09/03/2026
š¾ THE PAW-PARAZZI FILES š¾
(Sometimes, They Pick You)
When I first started grooming at Petco, I worked alongside a master groomer named Dina who completely amazed me.
She could handle just about any personality you could throw at herāthe timid dogs, the crazy happy wiggle worms, and even the dogs who wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with anybody.
I remember one dog in particular named Sam. Sam was a Pekingese, and Sam had exactly ONE person he trusted: Dina.
You couldnāt walk up to his kennel without him acting like he was ready to eat you alive. You couldnāt talk to him, reach toward him, or even look like you were thinking about touching him.
But Dina?
The second she walked toward his kennel, his entire demeanor changed. His tail would start wagging, and heād happily let her take him out.
I remember one day I thought I had finally cracked the code. I leaned toward Sam, and he leaned toward me like we had suddenly become best friends.
I thought, āI FINALLY GOT HIM!ā
Nope.
I stuck my finger through the kennel door and that little sucker snapped at me through the kennel and scared the living daylights out of me. And because I was offended, I immediately told him, āI didnāt want to pet you anyway!ā š
When really, I absolutely DID want to pet him because he was so cute.
Looking back now, I understand something I didnāt understand then.
That calm, trusting presence that some groomers seem to have with dogs doesnāt just magically come with the job. Itās something you develop over time through experience, knowledge, confidence, and learning how dogs communicate.
And now, years later, I see it in my own salon.
I have dogs who particularly want me. Dogs who wouldnāt let someone else get them out of their kennel, bathe them, or dry them. Dogs who become protective of me when someone comes near my table.
I even have 2 who show their teeth and growl at just about anyone who gets close to themā including my husband and my kids. They donāt want anything from them. They simply want me and only me to be there.
And honestly, when you understand what that trust means, itās pretty incredible.
These dogs have their reasons for choosing the people they trust, and being one of those people is something I will never take for granted. š¤
It truly is one of the most special parts of what I do.
