did you know …?

This is why everyone should look after at least one cat !

mr simba

We were asked to call in to meet up with this young man – Simba – in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Although Simba’s coat is short, it had developed some clumps down the lower back spinal area, as Simba isn’t able to reach these parts when he grooms.

Simba is quite a wary boy, and although he LOVES his dad brushing him (you can hear his purr from the next room !), he really was not happy to find himself on the grooming table.  Even before a brush or clipper was mentioned, Simba had decided it wasn’t for him and did his best to leave the situation.

We removed the troublesome area from his coat, but left the session there as it was proving too stressful for Simba.  Now Simba’s dad will be able to brush through with no obstacles – with Simba in ecstasy, no doubt !

Nice meeting you Simba … Glad we got a piccie of you on the stairs, on your way back to bed !

darling dalmore

We met up with our friend Dalmore in Fleetwood again, recently.

Dalmore is 4 years old and is a Blue Point Ragdoll.  He has the most thick, fluffy coat – and piercing blue eyes !  The piccie to the right was taken before we started today’s session. You can see how his coat didn’t sit flush, due to the dead hair that needed to be brushed out.

We last saw Dalmore in the Spring, when we brushed him out and gave him a belly clip.  Today, his coat was thick and one or 2 ad-hoc tangles had developed.  Apart from that, his coat was in real good condition.  However we decided on another belly clip, to make it easier for everyone all round in the coming months.  Mum can brush under there, but Dalmore isn’t really that keen ….

Dalmore will definitely feel more comfy now that his coat is thinner and lighter.  It was a hot day and after the session, Dalmore went straight out into the garden, under his favourite bush in the shade to chill out.

Well done Dalmore – you were such a good boy !!

radiant rosie

Remember lovely Maine Coon Rosie ?  Rosie is 12 years old and lives with her (many !) housemates and family in Gargrave, North Yorkshire.

Rosie is a big girl, but ever so gentle with it.  She was a little nervous, but after the initial couple of minutes settled well on the table whilst we started to work through her coat.  There were a few mats here and there, but we decided to take a lot of the coat away as the rest would have been too difficult to work through.  Rosie isn’t too tolerant of the brush, but fares much better with the clippers.  She remembers and understands that they don’t hurt.

After the session Rosie polished off a bowl of her favourite tuna, before coming back for a nosey whilst we cleared everything away.  It was nice to see her looking seemingly more content – even a little self grooming went on !

Mum Ruth later said :

“Just a very BIG thank you once again, Sandra, for your patience and professional help with Rosie.  Since her grooming she has started to play out and eat regularly again.  She is steadily improving every day and the other cats seem very curious about her new hair do !  Thanks from Ruth (Rosies’s mum) & of course Rosie xx”

Thanks Ruth, it’s so pleasing to hear that Rosie is obviously feeling better about herself …. Well done Rosie, you were such a good girl.

mr eric

This handsome boy is 13 year old Eric in Preston.  Remember him ?  He’s a lovely lad, who lives with his housemates and mum.

We first met up with Eric a few weeks ago, when he needed some help with his coat as mats had formed in some areas.  We did some clipping and brushed out the rest of his coat.

Today, the clipped areas are beginning to grow back and with Eric’s coat being black, these areas are now quite heavily disguised.  Mum has been able to brush a little since we last met up, but Eric’s coat was thick and ready for a good brush out today.

Eric’s not keen on his sessions but he did remain calm as we worked underneath.  It’s the flanks and rear quarters that Eric really can’t tolerate – but they had to be brushed through or else we would find ourselves with matted trousers/backend in the coming weeks.

After the session, Eric was straight out in the garden and on his rounds – checking out what he’d missed out on.  Later that evening Eric sent a text through to say :

“Thank you for making me beautiful. Love Eric xx”

So, we are friends after all Eric !  We thought so really !!  Looking forward to seeing you again soon …

gentle nala

This lovely lady is Nala, a 6 year old Maine Coon cross who lives with her mum in Warmingham, Cheshire.

It’s months since the last time we met up with Nala and since then mum has been able to well keep on top of Nala’s rugged coat.  Nala now allows mum to brush most areas quite happily – just around the backend and the shoulder/ruff area where she’s not so keen.

Nala did remember the last session.  She was obviously more relaxed and less fidgety this time around.  We had a good brush through, and although very vocal throughout, Nala let us get on with the job in hand.

Well done Nala !  Such a good girl !

our ellie

It’s about 16 months since we last met up with Ellie in Lowton, Warrington, Cheshire – so you may not remember her.

Ellie is about 9 years old, and has a thick, semi-long coat.  She spends time outside under the bushes and the sap tends to help clog her coat.  Particularly down her back/spine area.

It’s fair to say that Ellie’s not that keen on a brush out.  Her coat was thick and ready for a good brush out.  She was much happier with the clippers, which zipped away the matted areas.

Overall Ellie fared very well…. and your ears were impeccable, Ellie !  Well done !!

miss eva peron

We recently met up with the lovely Eva Peron.  Eva Peron is a Blue Silver Tabby with White, Maine Coon who is 2 years old and lives in Bollington, Cheshire.

Eva Peron is a large, heavy girl.  Her coat had become matted in parts and we decided to do a partial clip so that she and mum would have a fresh start moving forward.  It’s was the best choice as she would have looked patchy otherwise – plus Eva Peron was much happier working with the clippers than a harsh brush through.

It was quite a fidgety session but Eva Peron did become more rested as we progressed.  We think she understood what was going on and that it was for her benefit.  It was a hot afternoon and Eva Peron enjoyed the cool air from the fan blowing in her face !

Following the session, mum Lynne said :

“Sandra came to groom my two cats, Kazbah and Eva Peron, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. Neither cat is unused to being groomed but both had got into bad condition due to house move and me being unwell. Sandra’s tenacity and expert handling skills made the process for the girls, and they looked absolutely fantastic afterwards and did not appear at all stressed from the experience despite Eva having to have a lion cut on each flank as she had become matted. Now at home again they are back in the habit of routine grooming and I can’t thank Sandra enough for facilitating that.“

Brilliant – thanks, Lynne.  Nice meeting up with you Eva Peron !  Bet you’re coat is growing back lovely !

the lovely james

We called in again to see the lovely James in Swinton, Manchester as he was due his maintenance brush out.

James’ coat is short, but it is thick and as he is getting older he isn’t as able to keep on top of it.  How old do you think James is ?  14 !! – Although he doesn’t look it !  Mum is able to comb to keep on top of the situation, but James’ coat was ready for a good brush out.

We played some soothing music, which we think James enjoys, and he lay patiently whilst we worked through his coat.  He isn’t at all keen on his tail / tail base being touched as he’s quite tender around that area from a sore, but he fared well.

No doubt he’ll be feeling more spritely after his session !  Well done James – such a good boy !!

bonny billy

It was recently time for a catch up again with Billy in Lower Darwen, Lancashire.

Billy is a little nervous in nature, but is now used to his sessions and knows what to expect.  We had a little stroke when we arrived and he sat calmly whilst we set up stall.

Mum has done really well keeping on top of Billy’s thick coat since our last visit, but his session was very timely.  Parts of his coat were clumping and although we managed to thoroughly brush out (no clippers required !) it was quite tough going in places.  Billy was patient, during what was quite a long session.  The sun made an appearance towards the end, which doesn’t help during a session as this tends to warm the room up.  A cool environment is always the starting point for any session as cats can find heat stressful.

As soon as the session was over, Billy was out there in his garden.  He’d been confined indoors throughout the morning, so was really ready to get out there ! He didn’t go far … Just up and down the patio, almost strutting !

Well done Billy, it was nice seeing you again chick !