Sometimes you don't know you're grooming a dog for the last time

Sometimes you don't know you're grooming a dog for the last time. Have you ever had a client come in and wondered if this might be the last time you have ever see them? Sparky, he's a Yorkshire Terrier and he's an old man. He's 15 years and 8 months old to be exact. Which in Yorkie years basically means this man has been paying taxes since the Great Depression. I've been grooming Sparky for about six years now and I've watched him grow old right in front of me. I've watched his eyes get cloudy, his hearing slowly disappear, and now I'm watching his little body start to fail him. So today's visit felt a little different. Every time Sparky comes in, I tell myself, girl, get some footage. You never know if this might be the last time. It's a hard thing to think about that nobody really talks about. You fall in love with these dogs. Some of them come to us as puppies and before we know it, they're growing their gray little faces and helping them stand through appointments they used to dance through. And every time you get that call or text saying one of your senior dogs has crossed the rainbow bridge, it breaks your heart in a way you never really expect. Sparky's legs can't support him very well anymore. So today wasn't about giving him the perfect haircut. It was a comfort groom. I did what his body could handle, worked with what he would allow, and made sure he didn't have to stand or struggle any more than necessary. And you know what? This is as good as it gets today, and that's okay. I love you, Sparky. You have always been such a good boy. I'm glad I recorded you today. I'm glad I'll have this memory, but hopefully, this isn't our goodbye. I'll see you in six weeks, old man.