Well, tomorrow is the big day. Pappy and Pistol are finally getting their long awaited haircuts. Their appt's are at 10:30 and she said they should be done around 1:30.

I am planning on giving them some "Sleepy-Time Tonic" - similar to Rescue Remedy. But I was also wondering, with Pistol about giving him some Slippery Elm. Since stress tends to cause him to have digestive upset, I just wondered if giving him some of it prior to the stress, might protect his tummy. Any thoughts?

I still can't decide about feeding them breakfast. They generally eat around 10:00. I could give them a "light" breakfast or just skip it.... don't know which would be best.

My groomer recommends not feeding them breakfast. Can you imagine what Oliver thinks of that? But he survives just fine waiting for his food.

I can't wait to see pictures. Don't forget to get some "before" shots.

My dogs poop after breakfast like clockwork, so I'd feed them early (maybe 8 or 9), poo them and send them. Food/full tummies decrease stress, so I wouldn't make my dogs wait til after. I am unable to fast dogs even for one meal.That says a lot more about ME and my relationship to food than anything to do with dogs though . My dogs are going to be stressed but they won't crap on the grooming table or anything.

My guys usually poop first thing when they get up. Then they eat and don't poop again until late afternoon or early evening. I think I will offer their food early around 8:00 - not sure they will eat that early, but if they don't I won't worry about it. I'm mainly concerned about their stress when they get there. I know I'm being silly and they will be fine - I will probably be more stressed than they will.

Good luck I would give slippery elm on a as needed basis. Your appointment is late enough that if you do decide to feed at 8 that shouldn't be a problem. Remember to exercise them before taking in and make sure they do their "duties" De-stress yourself and don't give off any negative vibes, dogs feed off their owners anxiety in situations like this. Hand your dogs over to the groomer so Pappy and Pistol know you are "releasing" them to this stranger and trust this new person. Greet the groomer in a friendly relaxed manner. We have had many owners which my Sister has retrained how they drop off their dogs and the dogs general well being has improved 80% just by an owner who is happy and not upset. Pappy and Pistol will feel a great deal more relaxed and better about everything if you show them there is nothing to worry about

Post pictures, I will try to look at them even though I still have super slow dial up

Well, we are back and they survived. They said Pappy did really well on the table and Pistol was.........well a Pistol. She said everytime they took one out of the crate the one left in the crate did some fussing, which I would have expected. Overall, I think they did fine.

I will post pictures in a little while. Right now they are snoozing. Pistol looks really good. Pappy - well, I really wish we had left him longer - especially his legs. I didn't realize how skinny he was. He looks very lanky now. She had a little dog on the table when we got there who she had clipped short like this and he looked so cute, so I said - let's do that - now I am regretting it with Pappy. BUT, it will grow and now I know what I will want next time. I really like both of the gals in the shop. It is a "salon style shop". Your dog's appointment is "his" appointment. They don't do assembly line style so that was good. There was only one other dog there and the other gal was doing him. It really looks like a barber shop when you go in. It is all in one room - the crates, the grooming tables and the bath area. In fact, I think it use to be a small barber shop. Anyway, I'm glad it'done. .

If all three of you had a good experience, you're well ahead of the game. Tweaks to the style are easy to make; it's finding a groomer you trust that is the challenge.