kizzy kitty

A new girl on the block.  Kizzy from Liverpool !

We met up with Kizzy, as her coat had become too much to manage and had developed some tight mats that needed to be removed.  As well as that, the rest of the coat was too difficult to save.  So, we decided it would be best all round to give Kizzy a fresh start.

At 6 years old, Persian Kizzy isn’t too keen on being brushed and previously has needed sedation when being clipped.  However, we thought we’d see if a home session would work for Kizzy, and she fared very well.

It was obvious that Kizzy wasn’t struck on the idea and was extremely vocal and fidgety, but we managed to remain sufficiently calm as to begin working through her enormous coat.  We took the worst of the mats away on her top and sides, and began working on the armpits – then decided to resume the session on another day.  Kizzy was much calmer at that point, and we worked underneath to make her comfy.

Following the session, dad John said :

“we had a visit from Sandra yesterday to groom my little Persian girl Kizzy. Kizzy was pretty matted on her sides and underneath her chest.  I knew that we had a challenge on our hands a she’s not that fond of being pampered.  I couldn’t believe on how good she really was and she let Sandra brush and clip her, she was a little fidgety in parts but very good most of the time. What an excellent service from EssentiallyPurrfect.  Kizzy will now be looking forward to her next visit”

It was really pleasing that we were able to help Kizzy.  Well done girly !

friendly fudge

Our friend Fudge is now 20 years old !  If you didn’t know, you’d never guess !

Fudge still enjoys life in his neck of the woods in Astley, Greater Manchester.  He loves playing out out and keeps an eye on those squirrels in the garden.

We call on Fudge regularly to keep his nails in trim.  Although, as we said, he still plays out he doesn’t do much climbing etc to keep those nails worn down.   So he needs a little help …

Fudge is quite a nervous guy and the first time we met up he was very anxious about proceedings.  However, as sessions have occurred and he knows the script he really has learnt that there’s nothing to worry about.

He’s still not keen on the idea, but once he’s sat on the grooming table he listens to sweet talk whilst the dirty deed is done.  Less than 2 minutes later it’s all over and he’s back on the sofa, lapping up all the fuss and attention he can get !

Lovely seeing you again, Fudge !

lovely herbie

Maine Coon Herbie in Warrington, Cheshire has definitely grown a lot since we first met him 18 months ago. At that point he was Large. Now, at 3 and a half years old, he’s definitely X-Large – or maybe a bit bigger !

Herbie’s coat is always ready for a good work through. Also, he tends to get a little knotted underneath and sometimes around the rear end.

He’s not keen on being brushed, although he tolerates it with mum to an extent. However, he really doesn’t like the discipline of a formal session – and tells us very much so, in his own words ! He is intelligent enough to know what’s going on though, and we’re sure he feels so much better for it afterwards.

mr bailey

Who remembers this 9 year old Persian cross in Alderley Edge, Cheshire ? That’s right – It’s Bailey. We last saw Bailey a couple of months ago – and his coat this time around was sooooo much bigger.

Bailey goes out in the garden on his harness, and this causes knots underneath on his chest, and on his armpits where it rubs. The rest of his coat just needed a good brush out.

Bailey definitely remembered the last session and this time was less fidgety. We know he’d much rather have been patrolling his territory – an activity which he had had to leave for his session – but Bailey gritted he teeth and bared it whilst we worked through his fine coat. He has long hair on the underside of his feet, in tufts between his pads. This is the case with some long haired cats – in particular Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, where the hair acts as snowshoes. This insulates their feet, allowing them to traverse snowy grounds typical of the regions from which they originate. However, Bailey only goes as far as the garden, in short spells, so his snoeshows don’t really see much action – apart from trailing dirt back into the house. So, we trimmed them back to help alleviate this problem.

gorgeous bluebell

Seven year old Bluebell asked us to call in to have a look at her coat, which had developed matted areas. Bluebell has lived with her new mum in Sandbach, Cheshire for just a couple of months and she has settled in remarkably well. She is quite a timid girl, but she came to meet and greet, and was soon friendly – and very nosey. In and out of bags, wanting to know just what was going on.

Bluebell told us a right tale as we set to work on her tummy. We listened. If only she could have heard herself. Bluebell is deaf, so she didn’t know just how much she was going on ! A white coat and blue eyes makes deafness much more likely. In fact, a white cat with 2 blue eyes is 3-5 times more likely to be deaf than a cat with 2 non-blue eyes – and a cat with 1 blue eye is about twice as likely to be deaf as a cat with 2 non-blue eyes. Also, longhaired white cats are 3 times more likely to be deaf in both ears.

little elsie

This young lady is 6 year old Elsie from Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester.

When we arrived Elsie greeted us with a nice head rub and after introductions we really hit it off … However, Elsie is very intuitive and even before we began setting up stall she had retreated to the top of the stairs where she could keep a watchful eye on unfolding events !

Our Services had been called in as Elsie had developed a few knotty areas around her torso.  She’d actually managed to remove one herself since we’d made the appointment for her session, so they were maybe a little uncomfortable for her.

On the whole, Elsie doesn’t care for much contact – and is quite averse to being brushed.  As soon as her little tootsies hit the grooming table Elsie had decided that a session wasn’t really her cup of tea – and she did everything within her power to call it a day.

However, we managed to work through the problem areas with the clippers.  We took away a few tight mats, so whatever Elsie said at the time – she’s probably now realised it was actually all for her own benefit and that she’s feeling better for it.

Nice meeting you, Elsie.  You’re such a pretty little thing.  It’s a shame you don’t like the brush because it would make you even more beautiful !

pretty duch

The lovely Duch in Warrington, Cheshire asked us to call to give her a manicure.

Duch is now 17 years old.  The last couple of times we’ve met up, Duch has enjoyed a full groom – and she’s definitely benefitted from the sessions.  As her mum would tell you, Duch has rediscovered her mojo !

Although Duch really isn’t keen on having her nails clipped, she knows just how important it is to keep on top of them.  As cats get older, or if they are poorly or perhaps house cats, nails don’t always wear down sufficiently.  If nails become too long they can grow around into, and pierce the pad.

Although we heard one or two little protests Duch remained very calm and really, it was all over before she knew it.

Such a brave girl, Duch.  Looking forward to seeing you again in April for your maintenance groom chick !

gentle rosie

Hands up if you recognise this Lancashire lass ?  This is 3 year old Persian Rosie in Thornton, Cleveleys.

It’s just 12 months since we last saw Rosie.  Since then, mum has done really well brushing and keeping on top of Rosie’s coat.  However, over the later months, mats had started to develop – particularly underneath and around the trouser area.

Rosie is such a sweet girl.  A little cautious by nature – but her nosey-ness gets the better of her ! We worked underneath to clear the mats, then followed this with a brush out.  We’re going to see Rosie again late Spring for a maintenance brush out to help prevent mats forming.

Good girl Rosie – We’re sure you’ll feel better all round.

striking tilly

Say a big Hi again to 3 year old Maine Coon Tilly in Blackpool, Lancashire.

It was time for Tilly’s maintenance groom and her coat was ready for a good brush out.  She was definitely wearing her winter wardrobe !

Just one or two tangles underneath, but overall Tilly’s coat benefitted from a thorough brush out.  Tilly wasn’t over the moon about the idea – she much prefers not to be messed with ! – but we had a good chat and told her how important it is to keep on top of things.  Reluctantly, she agreed.

So -See you again in a few weeks Tilly baby !

haaaaarrrrry !

Recognise Harry ?  Actually, it’s pronounced Haaaaarrrrrrreeeee – not Harry !   Harry’s a 2 year old Persian who hangs out in Huyton, Liverpool with his housemates and family.

A more gentle, friendly boy you could not meet.  He is also very inquisitive and must know exactly what’s going on in his house !

Our session today was to relieve Harry of some small matted areas which had recently formed – mainly around the shoulders and armpits.  Harry knew what it was all about and although he was a little fidgety, there was nothing that couldn’t be settled with sweet talk !

Well done Mr Harry ! Nice seeing you again chick !