Polar Clipping

One of my least favorite jobs is to clip Polar Bear, my standard poodle.  I have been clipping my poodles for probably thirty years.  Started with Teddy Bear because I could not find anyone willing to do the job at a reasonable rate.  Apparently poodles who do not like to be clipped can make it very hard for the groomer… like putting all their weight towards  the groomer so it is extra hard to work.  

Polar is my latest clipper hating poodle.  I tried to take her to the groomer’s when we first adopted her because I thought it would be less stressful as she was just getting used to us.  I didn’t want to make her fearful of us if we tried to clip her.  Well, after two hours, the groomer called and said she gave up.  Polar just howled the whole time.

Back to me doing it.  She does sorta allow me to work on her.  I have no problem with the back, neck, butt, even the belly.  What she hates the most is the face and legs.  Especialy the feet.  Now I know why, when we adopted her, she was short all over but her feet were shaggy

It takes me hours because she fights so much.  Right now I am about 75% done.  I’m covered in hair clippings, and waiting to get her in the mood to start again.  She looks like a very moth-eaten sheep.  I probably look the same.   She is hiding up stairs and won’t come down.

I will say, if I persist, she will look great at the end. 

She is a beautiful animal.   Although spoiled.

It is my first try at adding a photo.  Not sure why it is fuzzy.  The original photo isn’t.