Losing a special grooming client

[Chris]

I lost a very special client today that I have been grooming for most of her life.  I hadn't seen her in awhile so I called her Mom to chat & she said she had passed peacefully in her sleep.  In this pic she was 17 years old- taken last fall.  She won me several 1sts and 2nds in grooming competitions over the years, and even though with her age she was thinning in coat and getting pudgy, she was still kickin' it! I will really miss her so.  Bless you , sweetheart.
 http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll98/windywaycavaliers/Poodles%20and%20Poodle%20Mixes/phpj1nN54PM.jpg[/img]]

[Michael]

That's definitely bittersweet, Chris! She looks gorgeous even at 17! Very nice! I remember some older gals we took care of at the boarding kennel and some just really made me smile at how much pep and spirit they had even in their older years.

The tough thing about losing someone that close is the pain is only softened by all the wonderful memories....but maybe that's what makes it so painful anyway....but also so beautiful to have had the experience together in the first place.

[zefi]

She looks excellent for an old girl, for sure. You did a great job on her. I'm sorry to hear about her loss. Her family must be devastated.

[Chris]

Thank you guys!  I will miss her, she wasn't herself at her last appt. either. She was falling asleep while I groomed her!  But, her family assures me that she did not suffer, and passed away while sleeping.  This gives me some comfort. She certainly had a good long life, and I gave her Mom a nicely framed 8X10 of her Grooming Competition award photo, and she cried. Well, we both did, but I was glad I could do it for them. They have promised to see me if they ever get another puppy.
Thank you again for your kind words.

[Michael]

Well, we also thank you for sharing the experience with us....the good as well as the bittersweet. It's relationships like these that make life with dogs so wonderful. I can totally understand the emotions with the 8x10. And though you'll always have the wonderful memories, if they do get another puppy, it sounds like you'll have a new chapter to open in life when that comes about.

[auntie c]

just popped in to have a poke around and found this topic...

I lost a very special grooming client myself last weekend..

Henry was a 12 year old standard boy that was the bestest friend to my beautiful max...

he had a stroke and passed not long after..

i hope they are together again...

love from everyone in newcastle...

[zefi]

Old dogs are so very special. They have given years and years of love. I love older dogs more than puppies. Puppies are gorgeous and irresistable. But old dogs are full of life experiences and love.