"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." ~Hippocrates

“Garbage in garbage out”  ~George Fuechsel

“If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it”  ~Common sense

“Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.”  ~Mike Adams

"You are what you eat."  ~Somebody a really long time ago.

All of these pertain to both us and our pets...know what you're feeding yourselves and your p...
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Going for a walk around your 'hood just not cutting it for you and your pooch anymore? Need something a little more stimulating for you both? Or just interested in trying something new? There are lots of dog related activities that can help build a strong relationship between you and your pet. Many of these activities are offered locally. Here is a rating of some dog activities that you can look into. We rated them according to activity level, required training, fun, and breed specific ...
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Well...we at Little Shop have had some computer issues.  We are pet groomers, NOT IT specialists, so do forgive our delay in updating the blog.  All is not solved as of yet, but we were able to get our paws on a computer and internet in the same location today and therefore will be blogging our brains out.  Ok ok, maybe not THAT crazy but we will post some updated info.  First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there...whether your children be 2 legged or 4, they both count!

Rememb...
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Well, I had a good time in Atlanta. Didn't place in any of the 3 classes I entered, but I was happy with how the dogs turned out. Great strides were made, I feel. The next show is April at Intergroom in New Jersey. This is a large, international show so placing here is a big victory. If you woukd like to see pictures of the dog's I groomed this weekend, like us on facebook www.facebook.com/LittleShopSalon or follow us on Twitter @LittleShopSalon. 

While in ATL I lined up some possible speaking...
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Several years ago two adorable Pomeranians walked into Little Shop for a makeover. Their mom, Laurie, mentioned an interest in grooming.  I admit at the time I thought there's no way she would cut it as a groomer, she was so immaculately dressed and soft spoken I couldn't picture her covered in dog hair dealing with some of the less savory aspects a day with dogs often entails.  When the opportunity arose for her to start working one day a week with us I thought for sure she would decide this...
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If you have ever had a pet that does not like being groomed you know what I'm talking about. Often times our first reaction is to avoid what we consider undue stress. However if you own a breed that requires regular grooming, extended time between appointments only makes matters worse. Think back to a time when you didn't go to the dentist for your regular cleaning only to find out months later that there was now a cavity. The process you originally dreaded (which wasn't that bad to begin wit...
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Welcome to our Open House Festival!!!!  We look forward to being able to let our fur down a little and have some fun with our friends and their pets.  There is a lot planned tomorrow, here is our schedule...remember we are dog people so everything is a little flexible.  :)

1:00
Rescue Roundup Grooming Competition @ Little Shop of Howlers
   - local groomers will be giving homeless pets a much needed makeover in the hopes that they will go to their forever homes clean and happy.

1:30
Agility Demo w...
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As you can see, I have been very lax on updating my blog...here are my following list of excuses: my computer decided to put itself down, I do not have internet at the shop, I attended 3 grooming competitions and was a speaker at one trade show since my last post, I went on vacation, I was tired, I had to play with my attention hungry dogs, I had to work.....hhmmmm, I'm sure I could think of some more things, but I feel sufficiently justified in my mind.  ;)  I apologize for my respite and am...
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With the recent pet food recalls a lot of us are wondering what to feed our pets to keep them safe.  Unfortunately there is risk in whatever you choose so nothing will be fool proof, but educating yourself on what you're feeding and where it comes from helps lower that risk.  First rule: read the labels!!

Pet foods are not regulated like people food.  Unfortunately the origins and the quality of the ingredients in the food is not necessary to share with the public. Often times labels will read...
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Have you noticed your house getting a little furrier in the last few weeks?  All this warm weather and the lengthening days is triggering your pets to start shedding their winter coats.  Fear not, there are some things you can do to fight the fur and hopefully salvage your clothes, furniture and sanity.

Shedding is normal. First understand that all pets shed, even those labeled "non shedding" breeds.  The only pets that do not shed are hairless pets.  The reason some pets have earned the titl...
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Came across a show on Animal Planet tonight that I have now set on my TiVo, My Cat From Hell.  Jackson Galaxy is the cat world's Victoria Stilwell (from It's Me or the Dog for those of you who don't know, check it out).  He is a cat behaviorist who deals with kitty conundrums and helps families live more in harmony with their feline friends.  I highly recommend watching it if you have cats, are considering getting a cat, or just want to learn more about how to handle cats.  It's obvious from ...
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Here's several blogs that I often frequent.  I know many of the people writing these blogs and they are caring pet professionals with a wealth of knowledge that is apropos to both pet stylists and pet parents.  Thought I'd share these treasures with you as I enjoy getting lost for hours in their posts and you may too!

Pet First Aid and Care written by Mary Oquendo C.M.P.T.I, C.C.S.  Mary is not only a good friend of mine, but also a very active player in advancing pet first aid knowledge aroun...
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Follow us on Twitter @LittleShopSalon.  Let us know when your baby is in and we will tweet a before and after pic of them!  There's also a lot of great info as well as pictures and video of our shop kitties, Audrey and Steve. 

Facebook is a great place to post pictures of your pet after they're done as well as find out about shop news and specials.

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On a beautiful day in August with the sun pouring in our open doors, a customer asked us who's kitten was walking around the reception area.  I looked out to see a tiny orange kitten walking right up to the customer's German Shepherd!  No fear, tail high in the air as if to say, "Hi, will you take care of me?"  It was love at first sight!  I knew in an instant this was going to be the shop cat I had been wanting for years.  We took her to the vet for an upper respiratory infection.  Within 2 ...
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You're invited to the 4th Annual Cut-a thon at Joiya Day Spa and Hair Design to benefit Hamden Happy Tails Foundation.  We will be there offering nail trims and pawdicures.  Don't miss out on the excitement!

Where: 2349 Whitney Ave, Hamden CT (Corner of Whitney and Dixwell)
When: 10am - 2pm

See the flyer for an itinerary and more information.



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• Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end and then follow up with a sanitary trim.
  
• You don't go 6-8 weeks without washing or brushing your hair and rolling in the yard in the meantime.
  
• Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears and eyes.
  
• Your haircut doesn't include a mani/pedi.
• You sit still for your hairdresser.
  
• Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head, not your entire body.
• You don't bite or scratch your hairdresser.
• Your hairdresser doesn't give you a bath. 
• Your ha...

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While you are always welcome to come visit us and have a tour of our facility, we thought we would make one available to you while in your own home.  We will be adding some pictures of the grooming and bathing area soon, but here are a couple shots of the reception area as well as the self serve pet spa.  Enjoy!

Our front doors and reception area....


Reception desk, viewing areas into the grooming salon and the wall of fame...


Retail section and door to self serve....


Self Serve Pet Spa with a vi...
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When I first heard about Reiki I was a little skeptical, even more so when I heard people rave about it's benefits on pets.  Then Craig, one of our bathing technicians and our in-house Reiki Master, slowly began to change my mind.  I asked him to help me dry a cat that had come into the salon for a bath and brushout.  Most cats are very tolerant for the whole process, but they are not usually enjoying it as much as we would like them to.  Well, Craig began to dry this cat and after a few minu...
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I'm back from an exciting weekend at Intergroom in NJ.  This particular show happens to be one of my favorite competitions and trade shows.  While I did not place with any of my entries this go round, I was able to gain some very good experience and learn some new tricks for next time.  The highlight of the weekend had to be the arrival of my new Kerry Blue Terrier puppy.  She is 10 weeks old, and quite the firecracker!  Her name has not been decided on as of yet, but we are working on it!  T...
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Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter: LittleShopSalon.  Check our homepage for a link to our Facebook page. 

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In the last several years I have been using spot on flea treatments sparingly and only as needed.  I have 7 fur bearing pets so fleas are definitely a concern for me as an infestation would happen quickly.  However I began to not be so quick to apply the chemicals when one of my dogs would literally run when he heard the packaging open.  I would have to physically remove him from under a bed or table to put the treatment on and then he'd spend the better part of an hour moping around the hous...
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We had a great time at our open house party!  Our estimate was about 200 visitors who watched our demos, snacked on hot dogs and donuts, visited with their dogs and others' pets, won prizes, and enjoyed the beautiful day we were given.  Thank you all for coming out to support us and find out more about what Little Shop has to offer.  We look forward to our fall festival next year with even more great attractions! 

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September 26, 2010 we will be having an open house and party to celebrate our new salon.  Paws N Effect next door will also be holding some dog friendly events.

So far we are planning:
BBQ (with vegetarian options as well)
Ice cream
Grooming demonstrations
Private grooming consultations for your pets
Nail trims
Teeth brushing
Agility demos
Flyball
Lure coursing
Healthy diet seminars by local vets
Rescue group fundraising
Door prizes
Special coupons
Tours of our salon
Self Serve Pet Spa will be open
CGC testin...
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Prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the upcoming festivities, and don't forget to be prepared to be extra careful of your pets as well.  With all the treats laying around, our pets are bound to get a hold of something.  Here's some foods that we need to keep out of reach of our hungry pets paws:

1. Nuts: we know for certain macadamia nuts are one of the most toxic nuts for dogs, followed by walnuts and almonds, especially bitter almonds.  When dogs get into these delicious nuts, dogs seem to ...

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