Grooming by Erica

08/26/2026

Swipe to see Clover’s glow up 🤩🍀

08/25/2026

Daisys first time being Poodle-ified! 🐩 🌼

08/24/2026

The first time shouldn’t be when you HAVE to do it.

There’s something stuck in between their toes.
An ear that suddenly droops and they’re shaking their head.
There’s a sore patch buried under all that fur that you need to get a proper look at.
Maybe that eye needs a bit of an inspection.

But right now?
The vet needs you to keep their head still for just a moment.

That’s a pretty difficult time to discover your dog really doesn’t like having their head kept still.
Or their ears lifted.
Or somebody looking closely at their eyes.

Maybe they’ve never really had any handling?

Because now it matters.
And perhaps it hurts too.

We practice so many things with our dogs that they'll use throughout their lives.

Sit.
Wait.
Come.

But there are other crucial skills that might sit in our minds that we don’t act on, but know we should.

Handling is one of those “I really should start” skills to have.

It can literally be seconds.
Lift an ear. Reward. Finished.
Hold a paw. Reward. Finished.
Part the fur and have a quick look at the skin. Reward. Finished.
Briefly hold the muzzle. Reward. Finished.

Then, once those things are easy, we can gradually make them a little more realistic.

Hold for slightly longer.
Look between the toes.
Bring a warm damp cloth near an ear maybe even make contact.
Reward.
Finished again.

All these wee rehearsals for things that may one day matter.

And there's another important bit.

Your dog doesn't need to prove they can tolerate it.
If they're becoming uncomfortable, stop.

Go back.
Make the next attempt much easier.

Because the goal here isn't to see how much handling they'll put up with all at once.
It's to make the handling itself increasingly familiar, predictable and normal.

Because if the day comes when you really do need to help them?
Or they need to see the vet?

It won't be the first time.
It’s just “another” time.

Every dog seems to have their own “absolutely not” bit, sometimes for reasons we’d never have guessed.

08/23/2026

🏥 Updated version of a post from May, with corrections readers sent in.

The biggest one came from the comments: several people pointed out that a veterinary teaching hospital is often more expensive than a regular vet, not less, and that many have service-area limits. They are right, and the original post was too loose on that.

Here is the accurate version. A teaching hospital is a referral center, so it can cost less than a private specialty hospital and more than a general practice, and many require a referral from your own vet first.

Six in ten pet owners told the ASPCA in March 2026 that they are not confident they could afford a medical emergency for their pet.

What makes vet bills hard is that the decision is emotional and time-sensitive, so most people go straight to how do I pay this. The better first question is what care does my pet actually need today, and what can safely wait.

Ask for an itemized estimate before approving treatment, and ask which line items are urgent stabilization and which are recommended follow-up, because labs, imaging, and hospitalization can sometimes be delayed or done elsewhere for less.

Ask the clinic about its own hardship or care fund before you look outward, since in-house funds tend to move fastest.

Then call local humane societies, rescues, and breed-specific groups, understanding that many are stretched thin right now, so ask early and ask several rather than counting on one.

National grant programs like The Pet Fund and RedRover Relief exist, but they are income-based, application-driven, and frequently out of money, which is why they belong in the plan rather than at the center of it.

If financing is necessary, CareCredit's promotional rate only works if you pay the full balance before the deadline, because missing it by one day backdates interest to the original purchase date at the full rate.

Scratchpay does not carry deferred interest, though APRs still vary by plan, so read the specific offer rather than the brand.

And if the debt would create a second emergency for your household, say that directly to your vet, because honest conversations about limits lead to better options than silence does.

What worked when you faced one of these bills?

P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.

R.J. Weiss, CFP®



The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.

08/23/2026

Someone take this lovely young lady in before I rent an apartment so I can adopt her myself without having to tell Todd 😭😂

08/19/2026

08/11/2026

Throwback to baby Erica almost 10 YEARS ago 😅😅 when I completed a course at Starwood Dog Grooming School in Bangkok, Thailand! Until now, this was my most recent foray into furthering my dog grooming education. This year so far I’ve been fortunate enough to attend seminars in NL as well as in Alberta, all taught by talented groomers with endless knowledge and expertise. I also went through the process of becoming a Certified Canine Esthetician which has already proved to be immensely helpful in providing top notch care to all my pups!
However, I still feel there is so much more I can learn and so much more I can do for all the dogs in my care. That’s why this year I have my sights set on becoming an internationally certified Master Groomer! This means hours of school work as well as practical grooming exams, which will undoubtedly cut into my grooming hours. I STRONGLY advise my clients to prebook their grooming appointments a few months in advance, if not for the whole year. Priority will be given to those on a regular grooming schedule and I will be providing referrals for any clients I am unable to fit in as my schedule becomes more limited. I am incredibly grateful for the support each and every one of you has shown me, and most of all for your trust with your precious furry family members 🩷 Everything I do is for them!

07/29/2026

What an INCREDIBLE weekend at Mastergroom Canada in Red Deer, Alberta! I learned so much from all of the incredible groomers they had speaking at their seminars. I was lucky enough to watch the best groomers in Canada compete just before they take home the gold at the World Team Grooming Championship in September! I met many amazing people and even more amazing dogs 🥰 It was an incredible experience and I’ll be counting down the days until I can do it all again next year! 🎉

07/26/2026

We don’t learn good behaviours through fear. We simply learn how to avoid consequences and to appease.

Fear in our dogs is not always taken seriously, with so many videos floating round social media that get a few laughs.

We wouldn’t laugh if a child cowered in fear. We would take action, show concern and the same should go for our dogs.

We have the power to motivate, provide clarity and guide. We should never waste that on scare tactics or intimidation.

Find exercises with a gentle approach on the membership.

07/25/2026

Today was my first full day at Mastergroom Canada ! 🇨🇦 I attended three seminars today of people whose names I know but never imagined I would be lucky enough to attend one of their workshops. I browsed all of the products available from my tried and true favourites to things I’ve never heard of or always wanted to try! It has been incredible and invigorating to spend the day surrounded by likeminded people, who share a passion for making dogs look and feel beautiful and loved. Above all, I have genuinely never seen so many FUNKY dogs in one place and it has been AMAZING so far. I can’t wait to bring home everything I learn to your pups! 🐶