10/19/2026
A Reminder to My Fellow Groomers — Never Take Safety for Granted. 🐾❤️
This weekend was a very unexpected and painful reminder of just how quickly things can change when working with animals.
As professional groomers, we understand that bites, nips, and mouthing can be part of our profession. We work with animals every day, learning to read their body language, recognize discomfort, and adjust our handling accordingly.
But sometimes, there is no obvious warning.
Within moments of stepping out of Kurbie, my mobile grooming van, I was attacked by a dog I had previously groomed. A dog familiar with me, in an environment familiar to him. There was no obvious indication in those moments that things were about to change.
And yet, in seconds, they did.
The result? Multiple puncture wounds to both arms, stitches, an entire day spent in emergency, specialist appointments in Calgary, and an anticipated 6–8 weeks of recovery.
Beyond the physical injuries, 15 dogs needed to be rescheduled, along with the inconvenience and disruption this created for the wonderful clients who had entrusted me with their care.
My reason for sharing this is not to place blame. It is simply to remind others of a few very important things.
🐾 Never assume that because you’ve worked with a dog before, the next interaction will be the same.
🐾 Never assume that arriving at a familiar property means everyone shares the same understanding of safety.
🐾 Remain vigilant, even when a dog appears calm, comfortable, or familiar with you.
🐾 Remember that animals can react instinctively, and circumstances can change faster than we can respond.
🐾 Your safety matters just as much as the care and compassion you provide to the animals entrusted to you.
I consider myself fortunate. As painful and disruptive as this has been, I know the outcome could have been far worse.
I love what I do. I love the animals I have the privilege of working with, and this experience hasn’t changed that.
But it has certainly reminded me that compassion and caution must always go hand in hand.
To my fellow groomers, please look after yourselves. We spend so much of our time caring for the animals in front of us that sometimes we forget how vulnerable we can be.
Stay aware. Stay vigilant. And never take a familiar situation for granted. ❤️
Morrie | State of the Heart Canine Grooming 🐾
