Just Fetching
128 East 22nd St L8V2v6 Hamilton, ON, Canada

Apparently I'm in a mood to take pictures today. This is Woolf and all her hair. I love doing blown out handstrips. The hair pulls so easily and it's so refreshing all finished. (And she's happy. I just couldn't get her ears up because no matter what I did she flattened them and wiggled. It's a I want you to pet me flat. Not a, "I'm angry" flat.)

Waiting to go home!

So, despite what the order says apparently Hamilton By-law says any grooming an owner can't perform themselves is permissible in the city. (And other bylaws in the province have flipped to being more lenient as well) With this information, I will be making phone calls tomorrow to discuss booking.

Hello with another little FYI from my maternity leave: Unfortunately, it's starting to look clear that the new Ontario Shut Down measures starting December 26th will be closing groomers for 4 weeks. It's due to expire January 23rd. In grey zone/lockdown grooming is permitted but this shut down is not the same and while at first it seemed perhaps grooming would be permitted by curbside, it's becoming clear now that it is not. Even the OVMA has ordered vets to not allow regular... grooming. This does not currently affect my reopening unless they extend the order. Fingers crossed after the 4 weeks we will move back to the old framework. I'm hoping your dog will get a new brush for Christmas! Cheers, Nicole

Hello from my maternity leave! I'm just posting a little FYI: I'm sure you've heard, Hamilton is moving into lockdown on Monday. Groomers are still allowed to operate this time, unlike the previous lockdown. They are on the list of permitted services. (Doesn't mean groomers are essential, but they are permitted.) So don't panic, whoever has been taking care of your dog in my absence will still be booking appointments and I will be back in February as planned.... Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! Cheers! -Nicole

Hazel Grace Ng made her way into this world Monday, August 3rd 2020. 7lbs 6oz. There was some drama around the birth but both baby and myself are doing well and happy to be home with our loved ones. Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather!... See you in February! Hopefully by then I am able to sleep again! See more

Today is my last day for the next little while. Thank you so much for being understanding and supportive! I will miss the dogs but I am definitely ready to take some time off for our new addition. I will do my best to check my emails and phone messages weekly if you need to contact me for advice or anything else of that nature.... I will post an update when baby #2 is finally here. Hope you all stay well! Cheers! -Nicole

I am just finishing up 6 hours of phone calls and emails and I am changing my phone so now if you call I will do my best to answer. If you haven't heard from me and you expected to I may have missed you on my list, your voicemail may have been full, or I left you a message and you just haven't seen it yet. Please try calling me again when you are next available. The number of inquiries have been overwhelming, so if I did miss you I apologize profusely and will do my best to f...ind time to fit you in. If you're a new client looking to inquire, please be advised due to limited availability I will not have space for you until I return from maternity leave in February of 2021. Sorry for any inconveniences. I look forward to this craziness all being over and I will talk to you soon.

The government has announced we are allowed to resume services starting Tuesday the 19th. I still have a few details to work out, but I'm hoping I can start to make calls this Saturday to get people booked in for the following week. If you want on the waitlist and aren't already on it call and leave a message. I still won't be actively answering my phone until I'm more organized but I will add your name to my list and get back to you when I can. ... Details on new procedures and what to expect will come soon as well. Hope to talk to you soon! -Nicole

I'm getting a fair number of inquiries, so here's an update: I'm still closed according to the mandate. Ford's office, the 888 line, and Hamilton Bylaw and MPPs have been clear that grooming is a service, not retail, and thus must remain closed. ... (Hence why no grooming happening at PetSmart yet either. They are the ones with the big lawyers in this.) I can tell you, that I am preparing to open when it is allowed: - I have an order of reusable masks coming - I have a plan in place for safe handling that will follow OVMA guidelines - I have arranged someone to watch Nora* - I have the okay from my midwife to work* *These two points could change at anytime as they update public recommendations in relation to the virus Sorry, that's still the best I can tell you for now. If you had an appointment I had to cancel or you have contacted me wanting on my waitlist I will call you once I know I can book appointments. I hope you all stay well and hopefully I will be talking to you soon! -Nicole

So, I've had a fair number of people asking when I will re-open. Here's the thing. I don't know. Current date for the end of the emergency measures is May 12th.... However, it's safe to assume, if they do allow us to re-open, there will be a list of requirements for safe social distancing I will have to get set up to adhere to. Then, I will also have to decide if arranging childcare for my 1 year old is worth the risk, as well as I have to discuss with my midwife about risks to myself and my pregnancy. So much is changing so quickly it's really hard to plan ahead. I am following the news on current conditions and will update when I actually know what is happening. I can't even predict at this time if I will be shortening my maternity leave, which might be something I decide I need to do. I'm simply trying to take things day by day and adjust to current conditions as they come. If we are allowed to re-open but I am not able to, I will post a list of groomers I know personally who I would be comfortable refering you to. Feel free to email me with any home maintenance questions you may have and I will do the best I can to advise you. [email protected] Sorry I can't provide more concrete answers at this time. I hope you all stay safe and I really hope to be able to see you soon. Nicole

Closure of non-essential services has been extended until April 13th. I will be calling to cancel more appointments this afternoon.

Nail trimming: Something is better than nothing They seem to be suggesting we will be down and out until the end of May so I'll share some tips and tricks to hopefully get you by until we are back and running. If you have any questions or suggestions for other things you may want advice for please comment and I will answer when I can. I was actually going to try to make my own video on how to trim your dog's nails but it wasn't working out so instead here is video someone els...e made that I think could be helpful: https://youtu.be/8vk_NbzFUc8 Tips I would add: - If you don't have styptic powder like Kwik stop, you can use flour. It's not as good but it works in a pinch. Just apply pressure to the end of the nail for bit with the flour on. - Personally, I dislike holding the dog's nails out in front on them with the dog laying or sitting because the angle means you are likely to cut off more than you intend to. Ideally, you can hold the dogs legs in a natural position under them. I think that's much better, but do whatever works. -If you have a helper, hold the dogs collar up under their jaw bone (so pressure towards the ceiling, like they do with show dogs). This will keep you from putting pressure on the neck and choking the dog. Try it on yourself. Place your hand under your jaw bone and push up vs pushing backwards. One is comfortable the other is not. - I can't stress this enough, try to hold your dogs leg in a way that is natural to them. Don't pull their legs really high or way out behind them unless they do it to themselves. Some dogs have legs that are not straight. Trying to force a bowed leg out straight will cause discomfort. It's not the end of the world if you do, but you could be creating a battle that you could have avoided. - Use the least amount of force you need. Don't hold the dogs paw in a firm grip unless you need to. If you go in ready for a fight it is more likely you will get one. -Try to avoid reaching directly over the dog if you can. Some dogs you have to, but for me it's always the last thing I try. It may seem comforting to a human, but to a dog it can seem threatening l. - Use your knee and shoulder to help support a large dog in a standing position while you trim their back nails. Put one knee under their belly, and use your shoulder to help support their butt. - If your dog is behaving thank them. If you finish a foot tell them they were good. It's weird but I always do.