SWFeral Loc: SWNM

My business partner and I just wrapped up more than 34 years of dog grooming. We are excited, exhausted, apprehensive, thrilled, scared, and mostly proud of the business we created. We are both successful and popular because we have always treated clients respectfully and their dogs kindly. These last few months have been tough and touching as we say goodbye to people we have known for years, even decades. Many tears have been shed, including some of our own. One woman told us, "You have taken care of my family since I was a little girl coming in with my grandmother and her dog.". Yesterday a man said, "You know you're my favorite people on the planet.". Another woman simply said, "You will be missed by the community. You're an institution."

Enough of that. I thought you'd get a kick out of seeing some of our little customers, at least the ones I've caught on various cell phones over the years. Unlike my "serious" images my phone shots are scandalously over-the-top in their processing, just because it amuses me to do it.

I hope you enjoy these. Many of you probably grew weary of my icy scenes over the winter, so these may be a welcome change. At least the subjects are warm.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I'll bet that many of your canine customers will miss you the most. Congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy your next career, that of a retired senior.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Admired some and laughed at others. Congrats on your retirement. Do hope you enjoy it. Think about another canine companion?

Susan yamakawa

Sweetness

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Congratulations on your retirement!! You have definitely earned it. Very nice photos of your doggie customers!! I know you will miss them.

I agree with NMGal that it is time for you to get a new hiking buddy; we all know you will be doing a lot more hiking.

Dodie

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Congratulations on your retirement!

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you. I don't feel old but I suppose I am a senior. I hope this doesn't mean I am expected to grow up. Ain't happenin'.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Surely you don't mean the Mohawk, or the glasses? Those were very serious efforts. Thank you for your good wishes! It's been almost three years since Ted died and I still haven't eased into the idea of another dog. But if I get one, my friends here will be the first to know.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Mostly they are very sweet. They don't always start out that way, and some sulk for the fun of it to upset their owners, but mostly our dog clients have been agreeable. Thank you for looking.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thanks, Dodie. I probably will miss them, or some of them, but it really is time for me to do other things. My body is pleading with me. Grooming has probably kept me in better shape than a lot of other careers but at some point the balance shifted and the message became clear--"You're too old for this!" But I'm not too old to hike. Hiking buddy? Hmm...we shall see. Last one didn't like hiking, remember?

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

Thank you very much. I think it will be the best part of my life.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Love your mixture of canine images both normal and quirky. It must have been very rewarding spending all that time up close and persoal with so many different dogs. Hope you both enjoy retirement.

SWFeral Loc: SWNM

It was rewarding. Being trusted to work with someone's dog is an honor, which doesn't mean it was all fun and games. It was a good business that supported us adequately.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Fun shots. I've been retired for over 20 years now. Retirement is not all it's cracked up to be--It's a whole lot better than that

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Congratulations!!