The Doggy House

29/09/2026

UPDATE

Hi everyone,

Im almost 9 weeks post shoulder op! Im doing well physically. Mentally... im bored out of my brain!! Haha 🙏 Had another visit with my surgeon, he's keeping a close eye on my recovery and is happy with where im at. Physio is continuing and will do for some time. Still working on movement. I've regained a lot, not quite 100% range, but getting close. Some movements however are still very hard/painful to make, but its to be expected at this stage. Also working with resistance bands.. physio upgraded the level of resistance, so that's a positive. And if all goes well I should start strength training in approximately 2 weeks time! Woohoo 🙌
Its looking very likely that my return to work will be end of November, early December. I feel much more confident that this will happen now.. so therefore I'll be sending out messages shortly, offering a tentative booking for your pooch.

There were a couple doggo's that were given tentatives for September/October (prior to my op) but obviously my shoulder isnt ready. I will message to confirm this and reschedule for November/December period.

Most of you are still waiting on tentaive bookings (since prior op). Im sorry I've held out this long.. I wanted to wait until I had a more solid idea on where my recovery is at before putting in hours of work only to change it if things didn't go to plan 🤦‍♀️ haha

Please also keep in mind that when i do return it will be a much slower pace.. I would love to just pick up where I left off but realistically that just isnt gonna happen. Although I'll be returning to work.. my shoulder however wont be fully recovered, that could take up to 12-18 months for full recovery. This may mean that some pooches wont get their pamper until the new year. Of course I dont expect anyone to wait for me. If this does happen, then please feel free to go elsewhere until I can work them back into a schedule, that works with my shoulder capability.

I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful spring weather today..

Im looking forward to being back.. getting closer now 🙏

I'll be in touch soon

Much love,
Mel 🙏❤️

03/09/2026

Hi Everyone 👋

I hope you're all well 🙏

Time for an update,
First I want to thank everyone who's reached out, offering their kind words of support, and the lovely thoughful gifts. Means so much to me, truly! ❤️

Today marks 5 weeks since my operation... feels much longer 🤦‍♀️
I had a shoulder reconstruction with the addition of, a long head of biceps tenodesis. The tendon was very unstable so it required detaching, rerouting and reattaching to my humerous (and that ain't no joke)🤦‍♀️ Ouch!!

I'm doing very well. Im exactly where I should be for 5 weeks post op. My physio was initially twice a week, now down to weekly. However, I have daily exercises to complete. Im very much committed to my recovery!! But I have to say... Oh how we take the simplest of movement for granted! I've regained quite a bit of movement, not full range. Some Im still working towards. None of it comes without pain, but im working on trusting my shoulder and breaking through it.. The physio "massage" on the other hand... in a word, borderline 'torture' haha but it does help, as silly as that sounds.

As far as returning to work..? I dont have a definite return date at this stage. The coming weeks should shed a little more light. The physio is of the opinion that it'll take approximately 4 months recovery. First is working on regaining movement. Then strength training. Right now, I have no doubt a toddler could beat me in an arm wrestle 🤣
I see my surgeon again in 3 weeks time, so we'll see what he thinks.

I just want you all to know that i haven't forgotten your furbabies. And i miss them all 🥹 Once I have a more clear idea on where im at, I will reach out to you all and confirm your pooches bookings.

Please know that in the meantime, if you do need to take your babies elsewhere, before i return, know that I completely understand 🙏

If you have any questions in the meantime, please dont hesitate to message me.

Take care, I shall be in touch
Mel ❤️ 🐾

18/03/2026

HEY EVERYONE!

It's been a while, I know 🤦‍♀️ i didnt want to update you all until I had a concrete answer to this neck/shoulder pain. Good news, I have some answers.

As you know, I had to stop grooming larger doggies. Unfortunately this remains the same. And ive had to make the decision to make this permanent 😞

After many, many months of being messed around. Finally, an MRI was ordered...

My shoulder is a mess to say the least. I'll be having a shoulder reconstruction on 30th July.

This will mean some real time off work. I have already been slowly getting the message out there.
I will be updating over the next couple of months when I have a more solid plan in place.

Im sorry i dont have better news for some of you 😔

Much love,
Mel 🙏❤️

20/10/2025

MOST RECENT UPDATE from The Doggy House

So for the past few weeks ive been working, trialling little doggies. Just a couple a day!

Before we all get excited... haha I need to mention my neck/ shoulder issue is still very much a problem. There's been minimal progress over all.. im still seeing my physio twice a week (costing me an absolute fortune haha) as it does offer some relief. Further investigation is needed to properly diagnose what is actually wrong. It's quite clear there's a problem..

Not working is just not an option for me. So ive decided to return to work... I can only groom little doggos.
So the larger babies, unfortunately my arm is not up for the task. Just too painful. Larger doggies require larger range of repetitive motion over a period of roughly 2-4 hours (depending on grooming needs) My neck and arm just cant cope.

Most of the larger doggies i groom, ive already touched base with the owners. And explained that I cant pamper their babies for the time being.
If anyone is unsure, then please reach out and ask.
For everyone else.. I still have all your babies tentative bookings in my diary, so you will hear from me as the days, weeks approach!

Im happy to say that im "some what back" but will be much happier when I can welcome ALL of my pampered furbabies back!!

Thank you all again for your never ending support. This really has been a challenging time in many ways and im so ever grateful for you all sticking this out with me.

Much love,
Mel 🙏❤️🐾

19/10/2025

🤣

It’s small but mighty 😆

17/10/2025

For my "Little one" mama Mia 😢🩷🙏🐾

06/10/2025

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I've been a little quiet of late!

Just to let you know, I haven't officially returned to work but am currently trialling a few doggies on a daily basis. So far ive been doing well.. with smaller doggies. Larger doggies may be a little out of my scope at the moment, as their grooming requires larger range of motion, that my arm isn't quite up for, but I am getting there.

I haven't forgotten any of you that are patiently waiting and desperately needing grooms 🙏 I will do my best to work you all back into a schedule when im able. But please, if you must go elsewhere in the meantime then do so. Dont feel bad.. I understand your pooches need their pampers.

I will keep you all in the loop with my progress..

Thank you again for being so understanding and supportive. Especially as this situation seems to be dragging out.. much longer than anticipated.

Much love,
Mel 🙏❤️🐾

18/09/2025

My Mia is home 🥹🙏🩷

18/09/2025

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Hi Everyone,

Physio unfortunately hasn't cleared me for work so at this stage its another week of no work. He will reassess this end of next week. I will update you all then.

As mentioned, if your pooch cant wait for my return, please dont feel bad if you must go elsewhere. I do understand. I just feel bad I cant do it at the moment.

Wish I had better news 😞
Im very eager to get back to work!

Much love,
Mel 🙏❤️🐾