I have almost started to get used to this, and I don’t want to because it is unacceptable. What I’m talking about is the neglect I see all the time at work. I was looking at the pictures today and imagined looking at them from the eyes of someone who doesn’t see this all the time, and you know what? It’s disgusting. I mean, I know it is disgusting, but I’ve started to get desensitized to it. And I don’t want to be. I want to remember the shock I first had when I started to see this, when I started grooming at the vet clinic.
One thing that still gets under my skin is the sob stories people give me. I’m getting sick of them. If you have been sick and your husband was laid off, then I am very sorry for you, but you need to find another home for your dog if you can’t take care of it. There is no excuse for this.
And the lies!
Yes, I’m very sure you tried your best to bathe the dog at home and yes, bathing her probably caused these mats I see all over her. Yes, you were trying very hard to take good care of her, and that is why I have to wear a surgical mask in order to be in the same room with her without vomiting.
Do people think I’m stupid? Obviously.
And no, I am not able to make a skirt out of the cast on your dog’s legs.
And no, I will not give you a discount because you want me to feel sorry for you after you neglect your dog for an entire year. I would discount you if you were a regular customer who took proper care of her dog.
(I didn’t exactly discount, but I did not charge extra, so yeah, I did kind of discount. I did the same thing last year, when she came in in this same condition. I don’t know why. I just felt sorry for the dog.)
And I’m mad at myself for not saying any of this to the dog owner. Instead I just play dumb and nod and say “okay” and tell her I will do my best and that I will definitely have to shave the dog, and yes, of course I know she will start brushing her and she will not get into this condition again. Same as last year.
Anyway, this is not the first and not even the 20th dog this year that has come in this matted, but I think she may win the award for the stinkiest. She smelled like vomit, after it had been standing in a puddle in the hot sun for a few days. With a dead rat soaking in it.
Anyway, I took some pictures for you. Well, I take pictures of many of these just to document them. Just in case, I have no idea, but I think it is a good idea. I have plenty more, but this one shows up pretty good in the pictures. I mean, you can’t smell it, but you almost can if you really try.
The second to last photo, which is hard to make out, is me holding up her foot so you are looking at the bottom of her foot. Her entire paw pad was covered in a big mat. She’s been walking on this for months. Underneath it the overgrown toenails were also matted over.
The worst thing is that this dog is 15 years old. So this has been going on her entire life! The only time she has ever been comfortable was in the two or three months after her groom before the mats and stinkiness completely took over. Also, this is an indoor dog! I cannot even fathom that.
Oh, wait, the even worse than worst thing is that the lady told me that she babysits out of her home. She babysits out of her home! No shit!
How do people live with themselves?
Now I need a stiff drink.
There’s not a lot of things that bring a tear to my eyes, but the sight of that poor old girl in that condition leaves me with that lump in my throat.
I have far more respect for the people who say, “I am too busy with my life to have a pet” as they are honest. Fair enough, not all of us have the time, energy or the finances for a pet.
Oh hell, I could go on and on about this. I love my furbabies. They give me so much joy in my life. To neglect a pet, to me, is like child abuse. These beautiful creatures do not ask for much; how could anyone do that to a pet?
That’s awful.
I remember we all would brush our dog. I remember giving it a hair cut. (Pre teen)
It didn’t take that much effort to set aside the time.
Oh, how very sad and how hard to deal with! I guess I am glad after all that I did not get into this business after I considered it because I don’t know if I could handle seeing stuff like that. And these are the ones that bring their dog to be groomed so I can only imagine about the people who never even bother. Neglect is such a nasty form of abuse. Thank goodness these pets have you is all I can say.
You know how I feel about pets so needless to say…stuff like that makes me sick.
Aw, and she is such a beautiful dog. In some ways animal cruelty makes me so mad because they can’t tell us how they feel
Birdy,
That is sickening. Poor old thing.
Love to you,
SB
I could hardly look at those pics. Such a cutie too. How sad this is. Poor pup. At least she had a little love for a while while she was with you.
I look at your avatar and I see you , sitting there patiently, dealing with the stink and filth of selfish, stupid, and abusive liars while trying to give these beautiful creatures a better life… for a while.
Bless you, Laura.
I’ve seen absolutely horrible cases of neglect on Animal Planet. It makes me cry for the suffering pets. That last photo is a tribute to your kindness and skill. That puppy looks so proud and grateful!
There will always be idiots that mistreat their pets. Thank heaven there are people like you who can help make a difference … even if it’s only temporary.
Bless your heart!
xoxo
Sue
Oh the poor old girl. There’s no excuse for letting her get in that condition. You did a beautiful job with her though.
That is so, so sad.
I have heard my vet chew people out for their stupidity time and time again and I laugh to myself. If you can’t properly take care of the animal, you shouldn’t have it. Also, I would NEVER take my child to someone’s house that has an animal like that – let alone leave my child there to be babysat. Scary.
This is the kind of shit that boils up murderous rage in me. I don’t know how you can deal with these people without losing it. I wish it were legal to take the dog away in those situations.
I just gave my collie/spaniel mix a haircut. It’s not the prettiest thing (actually I think it’s kind of cute) and kind of choppy, but I do what I can to keep him mat-free. Brushing and washing of course too. I’m not even sure how old he is, at least 15, and he had a stroke a year ago but he’s still truckin’. I couldn’t fathom making him suffer like that, especially with how old he is!
PS, his after picture is so heartwarming! Great job!
oh that’s just horrible.
I don’t think I’d want to get used to that either.
People can be such arsehats. Why have a pet if you aren’t going to look after it!
can I have about 5 minutes alone with that woman in a room? Seriously! That is gross and just no reason for it!
It’s amazing what people can learn to live with.
My next door neighbor (at our old house)…sweetest lady in the world. She ran a YMCA. She also kept three cats in the house. Seriously, I couldn’t stay in the house more than a few minutes at a time without the ammonia from the cat urine making my eyes water. Un-friggin-believable!
That must be one of the toughest part of your job. Worse than biting dogs. I appreciate you taking the time out to try to educate people on your blog about this. You actually do a wonderful job. One of my good friends is a dog groomer, so I have heard several stories. But to take the time out to educate people truly is a wonderful and honorable service. Keep up the good work!
Aww, the poor old girl.