[wagondog]

I just couldn't get it in my head that come Dec 31 Harley and I are going to retire, not from his work but mine, it's not scary until you get there. This is the plan, I have decided to attend the NY School of Dog Grooming in February and have already located a nice used grooming van priced so low that I have to buy it if only to sleep in it in the driveway. I am volunteering my help at a grooming shop in exchange for some exposure to the grooming environment. Today I bathed a bunch of Shitsu dogs, Yorkies, a Pomeranion, and an Austrailian Shepard, after each bath and fluff I got to hold for the groomer and watch him cut and learn. Grooming is very physically demanding work, this is from a guy that put in boilers for 40 years. I think I can handle the work end and I hope the exposure to the groomer and school will help with the artistic side of the job...........it was really a blast working with the doggies and seeing the different personalities. And I still have ten fingers. Waiting to see my first Golden come through the door.
Jerry and Harley

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

What a wonderful idea! I've been thinking of using a mobile groomer. Might be just the thing for you and Harley!

 

[beargroomer]

Haha, I KNEW you couldn't retire and enjoy your free time like "normal" senior citizens do. LOL. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. But seriously, I think it's so awesome that you'll become a mobile groomer! You'll have so much fun!

 

[moverking]

And you'll be down to WV when, Jer?
"Jerry Goes Mobile"...I can see it now, what fun!!!

 

[Ash]

Thats awesome! I wish you much luck and success! I will tell you as thats what I did for a quite a while its hard on the body, hard on the paitients (mostly with people but there were a few dogs), and its a dirty job but its also an important job. I quite enjoyed and there was a lot of time it did not feel like "work". Good luck Jerry! I am sure you will be wonderful!!

 

[cubbysan]

I envy you. That is so exciting!

I have met so many groomers that this has been their second career. I actually considered going to grooming school about 20 years ago. I remember meeting the students, one was a lawyer and one was an accountant. Both were moving on from those careers, because they had had enough stress.

My next career will be animal related, just do not know what yet.

 

[janine]

If your taking the grooming business on the road please make a stop in Maryland, Chester has fuzzy toes and they need a trim. That job sounds like so much fun..good luck.

 

[Thor0918]

I'll join the club. When you're on your way to Md stop in Pa and you can do mine too. Good for you I think you'll love it!

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

Hey, I'll bet if Jerry decides to take it on the road we can keep him in business full-time and make it across America!

 

[DCPakaMOM]

Congratulations! I think that is very exciting! I earned part of Bailey's stud fee by grooming a friend's goldens. Just this morning I asked my boss if I could please groom her Wheaten and her schnauzer. She doesn't care how poorly I do, it just gives me experience and I find it rewarding and believe it or not relaxing. (least I can do as good as the last girl she took her to at Petco!) Doing it every day would be hard - but I am so JEALOUS that you get to go do this!

Keep us all posted on how it goes!

 

[wagondog]

Hey guys thanks for the encouragement, I thought I would be hearing "give it up old guy" but no, GRF is supportive again. Worked again today and had fun bathing and drying and watching the groom, I get to play with all the dogs too! I work for a young couple that gave up a careers to follow a passion, really fun to work with. They have play groups at night, puppy parties, very supportive of the local shelters with adoption grooms and collections of blankets for the shelter dogs.
Worked on a blind Shitsu that probably couldn't see my work anyway LOL. Funny dealing with people with their fur-kids, I thought us guys on GRF were psycotic NOT. We work in a preppy part of Brooklyn so they do alot of mohawks, racing stripes down the back, and strange coloring. I'm in touch with my masculitinty (I think) and today I was walking a Lasa with a yellow tail and I was in a borrowed purple womans groomer smock in a very unusal part of town :wave:. I'm not makin money but I'm having soooooo much fun... My bosses were trying to hook up a new Goomers Helper bar to one of the tables and we were using a stuffed Rottweiler to test it, while we were taking a break I realized that people passing could look in the shop window and see this stuffed dog hanging in mid air from the noose, **** near peed my pants and not cause of incontinence either. Let me know when you guys want me to stop by.....may be the only Goldens I get to see, what color would you like me to make them ????
Jerry

 

[LibertyME]

Im tickled for ya Jerry!
If I get to Brooklyn...I know who Im gonna visit - Liberty loves pink!!

 

[Wendy427]

... My bosses were trying to hook up a new Goomers Helper bar to one of the tables and we were using a stuffed Rottweiler to test it, while we were taking a break I realized that people passing could look in the shop window and see this stuffed dog hanging in mid air from the noose, **** near peed my pants and not cause of incontinence either.

ROFL!! Just cracking up here! LOL Sounds like you're having SO much fun, Jerry! I also am looking to "retire" (at some point...who knows when!), but definitely HAVE to do something with doggies!

 

[wagondog]

If your taking the grooming business on the road please make a stop in Maryland, Chester has fuzzy toes and they need a trim. That job sounds like so much fun..good luck.

Janine
In the grooming world I found out those are called Dr. Zeuss feet. Push the hair up from the pads up between the toes, get yourself thinning scissors just cut on the top of the foot until even then go right around the foot on the ground. and away go the fuzzy feet. Feet are fun.......
Jerry

 

[Finn's Fan]

Jerry, you sure sound like you're having fu, not to mention giving some other folks a laugh or two at your expense (the visual of the Lhasa and you was great)! Finn would be a challenge, but you're welcome to swing through Colorado and give it a shot....he doesn't bite

 

[goldencontriever3]

Sounds like you are having fun! I have four that need a trimming in Jersey if you make it out here.

 

[janine]

Thanks Jerry....I do need to trim those furtoes "Dr Zeuss feet" !

 

[Bogey's Mom]

Hey, I'll bet if Jerry decides to take it on the road we can keep him in business full-time and make it across America!

Now wouldn't that be a cool way to see the country!

 

[Madilyn]

Gosh that sounds like a lot of fun. I use a mobil groomer about twice a year. She comes along in her trailer, parks in front of the house, and 1 hour later I have a beautiful pup! Well - I have 2, so it takes about 2-3 hours, but it takes me at least a day to bathe, brush and groom my girls - so a few times a year we splurge and they get the royal treatment.

Good luck!

 

[Mandarama]

OK, I have to know. How in the world do they dye the dogs those wild colors? I saw a photo someone linked on another board to a standard poodle done completely to look like a Pittsburgh Steelers player!

Now, I am not interested in coloring the Murphster...but I'm curious to know how you do it!

You sound so happy. That is really the best answer for your question about whether it's right for you!