Being a groomer, I have one by product for which I would LOVE to find a use. Dog Hair! We produce dog hair in massive quantities but try as I may, I have not been able to come up with any use for it. I know of at least one groomer who spins it and then knits purses and felts them but I don't spin or knit.
You would think that dog hair would have some value. It comes in an amazing array of colors and textures. It must have some insulating value or dogs wouldn't grow it. It can be soft or spikey, black, blue, white or red, curley or straight. It's all natural and 100% organic.
I have been wracking my brain for years trying some way to recycle it so I decided to throw it out here for my readers. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on what it might be good for? Could you use it to stuff pillows, dog beds, toys? Have you used it to knit, crochet?
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
What Can You Do With Dog Hair?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tales of Picture Day at Happy Tails
Picture day was a blast! It was a long day but what fun!! They got some really good pictures of all the dogs and some great ones of some of them.
The photographers got there about 11 o'clock to set up. Julia graciously offered her dining room for them to use and they took about 45 minutes getting set up and ready. Then the fun began. I don't know if any of you have met Julia's little white dog. She came from Southside SPCA and is older and very cranky. She doesn't like strangers. Well, let me rephrase that... she doesn't like anyone but Julia and she attacks like she was a policedog on duty.
To give us credit, we warned the photograhers. We did. We told them that she would bite. Julia held her in the first couple picture and she did fine. Then Mark wanted to try a few of her by herself. They put a big bean bag down and Julia made her comfortable. They snapped a few and decided to do some valentines shots.
They went well too until the Mark went to move the roses and Dixie very politely reached over and bit at his hand. He laughed it off and said that if she had really wanted to bite him, she would have. Uh huh... those of us who know Dixie well, won't go in the house unless Julia is holding her. Believe me, she wanted to bite him, she is just getting a bit older and slower.
They took a few more shots with Mark keeping his hands well away from her. Then Dixie decided she was bored with the whole affair. She jumped off the beanbag and went right after Marks ankle with Julia was trying to grab her. Mark was very brave and Dixie didn't even rip his pants leg off although it sounded a lot like she was. What a way to start the day!
We promised them that the rest would be easier. Then it was my turn. You would think that sweet loving Cavaliers would be a joy to photograph. Not! With four of them, it was almost impossible to get all of them still at once unless they were all licking my face. We would get 3 looking perfectly angelic and the 4th would be jumping down. They perservered and I think they got some great shots but they had to work for them.
After Julia and I had them all broken in, the rest of the day was easy. The dogs were well behaved and they even got some shots of a couple of the dogs with a leather jacket on. Look out James Dean!
We get to see the pictures on February 1st. I can't wait! I am as excited to see everyone else's as I am to see my own. I think we will do this again in the fall for Christmas pictures.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Teacher Tuesdays
Beginning on January 14th, 2008, I will be opening Happy Tails at 7 am on Tuesdays to accomodate the teachers and others who need to drop their pets off before our normal 8 am hours. Evening appointments are also available on an as needed basis and by appointment only. As always, we are open on Saturdays from 8 to 2 pm.
Samples of People and Pets Photography
Superior Photography emailed me some samples of their photography. They said they will do just pets, or just people or people and pets. Choice is yours and they will do a selection of all of it. I also found out that the 10x13 portrait was an error on their part but they are going to honor it. Next time it will be an 8 x10 so take advantage today! They are sending me a sample portrait so that you can see what you are getting. I can't wait!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Picture Day at Happy Tails
Superior Photography will be at Happy Tails Pet Grooming on Monday, January 21, 2008 from Noon til 8pm to take pictures of people and their pets. Advanced appointments are required. Stop by to purchase your certificate today. Certificate is $15 and includes the sitting fee and a 10x13 print.
Your pictures can include as many pets and people as you like. Come join the fun!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Happy Tails Winter 2008 Newsletter
Where Tails Wag and People BragCharlotte Court House, VA 23923
434-542-9400
Happy New Years from Happy Tails Pet Grooming!
I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your business in 2007. Happy Tails has seen some changes with new ownership and expanded hours. With the change from part time hours to full time hours, we have been able to service more customers and hope to add more services in the future. In celebration of the New Year, I am offering a $5 referral discount. Refer a friend and when they have their dog or cat groomed at Happy Tails, you will receive $5 off your next full groom.
Julia attended the GroomExpo show in Hershey, PA with Maggie. The world's largest pet care educational seminar and trade show, produced by Barkleigh Productions, Inc., brought 3813 pet care professionals from 45 state and as far away as Brazil, Hong Kong, Australia and Germany. They arrived ready to take in seminars covering topics of grooming, animal behavior, retail, mobile and more; a trade show featuring 176 booths; and multiple grooming contests.
Contest participation was up this year, with 136 entries. Lambert Kay Sporting Breeds Tournament, Gibson-Governor Terrier Tournament, Tropiclean Mixed and Other Purebreds Tournament, Andis Poodle Tournament, Nature's Specialties Winners Circle and Barkleigh
Creative Styling Contest were the contests taking place over the weekend.
Extended Days and Hours
New owner, Cindy Smith opens the shop full time with appointments available Monday – Saturday. Expanded hours means that we almost always have appointments available and are currently accepting new clients.
We had our fall training class during October and November. As you can see, it was predominantly poodles with a bulldog thrown in for comic relief and a cat provided the distraction. The class went over and practiced walking on the leash, sit, sit stay, lay down and stay, and come when called, all of which were much easier when Murgle the cat was not taunting the dogs by wandering through them, waving his tail and as much as saying “Nah, nah, nah, you can’t get me. “ All the participants received a certificate at graduation.
