vindictively stalk you and your friends on Facebook trying to catch you in some act they can accuse you of.

What would I do if I had been publicly called out?
Probably be angry and throw a fit.... And then I would question myself to try and find what they see. I would really set my intention to learn, understand, maybe even make some changes. I might be surprised at what others see that I was unaware of.
But alas, people are too afraid to look in the mirror and be honest anymore... They can't have conversations anymore, and I know this.
What bothers me most is that this makes me just shut up. That doesn't feel right either. But maybe that time has come.... I don't know.

But this time I didn't.....
I opened my mouth because I care.
I have no need to apologize for that.

I care. I care more about the people than they would ever understand. I care about the art of animal care. I care that there are much better ways to do things but people can't get past their fears and insecurities and let others help them.       

I'm not perfect. I don't have all the answers. But I do have a storehouse of wisdom that I willingly give away for free. That's what Petgroomer911 is all about.

What would you do if you were publicly called to account?
Not attacked, just called out.
It would probably scare you... Hurt you.... But would you ever consider the possible truths??

Abusive people are always confident with the people they abuse. But put them in the company of others, and they aren't so confident anymore. They act differently. Almost as if they KNOW that what they're doing behind closed doors is completely unacceptable. 
If someone puts a light on your actions..... Are you ok with that?
Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

I admit.... I often blog to vent. Because there is no conversation to be had with a corporation, or those enslaved to them. I know. I tried.
They couldn't change the way they do things if they wanted to.

The reason I write this shit is because there are a handful of people out there still genuinely searching for truth.... I know some truths.
I share them here sometimes.

I cannot however share names in this blog it turns out. People don't know how to behave like they're grown and that may cause problems for the innocent.
Its not my intention to hurt people.
Its my intention for people to wake up and care.

Rather than be a stressed out miserable hag, and annoy the shit out of everyone around me, I quit the corporate world. It is a losing battle.
That doesn't mean that the people or the animals have to be lost with it.

There are wonderful people in corporate salons!! Because they have to pay their fucking rent just like everybody else...... But they're wonderful because of who they choose to be on a daily basis.

Peace
Love
Rock & Roll

#Petsmart #Grooming

Petsmart grooming salon at store #1141 on Gulf to Bay BLVD in Clearwater Florida has a new "groomer" that is scared of animals and therefore makes them nervous as hell.
This is one of those groomers I've tried to teach you all about. She's no different than any other average wage earning employee. To her, it's just a job. And the more she sells, the more money she makes for herself and for THE COMPANY. And sell she does.
She has no sense of integrity whatsoever. She has been grooming for FIVE WHOLE YEARS and used to be a salon manager at a previous store!!!!!
She's afraid of animals!!!!!!!!!
She's greedy and has no regard for her fellow groomers or bathers. She passes her duties as a groomer off to others so that she can take breaks, but still gets paid as if she had done all the work.
She grooms horribly because 1) she never learned how to groom in spite of going thru "800 hours of Academy training" at Petsmart Academy, and 2) she takes way too many dogs to groom them well OR humanely!!!!
The salon manager knows and does not even understand why any of this is a problem. Seriously!
The store manager doesn't know anything about animals - He was previously a manager at Best Buy!
Another REAL groomer from that salon tells me stories that make me nauseated.
All I wanna say is that THEY don't really care about us, the pet parents, the real groomers, or the animals.
DO NOT BE FOOLED! 
There are two really great groomers at that store. The rest......
You really should just stay away, and tell everyone you know to do the same.
Ask and I'll give you names.
#fedthefuckup
#Petsmartisabadplace

#GroomingStories - The Groomer's Check-In List

The things people do not realize about the corporate grooming industry would boggle your mind!

So let's do our part in the grooming world for Team Disclosure....

The first thing that everyone should know about corporate or franchise grooming businesses is that they are JUST THAT - Businesses! First and foremost, they are a business entity and they must turn a profit. This is the nature of the Beast that Americans love so much called Capitalism.

Now this is NOT to get political!!!

I'm stating this as a foundational fact that greatly impacts your pet's grooming experience!!!

I'm stating it emphatically!!! Because as "employees" of said businesses, we are not allowed to disclose these lengthy discourses to you as to "WHY" things are the way they are.

It's 2017 and if you have not yet awakened to the hard, cold reality that - what you don't know makes someone else money... lots and lots of money...... its ALL about money..... then you really don't even have a reason to keep reading this.


Now, to the Check In.

When you bring your pet to a corporate grooming salon, there is a check-in process.

This process often frustrates people because it takes too much time. Especially regular or repeat clients who see you take notes the first time (or ten!) and don't understand why you have to do it every time you come in.

Here's the premise:

• Things could have changed with your pet since your last visit. 

➻This is a legitimate issue. People forget to give information lots of times because they have grown used to a change and its no longer new to them, losing sight of the fact that their groomer hasn't seen them in a month, give or take, and has no knowledge of this new thing.
People get preoccupied with life....
People get preoccupied with having to be somewhere else by a certain time....
People get irritated or flustered by crowds, noise, or busy-ness...
People forget things.

➻Also, people censor information based on their own personal analysis. People often don't see a reason that you should have to know certain things, so they don't tell you. They don't know or understand the full grooming process or animal psychology at all, and don't grasp the impact a certain bit of information might have on the experience.

➻People lie. If they tell you that their dog has a heart condition and could very well die from the stress of grooming..... but their dog really needs grooming..... and if they can't get you to do it they don't know where else to turn.... They're gonna lie!

     If a dog is a matted mess and the client is afraid it will cost more for grooming this time... They will lie!
     They will lie about vaccinations.
     They will lie about age.
     They will lie about breed.
     They will lie about temperament.
     They will lie about their availability to be able to pick their pet up, or how quickly they will arrive if they are late or forgot their appointment.

Face it! We are ALL conditioned to lie!

     If things have changed with your pet or your situation since your last visit to the salon, your groomer needs to know. And the only way to get reliable information is for the groomer or person responsible for checking your pet in for the appointment to asks all these questions every time you check in!
This is straight up legit protocol... For any salon.

• Grooming Notes & Instructions 

➻ Yes... YES!!!! They are supposed to take notes! But we are focusing on corporate salons in this article and so here's the true truth: They hire ANYBODY that passes a drug test and shows up!!!
No experience, no love for animals, no common sense required!
These people don't know how to take notes - No one ever taught them!
These people usually hire in as "bathers" and don't even know how to groom - no one ever taught them! If you don't know how to groom, how can you ask the right questions and write the right notes!?

     A lot of the people they hire are academy trained groomers who were taught horribly (by people who were taught horribly, by people who were taught horribly.........) or left to their own devices and not really taught anything at all! BOTH of these scenarios are the case with corporate salons! I've NEVER seen a corporate salon academy grad who knew shit! And what they thought they knew, was wrong.

     The people they hire are just not trained period. People with NO people skills, much less animal knowledge, no customer service skills, no natural talent for helping and assisting people..... They screw shit up ALL THE TIME! With little or no consequence! Because no one in the entire corporate salon structure knows enough about the true ART of pet grooming to know when something is being done in a horrible manner but CAN BE FIXED!!!

     Software glitches are REAL! A lot of times your best groomers will painstakingly make impeccable notes only to have the computer not save them, or "lose" them at a later date. I'm here to spill the beans on the whole charade, so I wouldn't add this if it were not a painful truth. It frustrates good groomers to no end. But it is a thing, it does happen. Often.

➻So what kind of groom do you want? Yes, even YOU can change your mind "this time"! We need to know, because there are SO MANY FACETS to pet grooming that only well trained and experienced pet groomers are aware of.... If these "T"s are not crossed and "I"s not dotted.... You'll bitch!

     Now good groomers do not mind making adjustments for good clients! But a good groomer also knows how to nail good notes at check in so that most of the groom is easily translated to the pet and things are spot-on the first time.

     And NOOOOOOOO! All groomers are not the same! All "grooming schools" are not the same! All salons are not the same! All terminology, and "style" names do NOT transfer across the board!

     There is very little consistency in the grooming world. Which is why it is more accurate to refer to pet grooming as an Art form, rather than a "job" or "vocation" that you can just take a few classes and learn to do. Can anybody take art classes? Absolutely! Does art class make you an artist? HELL NO!
If you can grasp that, then grasp that the same is true of pet grooming.

     A "Puppy Cut" in Ottawa is not the same as a "Puppy Cut" in Los Angeles, or Bowling Green, or Seattle, or Clearwater! It means different things to..... EVERYONE! It is not a style in a grooming academy book, it is not recognized by the AKC.

"Yes, I would like a Puppy Cut on my dog." And then when this lady comes to pick up her 2 year old Pomeranian and it looks like a Labrador puppy, SHE gets pissed off! Why??? It's a Puppy Cut!

     NO ONE uses "style names" anymore. Maybe you have a long relationship with one groomer who has a style name for the cut your pet gets.... And that's ok. But don't come down here on vacation and drop that style name and expect anybody to know what you're talking about. And worse yet, is the groomer who writes that style name down and asks you no other questions!!! Guarantee you're gonna be pissed off when you pick up your pet.
Style names mean nothing!
There is NO consistency in the grooming world!
If you want your pet groomed correctly, be patient with your groomer's questions at check in!

• To Blindly Accept.... 

And here's the kicker..... If a groomer blindly and unquestioningly takes your pet into their possession and care, they become LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE!!!

And THIS is why check in is sooooooo long. That groomer is ideally supposed to go out there with your pet, feel the pet's skin and coat, visually examine the skin and coat for mats, moles, sores, fleas, ticks, lumps, abrasions.... check for unusual odors, check the eyes, ears, mouth, paws, privates, and tail, check for anything that doesn't seem right, check their gait, and check for temperament. While doing this the groomer is supposed to have a conversation with you to recommend special products that may benefit your pet's specific conditions. The groomer also takes this time to inform you of extra charges that will not be optional such as flea shampoo, de-mat fee, special conditioners for bad skin or a challenging coat, AND to let you know of any issues that they are not allowed to deal with and refer you to a vet. All this on top of all the questions before the manual exam!
     If any little thing is out of place when a pet goes home, despicable human beings can blame everything on the groomer! What's sad is that good groomers get blamed for stupid pet parents' stupidity even when they care deeply for the animals. If check in is done properly, a groomer will notice an existing condition, make a note of it, discuss it with the parent and not get blamed for causing it! But that takes so much time.....!
And a lot of times, good groomers trust people when they shouldn't. They get blamed for limps and squinty eyes and red skin.... When any idiot would've noticed their pet was like that at home.
     Then the really awful "groomers" do horrible, careless things to these poor animals and people tip them and ask for them by name....!
(Look for other #GroomingStories to hear some of these tales.)

➻Why the long check in?
     Well the answer you all want to hear is "Because they care that much about you and your pet!" But nothing could be farther from the truth in a corporate salon. In a privately owned salon that could well be the case... They have no pressure to perform for corporate shareholders so they are allowed to care more about you and your pet than they do about money. With private salons, all those recommendations are more likely to be of genuine value and not just an "up-sell". Usually.
But this article is about the corporates.... They "recommend" products to "up-sell" you. They interrogate you to cover their asses legally. Period. End of corporate story.
     This is why they could care less who they hire and what these people do in the salon, as long as they're making quota, raising quota, and not getting caught doing anything that could get out to the public and merit a lawsuit.

BAM!

Welcome to Petsmart and Petco ladies and gentlemen!
It's ALL about money and lawsuits.
The Check In is all about covering their corporate ass to avoid lawsuits. That's why you have to sign the check in paper. That's why it seems like you're in a lawyer's office. You kind of are.

This article is to let you know about the Groomer's Check-In List.
Some do it for all the right reasons, others don't have a clue why they do it, and some just don't care.
Whether in corporate or privately owned salons, good groomers are born not just trained, and they care deeply! They care more about animals than anything in the world, by my experience!
Educate yourself about grooming procedures that you don't understand. Ask your groomer questions then google their answers at home. You'll find great answers for both sides of any argument. Ultimately, you have to follow your own heart and intuition, and make your own decisions.

I live in a world where blame has no place.
Personal responsibility is the only rule anyone needs.
Love the animals!
Respect your groomer because you KNOW they are respectable. If you don't know that, then keep searching.
But please don't blame them for corporate policies that are no different from every other inconvenience in the world created because of irresponsible people.
Don't be that irresponsible person!

Here's what a GOOD, Well Trained groomer should do at check in:

• A good groomer can tell if something is off and your pet doesn't feel well in general. 
• They will socialize with the pet to see if there are fear or protection issues, or emotional instability that will make it difficult or unsafe and impossible to groom the pet.
• Once they're friended, the groomer checks for mats in pets with long hair by feeling the coat, behind the ears, and down the ears, around the chin and cheeks, tail, arm pits, legs, belly, and chest. If time permitted they would do this with a comb - because parents never seem to believe that their dogs are matted! Because they brush them....! (One of the biggest jokes amongst groomers!)
• They check the eyes for sores, goo, cherry eye or anything that doesn't look right.
• They check the ears outside for bumps, lumps, cuts or scrapes, and inside for odor, goo, crusty skin or any other abnormality.
• They check the mouth area and teeth for sores or general soreness or pain, which could indicate gum disease or infection - as opposed to just being a bad dog, or difficult to groom.
• They will check for food-mats or moisture mats and tangles on the face, eyes, and chin to assess how they can be dealt with. Some can be brushed, others must be shaved.
• They will check the paws for mats, nail condition, inner pad and toe mats for sores or debris that may be causing issues such as stickers, tar, gum....
• They will let you know if the nails would benefit more from clipping or grinding, or both. 
• They will check the tail for mats or other issues.
• They will  part the coat or brush it backward to see the skin. They are looking for fleas & ticks, redness, scabs or sores, moles. They will notice specific odors and should know what that means.
• They will check the privates for mats, discharge or other abnormalities. And they should check females for blood which indicates being in heat. Of course this question is asked, but people are often ignorant, don't know the pet's history, or they lie!
• A good groomer does recommend special products that may help your pet for specific issues. Unfortunately in corporate salons, what they recommend is limited to what is approved by the company and not what the groomer knows would be best.
• A good groomer will be honest with you about your pet's condition and what they feel should be done, whether its just a bath or full groom with hair cut.
• Once all this is gone over, if you're getting a hair cut for your pet, the groomer will go over each detail of just what you want.

What length? Using the term "inches" is not smart at all! It registers differently for everyone. I don't care who you are! An inch to a kid just out of high school is NOT going to be the same inch as the pet parent who's a carpenter, math teacher, or interior decorator!
Groomers who try to ask a client what length by referring to the blade number are also very very dumb! Clients do NOT know blade numbers!!! Not even if they think they do!  They are not supposed to know blade numbers.
I have found that asking things like "half off", "more than half", "less than half" is a great, easy start to determine the length people want.
How long do you want the ears? This is for dogs with long hair. Other breeds have breed-specific ear styles that would require you to ask if they want the tips of the ears shaved, or the whole ear shaved, or a certain length down from the head shaved.
Do you want the tail trimmed and if so, how much? Or, if there is a breed specific style, do they want that?
When they ask for a breed specific style, Go over each step anyway to confirm what they think that means! Again, it's different everywhere you go!
If you don't think the nails should be clipped, because of the pet's temperament or the condition of the nails, or because of a past bad experience the pet had, or if the pet is a terrier and has long quicks and will bleed easily, recommend grinding. Explain your decision! Good groomers do NOT bleed pet's nails carelessly! People often confuse "long" nails with "sharp" nails. I may not be able to safely take off any length, but I can grind the sharp points off.

Depending on each unique situation, of course there will be other things to address and get crystal clear at check in.
Never take short cuts and never assume!
Get specific.

Do groomers actually do all this? Most times no, because in corporate salons they don't have time! They are pushed to groom too many dogs in too short a space of time! They are pushed to up-sell! They have to answer phones. Many times they have to deal with the incompetence of other employees, including the salon manager. They are stressed as HELL! So NO they don't have time to do things the way they would if they made the rules!

Be patient at check in.
Corporate salons SUCK! Most of them are horribly mismanaged at best and being short staffed or incorrectly staffed is not the fault of anyone on the lower end of the food chain!
Rules come from idiots and ass holes who file lawsuits.
Self responsibility is the answer.
Truth.

No Apologies.

Nails

Nail clipping is the most horrifying experience in grooming for the animal, pet parent, or groomer - by FAR!
If they say it's not, RED FLAG!

If a professional groomer or bather makes "lite" of nail trimming, that is another HUGE RED FLAG!!!
Now this is not to say that there should be fear and horror surrounding nail trimming - even from the groomer!!!
Absolutely not!
The groomer SHOULD be confident, and demonstrate that skill and confidence by performing a "happy nail trim" experience for you to witness for yourself.
But if the groomer "makes lite" of nail trimming without ever acknowledging the importance of doing it right, this should concern you.

This is one of those "DO NOT try this at home!" things, unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
YES you can hurt them and it IS a big deal, I don't care what anyone tells you, VETS included.

This is the biggest cause of trauma for dogs in the grooming environment, along with water in the face - specifically nose and ears - and forced air blower to the face - specifically nose and ears.
Most of the time, it is well-meaning pet parents, who are really trying to be responsible, who screw their poor dogs up for life!

And yes, YES, there are more ignorant and careless groomers out there than you care to know about!

#PETPEAVE
Many groomers and vets will tell you that it's no big deal to quick them (cut the nail so short that it cuts the blood vessel and bleeds). All you do is put a little Quick Stop (styptic powder) on it to stop the bleeding and they're fine!

BULLSHIT!!!

Along with that blood vessel (all blood vessels!) are NERVES! And it hurts to cut them! How could it NOT hurt??? That's what nerves are for! To FEEL.
And why are there such sensitive nerves in the nails?
Well dogs dig. Dogs claw and scratch. Dogs run. These activities are part of their natural lives, part of their survival.
Nails give substance, traction, protection and basically work as tools for the dog. If they are injured, it is very important that the dog knows this! That's what pain in the body is for. To let you know that something needs attention.

Dogs feet are one of the three most sensitive parts of their body.
That's how important their feet and nails are to them.

They usually don't like their feet touched at all  because the feet are hyper-sensitive.
They depend on their paws GREATLY!!!
Without the full use of their paws, animals are very vulnerable.
So the built-in defense mechanism surrounding an animal's paws is greatly magnified.
To be ignorant of this is a sign that you should not be working with animals in the first place!

"No One can do her nails!!".... Yeah, I've heard that a lot.

1) There's an obvious reason for that! Something happened, at some point. Whether it was a human incident, or a cracked nail that just got snagged on the carpet or a blanket, something happened and it hurt and now the dog is scared. This needs to be noticed, and dealt with properly.

2) I've done almost as many "impossible" nail trims as I have easy ones... Leaving people absolutely amazed at how I did that with no biting, no muzzle, no screaming, no trauma...!
And most of the time, no need for Quick Stop! (Every groomer should have Quick Stop in their medicine bag. Accidents do happen, even with the best of us.)

And so BAM! The answer is, I know what I'm doing!

And the fact that I've successfully done so many impossible nail trims with no trauma is proof of what I say - That there are HOARDS of so-called "trained" "professional" groomer/bathers out there that are NOT trained properly and are by NO MEANS the standard of a professional!

The BEST thing a pet parent can do for their pet concerning nail trimming is -

• LEARN as much as you can. 
• Don't believe the first thing you see, hear, or read about pet nail trimming!
• Discuss the subject amongst your pet parent friends.
• Find a groomer that is willing to demonstrate a "happy nail trim" for you.
• Get that groomers name and spread it like wild fire!
• Speak up amongst your pet parent friends! Become an advocate for proper nail trimming. Even if you NEVER quite get the hang of doing it yourself, at least promote someone you've found who CAN do it well, and therefore help others put an end to ignorance in grooming!

No Apologies!!!

Feral Cat Colonies - A Full Discourse

You do NOT understand what feral means.

You do NOT understand cats.

You do NOT understand colonies.

And you do NOT understand The Prime Directive!

Can you open your mind enough to consider that this may be true?

Yes, "RESCUER", I'm talking to you!

"Back in the day, we used to "fill in the blank". But nowadays, they do it like "this"

Ever heard of a scenario like this??

Why did things ever change...?

Because some human evolved. They grew. The imagined a better way and followed that path. They were inspired with a moment of genius that led to a great new thing.

Remember leaches and electro-therapy??? (google them under "medicinal uses")

We do what we have to do.... Until we learn more. Then we adjust.

This allows us to grow, become more efficient, evolve.

Evolution is our progress toward the divine.

feral - wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained

cat - an independent, social, intelligent, wild species of animal that have a language and completely self sufficient cultural structure just like all other living beings do.

colony - A colony is a group who settle in a new place but keep ties to their homeland.

Now put it all together....

Feral. Cat. Colony.

Wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained, independent, social, intelligent, species of animal that have a language and a completely self sufficient cultural structure just like all other living beings that have settled in a new place but keep ties to their homeland.

The Prime Directive is a prohibition on interference with the other cultures and civilizations that representatives of different species encounter in their exploration of the universe.

Now.... Why in the name of god or anyone else do human beings feel the need to INTERFERE with FCCs as if they needed help!?

Well..... Here's a good story on the subject....

Real Ecology | Born in the Streets: The Global Impact of Feral Cats

In truth, the legitimate concerns about feral cat colonies in the modern world only exist in cities, and these concerns include disease, aggression, population, and surrounding ecological balance.
I bet most "RESCUERS" don't even know what that means, much less have they ever considered the truths behind it.

Well, here's what "considering" issues on a deeper, more honest and sincere level looks like:

• Disease
• Aggression
• Ecological Balance
• Population

There is no other legitimate reason to interfere with feral cat colonies besides these.
And the only factor that lends legitimacy to these few concerns is the instance where the colony exists in a city with no nature, no wilderness, no large parks in which to be part of a complete ecological cycle. A cat colony inside a man-made, artificial environment does not and even can not behave naturally and in a healthy way. They become by default, dependent on unnatural means of survival.

• Disease - What diseases do feral cats have or carry that would be a cause for concern?

• According to a Wikipedia entry about feral cats:

Disease prevalence
Feral cats, as with all cats, are susceptible to diseases and infections including rabies, bartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, plague, parasites, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), rickettsial diseases, and feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC, a group of respiratory illnesses including feline herpesvirus type 1, feline calicivirus, Chlamydia felis, and Mycoplasma felis).[38]

Feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus belong to the Retroviridae family, and both cause immunosuppression in cats, which can increase their susceptibility to other infections. Research has shown that the prevalence of these viruses among feral cat populations is low and is similar to prevalence rates for owned cats in the United States.[39][40]

Researchers studying 553 feral cats in Northern Florida in the United States tested them for a number of infections that could be detrimental to feline or human health. The study found the most prevalent infection to be Bartonella henselae, the cause of cat-scratch disease in humans, with 33.6% of the cats testing positive. Feline coronavirus was the next most common infection, found in 18.3% of the cats, although they noted that the antibody levels were low in most of the cats who tested positive, and concluded that the cats they tested did not appear to be a greater risk for shedding the virus than pet cats.[40] Researchers studying 96 feral cats on Prince Edward Island (ISLAND meaning a closed area) in Canada found that feline roundworm was the most common infection in cats in that colony, afflicting 34% of cats. This was followed by Toxoplasma gondii, which was detected in 29.8% of cats, although only one cat of the 78 for whom fecal samples were available was shedding T. gondii oocysts. They did note that most fecal samples collected indicated the presence of one intestinal parasite, with some samples indicating the presence of multiple parasites.[41]

• If you bother to notice, most diseases become effective on their victims because of LOW IMMUNITY.  This is across the board! Always. Humans, animals, plants..... Ya see, your ignorance actually spreads more disease than all the feral colonies in the world.
• Your over-lauded VACCINATIONS are DESTROYING everyone's immune system. The "diseases" that have become Financial Industries today, did not cause one ripple of concern 50 years ago, because they basically did not exist. Oh the disease existed, but not in Every Single Animal in the country!!!
• Yes COUNTRY, as in America. These same things don't exist in other countries the way that they do here. Why? Americans believe anything! And are terrified that not vaccinating will end in death and guilt FOR ETERNITY!!!!!
• But look at the numbers.... At least the only ones available, which are posted above. Low percentages of disease in natural-living unvaccinated, wild animals, with the highest percentages presenting in animals with weak immune systems. In the wild this is most likely due to lack of proper nutrition. Or ingesting toxins.
• Vaccinate them all??? NO. Build the immune system! YES. Or allow them the freedom to live naturally so that the immune system is healthy.
• Wild animals survive just fine without vaccinations..... Do you ever think about that?!?!?
• And what about those that just can't make it? We RESCUE these, right? NO. Leave them to nature. Do not interfere.
• It is cruel to vaccinate and neuter, and then return them in a compromised state to the wild! Leave them alone.

• Aggression - Reports of feral cats attacking pets, children, even adults.... 
• Obviously feral cats are DANGEROUS!!! 
• Are they???? How would you know the difference between dangerous and ........ 
• Hey wait a minute.... WHY would feral cats act aggressively IN THE FIRST PLACE??? Is it just because that's what feral cats do??
• Did anybody bother to ask?  Did anyone bother to find the reason..... Any possible reason, that feral cats would be aggressive...? No. No no one did bother. But they sure didn't waste any time ASSUMING !!
• Aggression can be caused by hunger. I'm cranky when I need food, how bout you?
• I might be aggressive if I were put into an unnatural environment where I could not exercise my instincts for hunting my own food. 
• My natural prey may not exist in my current unnatural environment so I'm forced to find food in other ways, from other sources... This might put me at risk of being attacked or abused my HUMANS.
• And because I'm put into these situations I might become desperate and even fearful.
• At this juncture my deepest, wildest base survival protocol takes over.... I get labeled. And misunderstood. I attack you before you can attack me. I feel NO sense of trust from you whatsoever!!! YOU are dangerous to me!
• Feral cats are not aggressive because they are feral. They may become aggressive if they're: 
• Hungry
• Frustrated
• Trapped (in any sort of confining environment)
• Sick
• Desperate
• Afraid
• Imprinted with a bad experience, like abuse, or a fight
• Taunted, harassed, or chased by humans
• Reasons. Not assumptions. This can be fixed.

• Ecological Balance - From what I was able to read, most concerns are about bird populations. Reportedly, feral cat colonies have wiped out entire species from their territory. Not out of aggression or genocidal tendencies.... But just for food. This obviously signifies that the cats are not in a complete ecological system. Meaning that the only prey they can find enough of in order to live are birds. 
• So let's just take this moment to once again acknowledge and maintain perspective on the fact that this is a MAN MADE problem.
• We - as MAN (human, not males) - can perpetuate the problem by continuing to engage in unnatural solutions for our own ignorant, and/or selfish purposes.
• Or we can realize that all of nature has a balance, and that as evolved beings, we don't have to live like cavemen in order to cooperate and thrive WITH nature. We CAN find solutions that provide the best for every species. We can find nature's balance and progress. 
• Solutions:
• Relocate entire colonies to more fertile grounds
• This means allowing the complete cycle of nature... For everyone.... Meaning cats not only have a broader variety of prey - making them healthier, and not singling out one species that could be wiped out by over-hunting - but it also means that cats themselves become prey as well. This is the cycle of nature.
• This solves SO many human-related issues! We don't have to "kill" anyone. We don't have to perpetuate a broken method that we will forever  be burdened with finding a way to support - ie shelters, fosters, vets, meds, food, and a never-ending flow of cats, cats, and more cats.... Nature will be more fulfilled and not have the need to encroach onto human territory. We won't have to "capture" or "remove" or "hunt" coyotes, alligators, mountain lions. bears, hawks, wolves.... 
• Let nature be nature!!!! Do not interfere. Guide and assist at best, but stop implementing "solutions" to problems that don't really exist. Just rebalance nature and let it flow, ALLOW it to be!
• For smaller colonies, relocate them to a "workplace" where they can actually be of service once again. Rather than chemical pest control, create an ecosystem in warehouses, barns, malls, shopping centers.... anywhere that there are other creatures that humans feel the need to exterminate. Dogs work, why can't cats?? 
• One huge NON solution is capture, foster, domesticate!!!
• There is a difference between a feral cat, and what is called a "stray" that is actually a domesticated cat that has lost its home for whatever reason. 
• Indoor-Outdoor free roaming is best when possible if you have cats that choose to share your space comfortably. Never force.

• Population - More than all the other reasons for TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs is to capture wild animals, surgically remove their ability to reproduce, and send them back into the wild. This is a GREAT idea, right!?!? 
• Is it natural? NO!
• Is it harmless? NO!
• Did this method serve a purpose? Yes
• Are there better solutions now that we have grown as a society and species? YES!
• Whoa whoa whoa.... What do you mean its NOT harmless!? ALL animals who make contact with humans get "neutered" and they're just fine! 
• Are they???
• NO. They're NOT just fine. You've been lied to. How do I know??? RESEARCH. I highly recommend it to people who have opinions and open their mouths!
• According to Vetbook.org

Testosterone
Testosterone is an androgenic hormone produced by the testis, ovary and in small amounts by the adrenal gland.

As well as being responsible for male secondary sexual development on reproductive organs, testosterone also is responsible for positive bone, skin and cardiovascular effects[1]
Low testosterone levels in male dogs is commonly observed in neuters, hypothyroidism, hormone-responsive dermatoses, Sertoli cell tumors and with exogenous use of deslorelin[15]. http://www.vetbook.org/wiki/dog/index.php?title=Testosterone 

• And according to... A BUNCH of researchers! found HERE there are obvious, no-brainer side effects of neutering animals. Most of the "things" you take your pet to the vet for, are caused by 1) Low immunity caused by vaccinations, and 2) lack of hormone interactions thru out the body from neutering. 
• 1 + 1 people....! 1 + 1. (That means, THE MATH IS SIMPLE! ADD IT UP!) 
• And just for the record, 3) "things" you take your pet to the vet for, would be BAD FOOD.
• So how do you control feral cat population??? 
• Get them into their natural environments and let nature handle population control.
• If you allow it to, nature will always balance itself out!
• Spaying and neutering is only a temporary solution to an exploding situation - all at the hands of ignorant or selfish humans.
• You have to find a better way! Do NOT stop seeking better solutions! Do NOT stop at the last best practice, keep improving on it. And do NOT continue to believe that this is all we got!!! Do not continue to believe that humans will never change. Believe in YOU. And YOU be the change. Blaze that trail! Stand your ground. LOVE!

There are so many bleeding fucking hearts out there that are convinced that they love animals so so so much! But they don't and I'm calling them out! If they loved animals so much they would search high and low for truth. They would study different animal's cultures and protocols and assist them, not tear apart their families and communities to force them into health challenges and homes that they do NOT want to live in.
"Animals have feelings!" How many "pet-lovers" say that!? Well then how do you think they feel when they're torn from their natural world where everyone speaks their language, and everyone follows the same social order, and they are unrestrained, free and happier than HUMANS will accept that they are, and forced into slavery because that's what YOU think should happen!?

The instances of humans getting disease from cats, being attacked by cats, birds disappearing because of cats.... Well YOU google it and see what you come up with.
What I've come up with is a bunch of fear-mongering con artists who are making money off of YOUR ignorance and unwillingness to find the truth and stand up for it by NOT following along with the crowd any more!
YES it's hard to do that! But remember, YOU're the bleeding heart that LOVES ANIMALS so much!!!!
I do NOT vaccinate.
I do NOT medicate.
I HAVE had all my pet cats neutered because of the smell of their spray indoors.
Even I have grown and learned that I would do all I could to NOT do that again. Indoor-Outdoor is the way to go.
OF COURSE I would not put my current house cat outside just because I have evolved!!!
He has never lived outside. He was born to a stray mom in someone's garage. He really is very content to live indoors and spend time on the balcony teasing birds and flirting with his "squirrel friend". He's so domesticated he's practically a dog...! LOL

The point is, I see that! I'm aware! I know the difference between someone who needs my assistance and someone whom I've been trained to feel sorrow for but really is just fine and wants to be left alone.

Grow.
Evolve.
Stop trying to bail the ocean with a bucket.
Wake up.
Wise up.

The science behind why feral cats are safe members of our communities

Feral Cats: A Love/Hate Relationship

The Other Side of the Story - PETA is Full of Shit!!!

Shelter & Rescue Staff & Volunteers Change Your Ways!

Change your perspective on what you're doing.... On what you've always done.....
It's backward.
Your perspective is backward.

Animal shelters are FILLED with heartbreak and sadness!!!
This is done in ignorance to indulge human self pity, and on purpose to guilt people into adopting animals!

Energy Energy Energy people!!!
It's all about the energy!
And sadness, guilt, and pity are HORRIBLE energies.

Different perspective:  Why not "begin the change" in the animal's life the MOMENT you meet them?
Greet them with respect and joy.
Be happy to have them!
If you as a shelter volunteer or staff member project the "BURDENS" of another mouth to feed, and the disgust and disdain for human beings who are cruel and stupid........ The animal feels that!
MUCH stronger and more profoundly than humans do. You can lie to humans! You can't lie to an animal for very long and get away with it.

Greet them with RESPECT.
Greet them with JOY.
Welcome them as family, like you are thrilled and honored to have their company!

FORGET THE PAST!!!! Understand it, respect it, then MOVE THE FUCK ON!!!
Animals don't carry emotional shit the way humans do.
Yes, sometimes their scars are deep.
But usually it is HUMANS who project HUMAN emotions onto animals because of their own self loathing, that they probably are not even aware of.

Change your perspective.
Stop the sadness.
Welcome them "home"!
Attract good energy by being filled with good energy, spreading good energy, accepting good energy.

Throw away your damn rule book!
Learn to love again!
Love comes from the heart - not from education, or licenses or certificates or diplomas..... And sure as HELL not from money!

Love them.
It's that simple.
Pity is not love. It confuses them!!! They don't understand why the energy in the room, in the facility, coming from YOU, won't go away! They are so filled with love and forgiveness, and so able to move on - If YOU do.

Change your perspective.
Put the horse in front of the cart.....
Stop struggling.
Stop infecting the entire rescue movement with sadness and pity!
You should be ashamed!
You won't let them be happy!

Fix that!

My Thoughts About Vaccinations

I do not discriminate. If your pet is not current on their vaccinations for whatever reason...
If you have made a conscientous choice to NOT vaccinate your pet...
If you haven't had time to go to the vet...
If you haven't had money to go to the vet...
It makes no difference to me.

What does make a difference is that your pet is in obvious good care. I am not a vet! I do not diagnose or treat illness! But I have worked with animals long enough that I can usually recognize when a pet is too ill, or is contagious, and should receive other care before I advise you.

Corporate salons such as Petco and Petsmart require at least a rabies vaccine before they will make an appointment, as well as some private salons. I'm sure most trainers have the same policy.

Honestly, I have done my own research and don't really like vaccinations period. But YOU must do your own due diligence, your own research, and follow your own heart about such matters. Just because I'm convinced doesn't mean I'm right by anyone's standard but my own.

I feel very strongly that the entire veterinary industry is about fear, misinformation, manipulation, and control in order to harvest money.
Even the bleeding-heart, animal-loving, raised-on-the-farm kids who made it thru vet school in order to "make a difference" have come out of the system completely brainwashed. They sincerely believe all the shit they tell you.

But I don't buy into the system.... Not any of it. I don't understand going blindly thru life accepting everything you're told. The fact that students never question or stand up to information that doesn't feel right causes me to lose faith in them right out of the gate.
If one is "gifted" then they have instincts, intuition, an inner knowing that is beyond any book learning.
This describes me more than it does any vet I've ever met.

Look at dogs today compared to when some of us were kids. They all suffer from human diseases now! That NEVER happened until they started mandatory, mass vaccinations and neutering!

These solutions were meant to get humanity to higher understanding, but instead it became a for-profit industry that has a guaranteed success rate due to stacking the deck.
Industry owns all the scientist who write the text books and peer reviewed journals, and do all the research that is published, and make the meds and, "funds" the schools.... They own the pet industry. They guarantee you'll always need them!

Don't you find this suspicious???????

​I think for myself, do my own research, and I don't play into antiquated fears based on a herd mentality! I encourage you to do the same. Again, this is why I do what I do, the way that I do it.

But you must be responsible for your own choices, in all things, including your animals!

Pet Issues - Philosophy On Animal Behavior

My name is Keris Eure and I've worked in the pet grooming business for over 15 years.

I've worked at "Mom & Pop" salons, corporate salons, volunteered for rescues, owned and managed my own salon, and write a blog about animal concerns. I am a naturalist, meaning that I much prefer to do things in a natural way, working with nature the way it was created to be and has naturally evolved rather than fabricated, synthetic means.

Animals have their own form of intelligent, structured communication and social protocol. Dogs are the most domesticated animal on Earth and we as humans have taken much for granted in recent generations and have lost the essence of their true nature. This has resulted in profuse misunderstanding of dogs as pets.

Ive spent my entire career dealing with simple ignorance... People just don't understand WHY Fluffy or Spot acts the way they do....
They believe that animals are SUPPOSED to hate the groomer or the vet or nail clipping... and this just isn't so!
So I decided it was time to offer the specific service of Intervention Education!
I help assess your pet's issues and help you, and the animal, understand what's really going on.
I try to offer you solutions to make life better, happier, and more effective for us all.
I offer and assist you with many techniques including calming energy techniques and Pet Massage as simple, often times magical solutions to almost every pet issue!

It breaks my heart to see so many dogs labeled as "bad" or "mean" or "difficult" when they are simply misunderstood, much like if you were in a foreign country and did not speak the language of everybody around you. And when you did try to communicate or behave instinctively, or see your own kind and attempted to communicate with them you were scolded and separated.

I feel that it is our human rite and privilege to be responsible for these beautiful creatures.
This means it is also our responsibility to educate ourselves. Natural evolution would demand of us to consider understanding rather than resist and destroy what we cannot understand and control.

Dogs are very intelligent. They have feelings and thoughts and are emotional just as all living beings are, but that does not mean that these characteristics function the same way as our human characteristics do. Animals have so much to teach us about ourselves! But we cannot learn if we refuse to open our hearts and minds to understanding them as unique beings. And this is the approach I use to help people deal with their "animal issues".

​Dogs are not always foo foo and tail wagging when they communicate with each other. This does not mean that they are behaving badly.

So what does it mean?

A wise person will take the time to find out... to realize that it does mean something... take the time to grow and expand their own consciousness.... take time to be genuinely responsible for the life of an animal that is completely dependant upon them for.... everything.
This dependency was created by us, by human beings. We are responsible.

Most often, the problems we have with our pets are directly connected to something in us - something about our patterns or behaviors.... something in our own psyche that is only noticeable in the way we deal with our dogs. Or in the way our dogs deal with us.
A lot of people do not want to go that deep into their pet's behavior! It's too scary to examine ourselves!

But ultimately, I feel that this is the dog's greatest gift to humanity, to reflect back our own self as no other creature can. This is the true story behind their title of "Man's Best Friend". No other animal in any part of our known history is like the dog. After a while, they even start to look like us!

My personal philosophy is that as the higher, more evolved being, I should take it upon myself to understand my animal companion's language and social protocol, and do all that I can to complement her life, rather than constantly struggle to force her to be something she is not. Dogs are by nature loving, caring and family oriented. Why not acknowledge that and use it as a bridge to greater understanding so that their life and ours can be knit together in a very functional, fulfilling relationship?

​True love is not filled with pity. Animals do not pity one another.

If we become proactive and educated about the animal community rather than pitying or feeling sorry for all the ignorance and abuse... We become much more effective at home, in the community and the world.​

Can you imagine ENJOYING your dog rather than just "coping" with him!?

This is what I do.
Help you understand your dog.
This is what Pet Groomer 911 is all about.
​It's not a game of baby talk. Dogs don't do that.
"Positive Reinforcement" is often misunderstood and mis-used.
Dogs growl, bite, scratch, rip and tear.....
Dogs communicate differently.
Dogs only act aggressively under very specific circumstances. There are different types of "aggressive" behavior. And if they feel the need to be aggressive, baby talk may not be the right answer to give them.

As Cesar Millan so beautifully puts it, "be calm and assertive".
There is a huge difference between "calm" and "passive", between "assertive" and "aggressive",.

I nor anyone I may ever work with enters into combat with animals. That leads to abuse. That is what we want to change, thru education and understanding.

Choke chains, pinch collars, shock collars...... None of these are real solutions.

Grooming so many different dogs with so many different backgrounds has taught me a lot! So many dogs that used to be sedated for grooming or muzzled or turned away.... are completely different dogs now because I took the time to understand them, listen to them and reassure them that all people are not deaf to their language.

I always reserve the right to refuse service. I know when a dog or other animal's situation is beyond me! I will not endanger myself or an animal or anyone working with me. I DO NOT reinforce aggression or other undesirable behaviors. If I know I can't do it right, I prefer not to do it at all.

No nonsense.
Results.
Genuine, heart-felt help.
PG911.