10/06/2026
🎃🐾 THE CALYPSO’S SCOOP
October 2026 • Spooky Season, Itchy Dogs & Holiday Countdown!
Hey, Calypso’s family!
October is officially here, which means the pumpkins are out, the leaves are falling, and we’re entering the time of year when the biggest things haunting us are…
**FLEAS. TICKS. ITCHY DOGS. AND EAR HAIR.** 👻😂
This month, we’re getting a little spooky with some of the things that can cause trouble for our pets—and talking about what you can do to keep them healthy, comfortable and itch-free.
We’ve also got some exciting things happening at Calypso’s, including our Shampoo Bar, and with the holidays sneaking up FAST, it’s time to start thinking about those holiday grooming appointments!
So grab your coffee, your favorite furry monster, and let’s get into The Calypso’s Scoop!
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🦟 THE FLEAS & TICKS ARE COMING…
Actually… they never really left. 👻
If you thought flea and tick prevention was something you could put away once summer ended, we have some spooky news for you:
YEAR-ROUND PREVENTION IS THE WAY TO GO.
Fleas and ticks don't follow our calendars, and cooler weather doesn't necessarily mean they're gone.
Fleas can survive and reproduce in protected environments—including inside our homes—and ticks can remain active during cooler months.
🐶 WHAT ABOUT DOGS?
Even if your dog spends most of their time on the couch, they still go outside—and one quick trip through the grass can be enough for a tick to hitch a ride.
Consistent prevention helps stop the cycle before you're dealing with an infestation or a tick-borne illness.
🐱 AND YES… EVEN INDOOR CATS!
“But my cat never goes outside!”
We hear this one all the time.
Unfortunately, indoor doesn't always mean parasite-proof.
Fleas can come inside on people, other pets or items that enter the home. Once fleas establish themselves inside, they can be surprisingly difficult to eliminate.
And while indoor cats have a lower risk of ticks than outdoor cats, they aren't completely risk-free.
⚠️ ONE VERY IMPORTANT RULE:
NEVER use a flea or tick product on a cat unless it is specifically labeled for cats.
Some products formulated for dogs can be extremely dangerous to cats.
When choosing a prevention plan, talk with your veterinarian about what product and schedule are appropriate for your pet.
🕷️ CALYPSO’S SPOOKY REMINDER:
**Seeing a flea or tick is not the time to start prevention.**
Prevention works best **before** the creepy crawlies move in! 🦟👻
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😱 WHY CALYPSO’S DOESN’T PLUCK EARS
Yep. We said it.
For years, routinely plucking the hair from inside a dog's ears was considered standard grooming practice—especially for hairy or curly-coated breeds.
But at Calypso's, we don't routinely pluck ear hair.
And there's a reason.
🩸 PLUCKING CAN TRAUMATIZE THE EAR CANAL.
The skin inside the ear canal is delicate. Pulling hairs out by the root can create tiny micro-tears and areas of inflammation in that skin.
Those little injuries can compromise the skin barrier and create an environment where irritation and infection have an easier time getting started.
In other words…
WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE A PROBLEM WHILE TRYING TO PREVENT ONE.
Veterinary dermatology recognizes trauma from hair plucking and aggressive ear cleaning as a potential contributor to inflammation and recurrent ear disease.
👂 SO WHAT DO WE DO INSTEAD?
At Calypso's, our goal is to **keep ears clean, dry and comfortable—not hairless.**
Depending on the individual dog, that may mean:
✂️ Tidying excess hair around the ear
👂 Checking the ears during every groom
🧼 Gentle cleaning when appropriate
🐾 Keeping the ear opening accessible without unnecessarily traumatizing the canal
🩺 Recommending a veterinarian when something doesn't look right
And sometimes, **less is more.**
🚨 WHEN WE WANT YOUR VET INVOLVED
If we see:
• Redness
• Swelling
• Discharge
• A strong or unusual odor
• Excessive wax
• Persistent head shaking
• Scratching
• Pain or sensitivity
We're going to tell you.
**That's a veterinary issue—not something we're going to try to fix by plucking.**
There are situations where a veterinarian may recommend hair removal as part of treating a specific ear problem, but that's very different from routinely plucking every hairy ear simply because the hair is there.
❤️ OUR PHILOSOPHY:
**If we can groom your dog without causing unnecessary trauma, that's the choice we're going to make.**
Your dog's ears don't need to be completely hairless to be healthy.
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🍂 THE FALL ITCHIES
Your dog isn't imagining it!
Fall brings pumpkin spice, crunchy leaves and…
**ALLERGENS. LOTS OF ALLERGENS.**
Grass, weeds, pollen, mold and other environmental allergens can hitch a ride home on your dog's coat and cause problems for dogs with allergies or sensitive skin.
Dogs with environmental allergies often experience their symptoms primarily through their **skin**, resulting in itching, redness and inflammation.
And while bathing isn't a cure for allergies, it can be an important first line of defense.
🛁 BATHING = LESS STUFF ON THE SKIN
Regular bathing with an appropriate dog shampoo can help remove allergens from the coat and skin before they have as much opportunity to contribute to irritation.
Think of it like washing the pollen off your hands after spending the afternoon in the garden.
BUT WHICH SHAMPOO?
That's where things get REALLY fun…
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🧴 WELCOME TO THE SHAMPOO BAR!
Pick your potion. 🧪✨
Remember that retail makeover we've been teasing?
Well, one of the things we're most excited about is finally here:
**THE CALYPSO’S SHAMPOO BAR**
Why buy an entire bottle of shampoo when you aren't sure how your going to like it?
Now you can **try before you buy!**
Come check out our selection of shampoos and explore which one might be the right fit for your pet's coat and skin.
⭐ Our Favorite for the fall itchies?
**NEXDERMA**
For our itchy, allergy-prone friends, **Nexderma is one of our preferred shampoos.**
We love having options because not every skin is the same and not every dog needs the same shampoo.
Our Shampoo Bar gives you a chance to learn, sniff, compare and find the products that work best for your pet.
And, of course, we're always happy to help you navigate the choices!
🧴 SHAMPOO BAR TIP!
If your dog has persistent itching, redness, odor, sores or recurring ear problems, shampoo alone may not be enough. That's when it's time to involve your veterinarian.
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🎃 THE HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN IS ON!
And your groomer's calendar knows it. 👀
We blinked…
…and suddenly the holidays are practically here!
🎃 26 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN
Saturday, October 31
🦃 52 DAYS UNTIL THANKSGIVING
Thursday, November 26
🕎 60 DAYS UNTIL HANUKKAH
Begins at sundown Friday, December 4
🎄 81 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 25
That means it's officially time to start thinking about those holiday grooming appointments.
If your pup needs to be fresh and fluffy for:
📸 Halloween pictures
🦃 Thanksgiving guests
🕎 Hanukkah celebrations
🎄 Christmas gatherings
🎁 Family photos
**PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!**
Holiday appointments have a habit of disappearing faster than the Halloween candy.
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📅 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Upcoming Calypso’s closures and bonus days!
We're taking some time to recharge and get ready for the holiday season, so please keep these dates handy when planning your pet's appointments.
🍂 NOVEMBER
**CLOSED NOVEMBER 13–18**
🦃 THANKSGIVING WEEK
OPEN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Then we will be CLOSED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26
🎄 CHRISTMAS WEEK
OPEN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Then we'll be CLOSED DECEMBER 24–27
🥂 NEW YEAR’S
DECEMBER 31 — HALF DAY
JANUARY 1 — CLOSED
We'll be back and ready to start the new year with you and your furry family members!
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🐾 FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS…
October is always a little bit spooky around here—but the only thing we really want haunting your house this fall is a cute Halloween decoration.
Not fleas.
Not ticks.
Not itchy skin.
And definitely not an angry, irritated ear. 😂
We're excited about everything happening at Calypso's—from our Shampoo Bar and expanded retail section, to all the ways we're helping our clients keep their pets healthier and happier all year long.
Thank you for continuing to trust us with your furry family members, supporting our small business and letting us do what we love every single day.
❤️ WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE SALON!
Until then…
Stay spooky. Stay safe. Keep those pets protected.
And remember:
🐾 A CLEAN DOG IS A HAPPY DOG.
🧴 A WELL-MAINTAINED COAT IS A HEALTHIER COAT.
🦟 AND FLEAS ARE NEVER INVITED TO THE PARTY.
With love, muddy paw prints, shampoo suds & probably a little dog hair,
🐾 THE CALYPSO’S CREW
Terri and Ali
Where grooming is more than just a haircut.
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