Its Been A While But Here's The Update!

Well, it's now February 2011 and I thought I would get back to my blog. Firstly, I passed both my City & Guilds exams (Level 2 and 3). I passed with Distinctions and achieved Distinctions in all my college assignments.

I now run my own Dog Grooming Service called Muttsmakeovers and am fully registered and insured. I started professionally last July 2010 and my business is growing steadily, considering it has not been that long I have been constantly busy.

I have my own website www.muttsmakeovers.co.uk and can also be found on Facebook.

I would like to thank some special people who have helped me make my dream come true, firstly my wonderful Hubbie for his continuing support and advice as without this, I would not have even made the decision to Go For It!, secondly my beautiful Daughter Sarah who has always offered her support and help with marketing ideas, assists with the pooches and gives her opinions on the finished models! and also to my Mum who financially has made this happen for me, and to those friends who have recommended my services to others, especially Michelle and Paul, Colin and Wendy, Ria and Debs, Lesley and Christine.

So I am finally doing what I love to do. Often I have to smile to myself as although it wont make me a millionaire and it can be very hard and tiring, not many people have a job doing what they love and want to do, so I consider myself very fortunate.

So I would like to start using this Blog to highlight some of my lovely Mutts - so watch this space!

Back to College at How Old!

My first day at College, Tuesday 22nd September 2009.

It felt a little strange to be going back to school at my age but you know what they say - you are never too old!

Anyway, arrived far too early. Waited in car and noticed another older lady doing the same. Anyway, 9.00 am arrived and the students descended on the Dog Grooming Parlour. Needless to say all were 18 and 19 year olds, a 16 year old, me and the other older lady whose name is Denise.

The day was taken up with loads of form filling, ID badges being issued, being shown around the main college etc.

In the afternoon we had introductions and talked about what the next week would be.

I was a little relieved to find another older person in the group although I have to say the younger ladies were very friendly and didn't make us oldies feel out of place and quite right to!

29th September 2009

College day. Today after arriving we were hurdled towards a room where we had to take a Basic Skills Test (Mmmm.....) maths never being my strong point and I have to say didn't do very well (cough, cough) was one of the tests. The English test was a breeze.

This led up to lunch. Time to interact with the girls and we were having quite a laugh.

After lunch we had to split into pairs and did a bit of dog handling. We had to carry out basic health checks, ears, eyes and nails. Now the one area I am less confident on is the one of nails. Our Tutor, Jane, knowing this being a major issue for me, decides to show how it is done and then I have to have a go!

My partner, Kylie, and I carried out our checks on Ben, an English Springer and Susie a black and white Jack Russell. I clipped a couple of nails and then helped Kylie as she didn't like doing the nails at all.

After this, we headed over to another site where we had more theory to do covering Health & Safety, COSHH, RIDDOR and Insurance. With homework assigned this ended the 2nd week.

Bailey

SEPTEMBER 2009

Welcome to Bailey an adorable Cocker Spaniel puppy who was my first puppy trim.

Bailey is 4 months old and my neighbour wanted him bathed and trimmed and I also did a little pet sitting for him too.

I asked my neighbour how she would like Bailey trimmed and basically she asked for a little of his coat (but not too much) and she felt his feet needed seeing to the most.

My neighbours also asked whether we could look after Bailey whilst they attended a wedding and it didn't take too much to oblige (I did offer a few weeks earlier, to be fair).

He got on very well with our dogs Rolo and Barney and had a great time, especially chasing Barney round (all day!). I think Barney met his match at last.

Anyway, later in the day after Bailey had calmed down from all the excitement, I decided to start his mini grooming session. I cleaned his ears and eyes and just thinned out his coat a little. His tail really didn't need much attention. I then set to trimming his feet which were really fluffy. It was funny because once his feet were done they actually looked even bigger (how odd).

We then gave him a bath (my daughter Sarah just couldn't resist lending a hand). I used a coconut shampoo and herbal conditioner.

He was then finished off with the hand dryer and sprayed with a finishing spray. I think he enjoyed the experience and I hope his next visit is just as joyful for him. I certainly enjoyed trimming my first puppy.

Wash Day for Jessie

I called my dear old Mum today who has just returned from a week in Germany and she said that Jessie was rather smelly! Apparently Jessie had been having a whale of time being taken out for walks and being allowed to go for dips in ponds!

My Mum struggles now to bend over the bath so I said I would go over and give Jessie the once over.

Before I bathed Jessie, I made sure she was properly brushed out and that there were no mats or tangles - she had some but not many.

I didn't fully groom Jessie today as this will be done in another 3/4 weeks time - my first real go at clipping Jessie.

I then popped her in the bath and gave her a lovely wash with Coconut Shampoo (I purchase my supplies from a company who supply healthy products and cater for a wide range of coats and skin conditions - Only the Best Will Do!

I then used a herbal conditioner, rinsed and then onto the drying process.

This took a while as for now I do not have a proper dog dryer and have to make do with using my own hand held hairdryer. Nevertheless, the job was completed and she looked and smelled absolutely lovely. Her coat was rather shiny too. Mum was very pleased. I think a job well done and doesn't she look quite the Little Lady!

Home Study Diploma Result!

August 2009

I Finally completed my home study course and received my Diploma which I passed with DISTINCTION. My result was 91%.

It's now off to college in September to acquire my Level 2 City & Guilds. I guess what I have learned at home will assist me at college and hopefully I will get much more hands on experience.

I hope to take more courses to at least gain the qualifications I need and these are all steps Towards My Dream.

Home Study Diploma/Writte College

I completed my final module yesterday (14th August 2009) of my home study diploma course. I decided that I did not want to include a grooming module for cats as I want to concentrate more on the dog grooming side. I am now waiting for my overall course grade........(Watch this space).

I start my City & Guilds Level 2 course at Writtle College in September (22nd) which is only for 1 day a week but I am quite excited, imagine a student at 50!

Next Saturday 22nd August I will start to look at starting a web site and business area where I can start to pull together all the things that will get me closer to my dream. Updates to follow.

Diploma Study

Today, Friday 3rd June, I sat my exam for Module 5 of my home study Dog Grooming course and got 92%!

Have 2 more modules to go now but then in September it's off to Writte College for 1 day a week to obtain my City & Guilds Level 2 in Dog Grooming - Onwards & Upwards