I am embarrassed to admit that I have neglected to take Zinnia to a professional dog groomer in the three years she’s been with us. I firmly believe that dogs need actual grooming once in a while – to keep their nails healthy, get rid of excess and old fur, and wipe the dog clean of ticks, bugs, and the residue of the pasture and the swamps where she loves to roll.
Part of the trouble was that there aren’t too many groomers around here, and I couldn’t find one that felt right for us. The last groomer we had was unhappy with me since I forgot a couple of appointments, and she didn’t like to have to call and notify me.
I was upfront with Kiley about my dyslexia, as I have learned to be. We worked out a good system for my remembering and for her reminding me of appointments.
Three weeks ago, I came across the dog groomer I was hoping for. She had finally put a sign up that said “Ruff Around The Edges.”
I called and learned she had been open since February.
Her name is Kiley Merecki; she grew up and still lives and works on a dairy farm with her father in Hebron, N.Y. She opened her small salon in a tiny rental office a few miles from our farm. I drive by her salon several times a day, but I had no idea it was there.
Her business is called Ruff Around The Edges. There is nothing rough about her.
I took Zinnia there today for her first-ever grooming. Farm people know animals as well as anyone on the planet. We connected right away.
Kiley grew up with animals from dogs to barn cats to dairy cows; she knows how to handle them. The usually calm Zinnia was nervous when I left her in this strange place with so many dogs smells and a stranger. She tried to come out with me and looked worried when Kiley got her up into the bathing tub.
When I returned in an hour, the two had fallen in love, and Zinnia seemed spotless and happy and was enjoying some treats. Kiley said she was no problem at all, “she’s a doll.” Kiley brushed her (I couldn’t believe the hair on the floor), trimmed her nails, bathed, and scrubbed her. A lot of cruds came off as well as a ton of hair; Zinnia is often in our pasture and the swamps and mudholes of the woods.
Kiley is as warm and friendly as her portrait suggests. And as competent.
She understood that the first visit could be scary and confusing for Zinnia; she was gentle yet confident with her. Zinnia was uneasy but trusted Kiley right away.
When Zinnia balked at jumping into the big aluminum tub – she had never seen anything like it – Kiley talked with her, picked her up quickly and skillfully, and got her into the tub. Zinnia gave me one last pleading look, and then I just left, as I learned to do when we dropped our daughter off in summer camp.
(Portrait, Kiley Merecki.)
People lie, but cameras don’t. Kiley is just as friendly and confident as this photo suggests. How great to see people get to do the work they love. I wish her every success, I think she is already having some.
I love doing business with people like Kiley; it’s tough for single young people to start a business around her; in just a few months, Kiley is booked nine weeks ahead (she makes room for emergencies), and I signed up for bi-monthly grooming through January. She is a farmer through and through and still helps on the farm.
This story is always stirring for me.
It takes a lot of drive and courage to stick your neck out like that in a small town, where very few small businesses work for long, especially when there is only one person to run them. She signed up for grooming classes, rented a space, and started grooming. Buying that bath and table had to be a big investment for her. It is already paying off.
I doubt she will be too available for much longer; there is a huge need for someone like her here; she is the right person to fill it. I love her smile, professionalism, and sense of animal communication. It was impressive.
She is the person I want to groom my dog. I have never left Zinnia with anybody, this was a snap. I wasn’t anxious for a second.
I told Zinnia that Kiley is joining our world and will hopefully be with us for a long time. She is already thinking of expanding to a bigger space. Zinnia seemed quite pleased with herself and stopped scratching, as she does after swamp treks.
Farm women and men are the best handlers on the earth when it comes to animals, they know which tone of voice to use, they are soothing and gentle, and they use treats for calming and bonding.
Zinnia has a much whiter coat than I’ve seen for months. She really needed this grooming. I’m lucky and happy to have found Kiley, I’m attaching myself like glue.
I think it’s pretty funny that you can’t bathe your own dog. Some people have more money than sense!
And some people have no manners or common sense and get off on telling other people what to do. Sadly, social media trolls like you are not funny to me, you seem utterly humorless. I can’t bend down to groom Zinnia for various health reasons. Next time you stick your nose in someone’s life, ask first. And here’s some free wisdom for you, please don’t be an asshole here. If you need to be an asshole, go somewhere where it is welcome and permitted. Best, jon
David, please don’t write stupid messages like this anymore. You do me no harm, but make yourself look like a jerk.If you don’t have something good to say to somebody, then shut up. Is that funny enough for you?
Farm girl? Really? Could you try to be a little less sexist and patronizing?
Christina, the original text read “farm girls and sons,” after reading your somewhat knee-jerk message I changed it just to be careful to “farm people.” I wish I hadn’t. I don’t think the piece is either sexist no patronizing. It’s okay to like a person who does good work. Neither does Kiley, and neither does my wife who takes these things seriously but sanely. Neither did anyone else who read it or posted about it. I’m sorry I changed it, PC writing gives me the creeps.
Wrong, Jon. I’m another person who read “farm girls” and just cringed. Adult women who run a business are not “girls.” That sort of language is widely considered sexist and demeaning, whatever you or your wife might think about it. Would you think it ok to refer to an African-American male as a “boy”? Is Maria a woman or an “artist girl”? Calling an adult by a child’s designation implies that you are the only grownup in the room, and that’s why it’s patronizing. Many of your readers wince at openly sexist language like this, whether or not they call you on it.
Sorry, you feel that way Emily, it’s a good point worth considering, but Kiley was a girl when she grew up on the farm, and farm girls and boys are well known for being knowledgeable about animals. They aren’t called “farm people.” It just isn’t as black and white to me as it is to you, I changed the farm reference to “people” since some are bothered by it. I’m sad that’s the only thing you took from this story of a young farm woman setting out to build a business for herself. I find that disturbing and more politically correct than thoughtful, you were so busy cringing (take something for that). She deserves better than that, so it’s worth changing for her sake alone. But I don’t feel good about it. I’m happy to know Kiley, she is and ought to be proud of what she has done.
P.S. Could you share with us the poll you took of what all of my readers are thinking since you are speaking for them all? I think we’d all love to see it, unless, of course, you have no way of knowing and are just bloviating?
P.S. As anyone who knows me or reads my work knows, I have never in my work referred to adult women as “girls” or adult men as “boys.” It is creepy and lazy and wrong to throw these words at people you don’t know, it totally obscures and pollutes the discussion you should be having.
I was thinking of Lizzo, who recently wrote something that some people took offense over. She just changed it. She is a hero of mine. I wish I could be as simple as she is. I don’t like offending people, and I deeply resent people who don’t know me calling me sexist and patronizing. There is something offensive in people so quick to insult and take offense, it is a challenge to free thought and writing. There is just nothing offensive or sexist about referring to the lives of farm girls and boys and how they grew up. Half our country feels victimized, and the other half enthusiastically seeks offense. People should be able to write freely and with an open heart, even if they stumble. This culture of outrage and offense is a kind of cultural fascism to me, and I will keep trying to figure out where the line us. It is no longer possible to write a paragraph without offended the vigilant and self-righteous. Some of the best writing in the world is no longer possible.
This is somewhat typical of the messages I have been receiving, mostly from people afraid to post their names in public, what a sorry shame. Perhaps Emily has come across her in her polling of “many of my readers.” Thanks for sending me this “S” I’ll keep your name off of it.
Jon, “I wonder how many people don’t
answer the “creative spark”
because of commenters like
those on your blog re: Kiley,
the groomer. I know many of
us should be more thick-skinned,
but unless you ban comments,
it’s a free-for-all out there. And
the level/type of critique these
days has a bar so low, it’s
breathtaking. As a former Brit,
I’m used to some level of sarcasm
and snark, but this is pedestrian
victimhood on steroids, and constant self-righteousness. Ugh!
Just thought of creatives I know,
who would never put their work
out to the public. You need a
suit of armor. Thanks for taking
on the masses, and putting out
your blog/pics. Will keep enjoying them!
I’m so glad I don’t live in such a black and white world. I hope I never do, it is the first death of the mind to me.
He calls Maria a girl regularly. It’s pretty disgusting.
“Farm girls” has not been changed. It’s in the secon-to-last paragraph (“Farm girls are the best handlers on earth”). For the record, I agree with Christina. An adult woman is not a girl!
But she was a girl when she grew up on the farm, Brenda. I got several messages complaining about it, so I changed. I’m sorry that none of them mentioned her courage and accomplishment, their knees were too busy jerking to notice, even if they had a point.
Farm girls has been changed, everywhere it appeared. It just took me a while, I was busy. This is not something I wished to spend much time on, as deeply offended as you are. It feels like chickenshit to me, and is grossly unfair. I do not ever, in my life or writing, refer to adult women as “girls” or adult males as “boys.” The reference to Kiley was as her life on a farm as a child, where she learned to love animals. Seems to me that is clear as a bell when you read it, but if not, my bad.
Zinna looks lovely.
I can’t even begin to believe the audacity of some to criticize. Great post btw dog groomers are few and far between in our neck of the world. My chocolate lab has never been bathed, he does get his nails trimmed at our vet though. I might need to consider a good grooming based on your post though.
Thanks all, time to move on now. I think we’ve covered this ground thoroughly. Thanks to those of you stayed civil and thoughtful. Much appreciated.
You definitely know how to pick em.
Zinnia’s living proof.
?
I’m glad you took a picture of Zinnia after her bath because if she’s like most dogs, she’ll waste no time rolling in something disgusting as soon as she gets home and all evidence of her bath will disappear! ?. I used to bathe and clip my Airedale but my disability eventually made that impossible. Like you, I found a great groomer who does a great job and Heidi isn’t the least bit stressed at going to the spa. Well worth the price and the drive across town.
Jon, I don’t usually comment on typos because they happen, But, “they use teats to calm”? You might want to change that to treats.
Kathryn, thanks for the post, I can’t find it in the text, either I fixed or it the editing software did. In any case, I think people know what I meant and can handle it. I went over it twice, I just cant come across it.
I’m sure Zinnia is very easy to groom. She has a sweet & gentle nature. My 18 yr old Yorkie is the exact opposite. Even though most of her teeth are gone, she bites/gums with ferocity and never holds still. No one wants to work with her. I have to sneak up on her when she’s sleeping just to get a few snips in with the scissors!
She’s lucky to have you, Nora,
Good groomers are worth their weight in gold, especially when they’re both competent and kind and the animals like going to them.
I’m sorry people concentrated on a couple of terms, rather than on Kiley’s professionalism and expertise.
Are you planning on having Bud and Fate visit her too.?
Thanks, Carolyn. I used the word “girls” to describe Kiley’s youth, not her adult life. That was the correct use of the word. I am sorry this mindless political correctness distracted from her wonderful story. I have never once in my life called an adult female “girl” or an adult male “boy.” I don’t even call boys boys. I refer to them all as people. THis was the right term in this context and I have no apologies to make for it. I changed it because I just weakened, as people do when assaulted.
I can no longer get on the ground to brush Zinnia properly but she ought not to suffer for that. People who see grooming as a rich person’s indulgence are just ignorant. Zinna really needs a thorough brushing and a good scrubbing. She came back a different dog, her nails trim, and no more scratching. Social media is parade ground for idiots as well as smart people.
Zinnia looks fabulous. Jon, Maria and Kiley are to be congratulated.
This was a wonderful piece complimenting Kiley’s courage to begin her business, her competence, her compassion for and good care for animals! And maybe to generate more business for her. And…to publicly offer such positive feedback about her services. I enjoyed reading about your and Zinnia’s experience and electronically ‘meeting’ Kiley! But I just gotta say…I am a 70 year old, retired international business woman…who worked in different cultures and countries for years to help educate, prepare, and develop woman for leadership roles…so I understand the feminist perspective…but dang! I’m proud to call myself a Jersey GIRL. A Jeep GIRL.
A nature GIRL. And because today is my late dad’s birthday…A daddy’s GIRL! With apologies to no one! And if I had been raised on a farm, I’d be darn proud to be called a farm GIRL. Good grief! Congrats to Kiley!! You go girl!!!
Of course she was a farm girl. Probably in 4-H and FFA. And her brothers or male cousins/friends were farm boys. And now she is branching into her own business, having had a wonderful eduction as a girl growing up on a farm. Country people would not be offended at all. Jeez, how hard is that to understand? Seems like the manure is not just on the farm?.
Thanks Linda, unlike most of the people, you have lived on a farm.
WTF???? The only thing some people got out of this was the use of the word “girl”??? The entire piece was in praise and recognition of a young person starting a business and building an amazing reputation. Sweet heaven. Zinnia looks amazing and how fortunate for you that you have discovered a great groomer!!
Blessings to you, Mary..thanks for seeing the light..
There comes a point in a female’s life, when being referred to as a “girl” is an honor. I recently visited the town where I grew up (Louisville, KY). In conversation a man said, “Oh, my goodness!! You’re a local girl, then.” I’m 70 years old and I was just fine with being called a “Local girl”. It was a badge of honor.
Jon, I’m pretty sure that only you could stir up controversy in an article about getting your dog groomed. LOL. There will always be those who have a need to get upset at the simple things in life. I’m of a mind that they are in denial and simply buy their knickers a size too small resulting in their inability to enjoy life without being grumpy . I loved it your story. I own dog grooming shops. It is a wonderful thing to be able to leave your beloved dog with somebody and not have a worry. Yay to Zinnia on a good day and judos to Kiley on her small town shop. As a side note… Just today I was listening to a very popular Journey song about a City Boy finding his Small Town Girl…… sexist? LOL