Little Shop Of Howlers

09/03/2026

Fall cleanup for this sweet kitty. Lots of matting means a short trim is easiest and most comfortable to start over with.

08/28/2026

This handsome man came to us the first time with muzzle already on and mom was worried he would be rather opinionated about his spa day. Very quickly we realized he was very well behaved. Now he even seems to enjoy his groomings. Notice the times he looks back at us and licks his lips. It’s a calming signal. He’s looking for a little support and understanding but acceptance of the process.

About halfway through he really enjoys the dryer massage on his rump and sort of wiggles and leans into it. Grooming so often feels good even if they’re not super excited about the process.

Notice too how we see every inch of his skin. So often we as pet parents never see all the way down to the skin in all the nooks and crannies. If there’s any irritation or skin issues we are able to see it often very early on.

These are two reasons we promote a regular grooming schedule:
1) comfort and confidence grows with routine
2) get eyes on hard to see areas to catch health issues early on.

08/02/2026

Good boy, Cyrus! Dogs are just the best! 🥰🥰

07/26/2026

This is what we’ve been saying. Shaving isn’t the problem it exposes the problem and sometimes it’s irreversible.

Shaving didn't ruin your double-coated dog's coat. Something else did.

The pet community loves to blame groomers, Hell Groomers blame groomers for "coat funk" — like a razor alone can permanently damage a coat. On my table, I've shaved a lot of double-coated dogs over the years — Poms, Huskies, Chows, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Malamutes — and very few haven't grown their coat back normally. That lines up with what veterinary dermatology actually says: true permanent alopecia after clipping is rare, and when regrowth stalls past 6-12 months, an underlying health issue is usually the more likely explanation — not the clippers.

Hair grows in 3 phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting/shedding). A healthy dog cycles through these on schedule. But several things can stall that cycle — often BEFORE there's any obvious sign something's wrong:

- Hypothyroidism — low thyroid hormone, often symmetrical thinning
- Cushing's disease — excess cortisol, thin skin, pot-bellied look
- Alopecia X — a hormonal imbalance especially common in plush-coated breeds like Poms, Chows, Huskies, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, and Malamutes (this is what "coat funk" usually actually is)
- Nutrient deficiencies — hair is nearly all protein, so a diet low in quality protein, zinc, or essential fatty acids (omega-3/6) can slow or stall regrowth entirely. This is a big one for dogs on poorly balanced homemade or trendy diets.
- Kidney or liver disease — chronic illness diverts the body's resources away from "non-essential" things like hair
- Chronic stress or illness — can shift hairs into the resting phase early, just like it does in people

The coat just... stops. Shaving doesn't cause that. It reveals it.

So before you blame the groomer, ask: was there ever a thyroid panel run? A full bloodwork panel? Has the diet actually been evaluated? Because 9 times out of 10, the dog that "never grew its coat back" had one of these the whole time — the haircut just made it visible.

Groomers aren't vets. But we see coats up close, every day, in a way most vets never do. We're often the first ones to notice something's off.

Do you want to change my mind? 👇

07/18/2026

Love this.

07/17/2026

Just look at this all-American beauty! Isn’t she lovely?

07/16/2026

My boyfriend’s back in town after wintering down south. We’ve missed each other!

07/13/2026

Thanks for sharing Kaylie! Just a reminder if you need a place to get cool you are welcome at our shop. We’ve got seating for 4 or bring your own comfy chair. All pets must be leashed or in a carrier. Don’t stay home in the heat if you don’t have AC.

🔥🐾 CONNECTICUT HEAT WAVE ALERT 🐾🔥

Dangerous heat is expected across Connecticut Tuesday & Wednesday, with heat index values reaching 100–103°F.

Please help keep your dogs safe during this extreme heat:

🐶 Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening.
💧 Always bring plenty of fresh water.
🌳 Take frequent breaks in the shade.
🔥 Remember: If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
🚗 Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle—not even for a minute.

Heat stroke can happen quickly and is a life-threatening emergency.

Let’s work together to keep our four-legged family members safe during this heat wave. Please share this post to help spread the word and protect dogs across Connecticut. ❤️🐾

CT Dog Gone Recovery
Helping Lost Dogs Find Their Way Home

07/10/2026

Before and after of a cutie pie.