I am a useless mother

[Lorrainelola]

I can not believe I let Alfie get so matted. He was booked into the groomers the other week but was ill and couldn't go. He is there now and I just had a call to say they need him for another couple of hours as its taking so long to comb the mats out.

The do it for a while and then let him down for a rest so that he isn't stood on the table for too long at one time. This has certainly been a lesson to me. I used to brush him everyday and then it was every other day and then \i sort of got to the point of no return. I love him more than anything and will pay any amount of vets bills so why is it I have let the grooming slip.

I tell you something I will religiously brush him everyday, although I might let him have tomorrow off as he's probably fed up of being brushed today. Let this be a warning to others, don't let the grooming get away from you as its a nightmare when they get matted.

[Beamers Mom]

No, not useless at all!

I do find that if I miss brushing and combing Beamer even one day he has tangles. He hasn't had mats in a long time, just the little tangles.
It is easy to let the grooming slip sometimes. But we sure pay the price when we go to brush them the next time. Takes longer.

Don't beat yourself up over this

[cally930]

I also learned my lesson years ago. I now brush my dogs every day. Its usually at night when everyone just wants to veg in front of the TV. I'll grab one dog at a time and just brush them while watching TV. They love the lap time and then I give them a treat when they are done. Years ago when mine got matted I took them to the groomers and they said that they would need to shave them down because combing it out would cause them pain. I hated that!!! Never again.

[Lorrainelola]

Well Alfie is home and looks like a new born lamb. He is fast asleep by my side on the sofa. I know the groomer well and trust her totally and she worked hard to get all the mats out but his legs and belly have been shaved. His coat is very short but I know it will grow again and its a lesson to me to brush him every day.

[kjc]

I guess that makes me useless sometimes too!

Hugs...

[Rhetts_mama]

You aren't a useless mama. If you were, it wouldn't bother you that Alfie needed extra work today.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

Well Alfie is home and looks like a new born lamb. He is fast asleep by my side on the sofa. I know the groomer well and trust her totally and she worked hard to get all the mats out but his legs and belly have been shaved. His coat is very short but I know it will grow again and its a lesson to me to brush him every day.

Thanks for letting me know my new puppy needs to be brushed A LOT! Don't beat yourself up about it at all.
And by the way, you aren't the only one who owns a pet lamb

[jltwigg10]

I completely agree with Rhett's Mama.

I am still trying to get myself into the routine of brushing daily.
Last night I brushed Jackson and it took like 2 min. He has the silky coat.
I brushed Jillian and it took a long time but I gave her breaks. She has the cotton coat.

I will definitely get into the habit of brushing them every night. I felt so sorry for her.

Thank you for reminding me of what "I need to do or else".

I am sure his coat will be even more beautiful when it grows back.

[Lorrainelola]

I assume Alfie has the cotton coat as his coat is never silky. The 2 German shepherds think we have a new dog in the house

I tell you, I'll never let him get like that again.

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

I assume Alfie has the cotton coat as his coat is never silky. The 2 German shepherds think we have a new dog in the house

I tell you, I'll never let him get like that again.

Ok - if you take a photo of him with the flash do his eyes look red or green?
if red he has a cotton coat, if green he has a silky coat.

[Lorrainelola]

Originally Posted by Beamers Mom

Ok - if you take a photo of him with the flash do his eyes look red or green?
if red he has a cotton coat, if green he has a silky coat.

I'll try that. I never knew there was a difference. All pics seem to come out with red eyed people when I take them.

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by Lorrainelola

I'll try that. I never knew there was a difference. All pics seem to come out with red eyed people when I take them.

You can probably just shine a light on them in a darkened room.

(I didn't know about the red eye, green eye either until I read YT - but it works)

[Patti]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Many of us have done the same. I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, then didn't feel well and grooming my 4 fell by the wayside. I finally decided Sunday I had to get them back in shape. It was a nightmare. Fortunately Nikki and Pixie have great silky coats. Cali and Roxie have thick cotton coats. They were so matted I ended up cutting a lot out, but you can't tell since they have so much hair. I now keep a brush next to my bed and grab them through out the day/evening and brush then a little.

[Lorrainelola]

Are there any products which can be sprayed on which make the coat silkier and soft. Or does it also d3pend on what food they eat that cqn help their coats?

[Johnshumucker]

Ha! I think if you're useless then we all are from time to time. Luckily our little ones are very forgiving. I know my two—Frankie and Franks— have taught me much about life and forgiveness. But maybe for good measure you can help the forgiveness process along by taking your little one on a vacation Invisible Fence of the Midwest Sweepstakes | Facebook I saw this one on Facebook and said sign me up! I always get lazy, when it comes to brushing my little ones' teeth. But I know the key is consistency!