Well imagine my surprise to find so many new animal lovers among us this morning. To answer all these groomers now posting (imagine that!) My original post was a warning against a "cage" with a dryer blasting into it and onto our pets, not about people. I have been working one way or another for over 40 years, as part owner of a boarding kennel where we bred, groomed and showed Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers and Old Enghlish Sheep Dogs. Quite a variety, in size especially. I was affiliated with The American School of Dog Grooming in Chicago many years ago. I realize that not all grommers are heartless quacks but if you are honest you will agree that they exist and that the problem has gotten worse with anyone who can afford to open a shop, with little or no training saying they are groomers. I would think that all you reputable groomers would be fighting to have your industry scrutinized rather than trying to have petitions signed against it. Its the incompetent, so called groomers out there that give all groomers a bad name. I know and am friends with many groomers here in Nevada as in Chicago and also in Maryland when living there and they are all a credit to their profession, as I'm sure you groomers that have taken the time to post here must be. I never generalize that all of anything is bad or good. There is bad and good in everything but as an animal owner, lover, foster care giver and activist I have and still see the end results of what a bad groomer can cause. I refuse to argue the finer points of bathing, spayting, neutering and what have you, as I stated "ask your vet." I was the one however that brought the Furminator to the attention of the forum and swear by it. I also use a good lanolin based shampoo to groom my own dogs but use baby shampoo around their faces. Oh and by the way I've groomed numerous Sheep Dogs and dried them with a stationary dryer on the table and a hand dryer and they did just fine. It does take longer but the end results are worth the effort. Since having developed arthritis in my hands I have my dogs groomed by a wonderful woman who comes to my home to do my dogs. I am not against groomers, not at all, I am a groomer or was. I am simply alerting my friends here what to watch out for to safeguard their animals. That is after all the important thing is it not? I'm sure now that you are all here posting you will take on that responsibility and that your expertise will be greatly appreciated. Barkus I just read the Last Groom and am not ashamed to admit I am crying like a baby. I have seen so much pain, fear and death of sweet helpless little creatures that I am quick to defend them and speak out against what I deem might be hurtful to them. My own two 14 year old Maltese angels, Daisy and Twekee had cancer and had to be put down 8 months apart, that was 9 years ago and I still can't think of them without falling apart. I've lost them, a doberman and german shepherd, numerous cats and it never gets any easier. They are all so precious and the fact that they have to suffer in anyway is the one thing that challenges my faith in God at times. Please forgive me if you feel you or your occupations were demeaned. I never meant to be judgemental of all groomers but I still caution against those drying cages, an animal should not be deposited into one (hot or not) and left unattended. By the way, welcome to the BWS forum,I hope you'll stick around.

[ June 15, 2006, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]