Message From
The Artful Groomer

Happy Halloween, all! For those of you looking for a last-minute Halloween accessory for your pup, be sure to check out my Halloween Dog Collars. It's just as good an excuse as any to involve your dog's in the festivities! You can purchase these online and select "Will Pick Up" for pick-up as late as next Friday.

Many of you have asked about those annoying, and sometimes troubling, skin irritations that your dog occasionally experiences. While I am not a vet or skin expert, there are some common conditions that I will be publishing info on over the course of the next few months and will be available, free, in my shop to take home.

Reminder: Our grooming prices increase effective November 1, 2009.  These increases are to cover operational costs (heating & air conditioning costs, grooming supplies, etc.)  The majority of increases will be $2 per groom.  However there are a few breed/coat types that will increase based on the time it takes to groom your dog – e.g., larger dogs or those that require additional hand-scissoring – by up to $10.  Don't forget my Canine Care Program, which provides a free groom on your 8th visit, helping keep prices affordable for all. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how these increases might affect you at 941-240-1686.

I encourage all of you to email me with topics you'd like to see covered in future newsletters - after all, this newsletter was designed to be informative and entertaining

Feature Story
Anal Glands: To Express or Not to Express, That is the Question

Many of you have asked the question, “Do you do anal glands?” Potential clients have declined booking with me because I do not provide this service. So I decided to do some research on the subject to determine whether I should consider offering anal gland expression.  Well, it didn’t take me long to decide that I won’t be adding this service any time soon, either. “Why,” you might ask, “do you have a problem with doing this? Up to this point, I wasn’t trained to do this, but now I thought that maybe I’d better learn. Through research, I came to better understand why and when a dog’s anal gland’s should be expressed. 

Now that I am educated enough to offer an explanation, along with a new reason for not offering this service, I thought I'd share my findings with you.  As I suspected, a dog’s anal glands really do not need to be done on a routine basis. In fact, it’s detrimental to your dog’s health when done without cause!

Let me tell you, I watched WAY too many videos showing anal glands being expressed, many of them by the dog owners themselves. After realizing that this was something I really didn’t want to do, I was enlightened by a vet’s video that confirmed what many of my fellow groomer’s were trying to tell me. It also helped me realize that groomer’s really shouldn’t be expressing anal glands as if it were a hygenic need, anyway.

Ghost Halloween Dog Collar

Bats Halloween Dog Collar
Spiders Halloween Dog Collar

Do Dogs Feel Guilt?

You know the look - head slumped between shoulders, puppy dog eyes, ears down, etc. When our dog has done something unacceptable and we've scolded them, their reaction convinces us that they got the message because they look guilty, right? Well, I came across a great article regarding whether our dogs feel guilt when they have misbehaved, and thought I'd share.

For the complete story, click here.

Coming Soon to The Artful Canine

As many of you know, I've been real busy developing new styles and products for The Artful Canine. With the Holidays around the corner, I've got some new and exciting products and styles in the works that I thought I'd share ...

New Designs! Be on the look-out in the next few weeks for some new designs for puppy and adult dogs that I think you'll love! holiday designs will be available by Mid-November.

Wedding Dog Collars, for those who's dog is also invited to the wedding! Since so many pups are an integral part of the family, many people now include their dog in the bridal party or as mascot to their blissful event. So of course, the dog has got to be Artfully Dressed!

New Exclusive designs that you will only find through the Artful Canine. The motifs are fashionable, trendy, designed exclusively by us! You'll just love 'em when you see them!

Harnesses and Poop Dispensers! Yes, I've finally realized, after so many requests, that it's time to add matching harnesses and dispensers to the product line. So keep your eyes peeled for my easy-on harness due out this December.

News, Tips, and Upcoming Events

WIth Halloween around the corner, let me remind everyone of the dangers that candy, particular chocolate, poses to your four-footed friend. For a complete list of food no-no's, click here.

Some of the local events going on next month are Charlotte's Party in the Park event benefiting the Animal Welfare League, And The Suncoast Humane Society's Jingle Bell Walk.

For more events and details, check out my News & Events page on my website. It’s updated regularly with dog events and news both locally and nationally.  You can add this page to your favorites or RSS Feed so that you’re getting the latest info on what’s happening locally and nationally in the world of dogs!

The Artful Canine Email Sweeps - August Winner

Congratulations to our August Winner, Emily R. of California, and her canine companion MoonDoggie the Dalmatian! Emily Chose our Celtic Dog Collar and Leash in Red as her prize.

If you're a patron of The Artful Groomer or you like The Artful Canine's products, then share this email with your friends and encourage them to sign up! As an added incentive to gain new subscribers, we will be giving away a FREE collar & leash set every month. So spread the word!

In Memory of Mugsy

Mugsy, who was our very first customer, passed away this past month on September 23. Mugsy was a sweet little Shih Tzu who brought lots of joy to his owner Joyce and to the many people who knew him. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Joyce and her family. We will keep the memory of Mugsy alive and near to our hearts forever.