baby bear

This little fellow is quite a traveller. He can be found in either Preston, Lancashire or down in Liverpool, Merseyside.

Bear is a 17 month old Maine Coon – and it’s fair to say that he’s not keen on being brushed. Not a bad bone in his body – just really not keen. Athletic, acrobatic – full of beans !!

He’d recently had a visit to the vets to remove some tight mats, and his coat was growing back a treat. Even without any knots or problem areas, Bear couldn’t agree to a session.

We had a brush through, turning it more into a game for him. He likes chewing, so he chewed a combed at one end, whilst we worked on other areas.

It’s going to be a long, slow job for dad to get Bear into the habit of combing … Little and often … Good luck dad !

friendly alfie

Friendly Maine Coon Alfie in Urmston, Greater Manchester recently asked us to call in on him for his regular session.

Alfie’s around 7 years old and although he’s a timid boy, once he gets to know you he does love cuddles and sweet talk.

Since we last saw Alfie, his mum has broken her wrist. So, not as much combing has been going on. Hence, a few mats needed to be removed, and Alfie’s coat in general was mega-thick.

We had a lonnnnnng session and Alfie’s behavious was impeccable. 10/10 Alfie, you handsome man !

Just look at all the dead hair that came away … Alfie’s sure feeling lighter !

darling dexter

Maine Coon cross Dexter has recently moved house. He’s now with his (same) family in Chorlton Cum Hardy, Manchester – and both he and his housemate have settled in very well.

We met up with Dexter again as he has regular maintenance clips to keep his coat short. He’s noticeably happier this way.

It’s obvious that each session is becoming easier for Dexter. He’s quite a nervous guy, but he managed to keep his cool for the majority of the session.

Then – afterwards – he was back strolling through the grooming room totally unphased whilst we were clearing up !

Until next time, Dexter …

handsome thomas

Here’s Thomas, our friend from Manchester once again. Thomas is a very nervous young man, but affectionate once he’s made friends. He’s been with his new mum for almost a year now.

This second session was noticeably more relaxed than last time. We still had a few Houdini moments (!) and Thomas was a bit fidgety, but it was all quite half hearted.

Thomas’ coat was very thick today, but no knots. Combing is becoming a little easier for mum, but Thomas still really isn’t keen towards his rear and lower quarters. He was very compliant though during our session and we combed his tum without any fuss.

After the session, mum Charlotte told us

“Dear Sandra, yet another successful grooming session for Thomas – thank you. I really couldn’t manage him without you. He is currently asleep on my bed looking much more sleek than usual. He is definitely becoming more affectionate, although he is still a little biter ! Looking forward to seeing you again in autumn. All the best, Charlotte and Thomas xxx”

Looking forward to our next session too, guys !

lovely lizzie

At 6 years old, Lizzie is a brown tabby Maine Coon who lives in Altrincham, Cheshire with a family who adore her, and quite a houseful of housemates !

Lizzie is a little timid by nature, until she gets to know you – but it doesn’t take long, and she’s a most friendly chick who enjoys a bit of a fuss.

We worked through Lizzie’s coat and took away a couple of small areas that couldn’t be saved. The rest of her coat had a good work through to remove dead hair and make her a little lighter !

We broke off part way through the session as it was a hot day, with the sun shining through. Time for Lizzie to chill a little. Then we resumed, to finish off Lizzie’s coat.

Following the session, mum Lesley said

“It was a great pleasure to meet Sandra today. After a grooming experience that left me feeling rather uncomfortable my cats hadn’t been properly groomed for some time!! Sandra was so patient, kind and very gentle with the cats and me!! A very positive experience for all of us. Many, many thanks and hope to see you again if you’re brave enough!! Xxx”

A lovely session, Lizzie. Well done chick and looking forward already to seeing you again

the urmston chicks

Three chicks in Urmston, Greater Manchester were due their regular nail trim recently. You remember them ?

Oriental Crosses Tiger-Lily and Florence are ever such sweet little girls. Although, we do hear they can have a cheeky streak to them when the mood suits !

Oscar is now their housemate. He’s been with them oh, maybe 12 months now, and he’s the most sweet little boy too. We think there’s some Maine Coon in him.

It was all over before they knew there was time for any fuss. The girls are still a little nervous of their sessions, but it is getting easier for them.

Well done chicks !

A fews days after the sessions, mum Eve told us :

“Aww thanks Sandra! You are absolutely brilliant with them. As soon as you left they were sharpening their claws on the cat tree. See you soon !  xx”

lovely luigi

You wouldn’t believe just how thick Exotic Luigi’s coat was when we paid him a visit this time around ! We only saw him a few weeks ago !

Luigi lives in Windermere, Cumbria. He is quite a timid boy, but he is now well used to our sessions. The first time we met up, maybe a couple of years ago, Luigi was determined that he wasn’t going to stay in the session. Not a bad bone in his body, just very athletic !

Today – A different boy. Luigi rested very patiently whilst we got to work underneath. The coat was thick and beginning to clump in one or two places and was in need of a rigorous brush out.   See the piccie of the hair that came away during today’s session.
It was a long session – tooooo long and toooooo much really, for a maintenance session.  So, going forward we are going to increase the frequency of Luigi’s grooms to make for an easier session for him.

Such a good chick, Luigi and looking forward to seeing you again soon !

little elvis

Our friend Persian Elvis in Middleton, Greater Manchester is now just over 2 years old, and it was time again for him to enjoy his maintenance clip !

Naturally, Elvis has the most big, thick, overwhelming coat you can imagine. Far to much for him to be able to cope with, and it was obviously weighing him down in body and mind.

Elvis is a friendly young man, but easily gets spooked and panics. In his previous life (before his met his current mum) he endured a terrible experience, being caught up in a washing machine. He is lucky to still be with us today.

When we first met Elvis last year, we had brush out sessions. He was very fidgety at times, but relaxed for periods in between. Today’s session was quite the opposite. Chilled is probably the best word to describe our session. At one point whilst his tummy was being clipped he really was snoozing and it was only a gentle tap on the shoulder that roused him !

We always knew that Elvis wasn’t keen on the comb. Probably because his coat is so thick, and the comb struggles to get through. However, Elvis really has learnt and accepted – and prefers ! – the clippers.

After the session, mum commented :

“I rescued him [Elvis] when he was a kitten and he is scared of most things apart from loves which he demands constantly ha ha. That’s why this service is a god send.  I would never subject him to an outside groomer. To be able to have his maintenance clip in his own home is wonderful. He loves his new body Hun – thank you so much….. You did a fantastic job as per, they’re much happier without all that fur.  They’ve been chilling in the back garden and playing when the mood takes them.  They play more when cooler”

Why not come over and have a look at our facebook page, where you can see a short video clip of the young man himself …

the lovely james

We called in to see James again in Swinton, Manchester.

James is now 15 years old ! … but he’s still a hefty guy.

His coat is short, but very thick and James doesn’t self groom as much these days. So, we give him a bit of help.

James wasn’t in the mood for our session today, although he does like the music we play for him.

We took away a lot of dead hair from his coat and although he objected a little at the time, we know he’ll now have a lighter spring in his step again for a while.

Nice seeing you James. Well done fellow !