“If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Harry S. Truman

Recently I had the opportunity to visit one of Washington, DC’s many museums – The Newseum.  The Newseum is an interactive museum of the news and the evolution of mass media.  I have to say it was pretty fun.  Of course one of my favorite exhibits was exhibit First Dogs:  American Presidents and Their Pets. The exhibit showcased some of the dogs that the Presidents have owned and lived in the White House.

Here are some pictures from the exhibit:

President Obama and daughters with "Bo" the Portuguese Water Dog (PWD)

 

President Bush with "Spot" an English Springer Spaniel

President Clinton with "Buddy" a Labrador Retriever

President Reagan with "Rex" a King Charles Spaniel

President Ford and "Liberty" a Golden Retriever

President Nixon with "Checkers" a Cocker Spaniel

President Kennedy with Clipper, Charlie, Wolf, and Shannon

There are photographs of over 20 Presidents and their dogs are on display.  Check out this exhibit and other fun and interactive exhibits at the Newseum; its worth a visit.

The Hair of the Dog that Bit You

Just for Fun:

 

 

The Hair of the Dog that Bit You – Have you heard this saying  before?  What does this mean?  Where did it come from?  You usually hear this in reference to curing a hangover.  Well, from my research, it seems that it comes from the philosophy that like cures like.  The best cure for something that makes you sick is to have some more of it.  So if you have a hangover form drinking too much, you should drink more of what you drank.  Note:  Do not try this. In ancient times, it was believed that you should put hair from the dog that bit you on the wound to help heal it.  Some explanations said that it was specifically a rabid dog.  Note:  If you are bitten, do not try this either.

As a dog groomer, I like to hear jokes about dogs and hair of course.  Here’s two that gave me an agreeing nod and a chuckle:

• Cats are the ultimate narcissists. You can tell this because of all the time they spend on personal grooming. Dogs aren’t like this. A dog’s idea of personal grooming is to roll on a dead fish.” – James Gorman
• You know your a groomer when: You see a good looking guy walking a dog in the park and you are checking out the dog’s haircut.

Interview w/ Kevyn Mathews – The Dog Chef

I recently got a chance to speak with Kevyn Mathews – Owner and Executive Chef of The Dog Chef.  I always say I wouldn’t give my dog anything that I wouldn’t eat myself.  Would you eat or even taste the food you give your dog now?  Let me tell you – This food looks and tastes great – really!  Kevyn has a culinary background which he has used to beautifully craft healthy, tasty and fresh dog meals and treats.   Want to treat your pup or improve his health through nutrition?  You can contact Kevyn at:   www.thedogchef.net His meals and treats are also sold at Whole Foods Market on P Street NW Washington, DC.

Listen to Interview w/Kevyn Mathews – The Dog Chef:

Holiday Shopping for a Cause

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving Holiday.  One of things that I am thankful for is of course my dog Mervis!  I love him.  We recently went on a dogcation to Deep Creek Lake, MD.  It was a relaxing trip and I had my first snow of the season.

Isn't he cute?!

Deep Creek Lake

While I was relaxing in my cozy cabin with my doggie, I couldn’t help but think of all the crowds at the malls on the infamous day after Thanksgiving.  I think it would be great if we could spend on some homeless animals in need this holiday season.  Many organizations and animal shelters are look items such as food, toys, beds, etc in addition to monetary donations to take care of the animals and help them get adopted.  I adopted my dog from The Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL). WARL recused my dog from a rural area in Georgia and brought him to their facility in DC.  They also gave him the medical care that he needed. Without WARL Mervis wouldn’t have gotten a second chance at a good life nor I a great dog!  Organizations like WARL need donations to be able to continue this great work.  Also, are you looking for that new addition to your family.  Local shelters have great dogs that would make great pets.  Before you adopt, the shelters give necessary medical attention and a temperament test to make sure they will be a good fit for you and your family.  Other local organizations that would welcome donations or adopt a dog or cat are:

The Washington Humane Society

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Homeward Trails

Montgomery County Humane Society

Prince Georges County SPCA/Humane Society

You can also google your local animal shelter in your community.

Happy Giving!!!

My First Dog Show

 

Yes, that’s right-I went to my first Dog Show last weekend at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD.  I had only seen the famous Westminster Dog Show on TV and watched some on Animal Planet.  I recently met poodle breeder Mary Watson of  Amid Air Poodles in Fulton, MD.  Mary was so kind to accompany me to the show and show me the ins and outs of the dog show.  For Dog Groomers, going to dog shows is a great way to see how different dog breeds are suppose to look-grooming at it’s best.  Check out a few pictures…

 

prep area for dogs

poodles getting groomed before entering the ring

showtime!

ok ok ok- last poodle i promise. hey, i was with a poodle breeder remember-lol

a miniature schnauzer waiting his turn

see, no more poodles

german shorthair pointers

i couldn't resist this great dane-magnificent!

"winner's circle" - winners get their picture taken here

 

 

Getting Pupscale Grooming Spa Social Media Ready for Fall

Hi Everybody!

It’s the second day of Autumn. I am working with my social media coach Ananda Leeke to get Pupscale Grooming Spa social media sites ready for the fall season.  We are hooking up my Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Cinchcast, and Hootsuite accounts so I can have a social media party with you all in the coming months!  Stay tuned for more news in the coming weeks and months!

Grooming 101 – Part 2 Tools of the Trade

Ok so your ready to take the plunge and start brushing your dog at home.  Great!  Now lets make sure you have the proper tools to do so.

Hair Type – Smooth Coated or Short Coated

Breeds – Pointer, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Basenji, Greyhound, Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Dalmatian, French Bull Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Coonhound, Foxhound, Bullmastiff, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Pug, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, Smooth Fox Terrier

Tools -

The Furminator – de-shedding tool to remove loose hair (comes in small, medium, or large)

Curry/Rubber Brush – use to remove dead hair, massage skin

Hair Type – Combination Coated, Double Coated, or Heavy Coated

Breed – Brittany, Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever American Water Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Kuvasz, Borzoi, Tibetan Spaniel, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian SHepherd, Siberian Husky, Norwegian Elkhound, German Shepherd, Smooth Coated Collie, Cardigan Welsh & Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Finnish Spitz, Shiba Inu, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Rough Coated Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, American Eskimo, Chow Chow, Keeshond, Pomeranian

Tools -

The V Rake – removes mats, removes undercoat on thick coats

Heavy Duty Rake – breaks up mats and tangles, pulls out undercoat while protecting the outer coat ( comes in different sizes)

Hair Type – Silky Coated, Natural Log Hair, or Curly or Wavy Coated

Breed – Cocker Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Bearded Collie, Briard, Old English Sheepdog, Skye Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, Havanese, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bedlington, Portuguese Water Dog, Bichon Frise, Poodle, Bouvier des Flandres

Tools

Slicker Brush – remove mats, debri and loose hair

Flexible Slicker Brush – flexible handle for less stress on hand and wrists

Greyhound Comb – fluffing, detangling, & removing dead hair; great to use to “check” for mats & tangles after brushing-if the comb does not glide through easily go over with brush again