07/23/2026
Last weekend, Sammy and I traveled to Colorado Springs for the Rocky Mountain Groom Expo and competed in our first ever creative grooming competition!
We didn’t come home with a win, but honestly, I still feel like I won.
After the competition, the judges pulled me aside and told me not to quit. They said they were incredibly impressed that I’ve only been grooming for four years and that this was my first competition. Hearing that from them, along with all the encouragement from the other creative groomers, meant more than I can explain. It made me even more excited to keep learning and competing.
Our theme was Disney Pixar’s Inside Out, with Anxiety taking over Sammy’s head… because if you know Sammy, you know that couldn’t have been more fitting. 😂
This trip was a huge milestone for him too. He handled his first 10-hour road trip there and back like an absolute rockstar. He came with me everywhere: restaurants, classes, the expo, and even sat through eight hours of seminars without a single problem. He quietly laid under tables, greeted people politely, and reminded me just how far he’s come.
A huge thank you to Marissa at A Peaceful Pack. None of this would have been possible without the work she’s put into helping Sammy become the confident dog he is today.
I also learned so much outside of the competition and had such a great time experiencing it all with my coworkers at Bows & Bones. We took a pet safety certification course, attended an incredible seminar with Malinda Hall Malone The Frontline Coalition on recognizing potential medical conditions in dogs, and I got to meet Jess Rona Grooming and watch her groom in person, which was such a cool experience.
Of course, we made time for some fun too. We ate lunch inside an airplane, Sammy got to check out the cockpit, and after the competition, we celebrated by getting dirty in a creek.
I’m so grateful to everyone who encouraged me this weekend. This was just the beginning, and I already can’t wait for the next competition. 💜🐩