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

Happy Pooches!

Last Friday (a little late with my blog!) 26th June I spent some time over at the Animal Sanctuary, just giving the in-mates a quick once over. Basically, at this stage they have their eyes and ears cleaned, coats brushed and their nails clipped, if needed.

These are dogs and cats which all need re-homing and basically they are all quite clean and don't really need much grooming.

They love it though, they love the fuss and it's nice to see their faces when they get some attention.

Next Friday (July 10th - my milestone birthday!) the plan, weather permitting, is to bath some of them - this should be fun!

Sarah, my Daughter comes along with me to help as she will be my partner in crime when our Pooch Makeover business gets off the ground.

She especially likes making a fuss of the pussy cats.

Well, a few photos of these lovable rogues:

Damn I lost the photos!

I decided that today (Friday 19th June) I would groom my little man as he was rather looking like a permanent rug feature.

I started at 11.45 am and completed him at 2.45 pm. Way too long but I guess with more experience and time, I will be cutting this down somewhat.

I started the process, tools at the ready, grooming table and then I started.

Firstly, the brush out, he doesn't mind this part and then using a #7 blade I set to work with the clippers. I encountered matting problems under his legs. This was quite bad and took some time to rectify.

I wanted to retain his feathers on front legs and especially the tail. So I scissored these.

I then scissored the pads and clipped his nails.

By this time, Barney had been on the grooming table for quite some considerable time and started to get quite fidgety, almost where he started to go into panic mode of the table. So before the bath, I thought it best to let him have a rest whilst I cleared up the mess!

Once all hoovered, it was time for the bath. I used a medicated shampoo as his skin has some sore bits on, baby shampoo on his face and finished off with a herbal rinse. One thing, I thought ah! time for the anal glands but I couldn't find them and after some rather odd looks from Barney, I decided to leave this delightful chore until the next time.

Normally, one would then blast dry the pooch but once he was out of the bath, he scampered off, down the stairs and out into the sunshine. He was dancing and jumping around like a mad thing but I think he felt so much better without all the hair and dirt that he manages to acquire whilst out on his travels.

It was a hot. sunny day and when he was dried, he was then brushed through and and out of place bits were scissored for the finishing touch.

I know there are still things that I need to become proficient in and with time this will come. What was good to hear from my Daughters boyfriend was "He looks better everytime you do him" so that must be good!

I did take some before and after photos but whilst I was copying or cutting them from one device to another, I must had inadvertently deleted them in the process. So I have used some taken a short time before of what he looked like and re-took a few shots today (Sunday 21st June) of him now.

Making Decisions...

Today I re-focused on where I am heading as my big Birthday becomes ever more visible on the horizon.
You see, back in January of this year I decided that I wanted to do what I have always wanted to do, even from a very young age, that being in some way to be able to work with animals, especially the canine variety. I felt that it was going to be now or never and so I finally decided that I would do what it takes to eventually start my own business which would be to provide a Dog Grooming and Dog Psychology Service.
So I then started on the road of investigating into what I would need to do to reach my goal.
To-date I study a Diploma at home (Level 2 in Dog Grooming) which I will complete in September 2009.
I have a place at Writtle College, starting in September 2009 (City & Guilds Level 2). This should be completed in February 2010.
I have gained experience in a Dog Grooming Parlour working on Fridays.
I also do voluntary work at a local Animal Sanctuary where I groom the dogs and cats, this includes walking them as well (and ensuring the cats are also kept free of fleas - well as best you can!)

This blog is an account of how I finally reach my dream. It may not be everyone's dream but it is mine and I am very proud of myself that I have taken the decision to get my dream. It's all very well having dreams but it's making them happen that counts.

To-day I decided to get myself a book on setting up a new business. There are things I need to understand, well it's a start at least.
Also, working at the Dog Grooming parlour is not giving me the real hands on that I need and so I am going to devote my time on Fridays to grooming my own dogs, those at the Sanctuary and doing some dog training or study.