Come see how I groom my dogs
Update: Many of you have been asking where to obtain Traumeel ointment. You can find a list of local suppliers at Heelusa.com. Or you can search online, many online retailers carry the ointment.
When it comes to my pets, I believe that cleanliness is certainly a virtue. I make a point of bathing them frequently and keeping them well groomed. It's really important to inspect a pet from top to bottom, looking for ticks and any other maladies. Pets may not like such close attention at first, but if you are persistent they will get used to it and come to expect it. Francesca and Sharkey have a daily regimen, which they now seem to rather enjoy. Take a look.
A nervous Francesca, waiting to be cleaned and groomed.
We use this homeopathic ointment for many things -- it's a wonderful
remedy. On Francesca, it soothes the deep crevices on either side of
her nose.
First, I wipe the dog's face gently with a damp, warm rag
Using another damp rag, I wipe the feet, not forgetting to go between the toes.
Look how dirty this paw was after the early morning squirrel run!
Francesca is very well behaved. Actually, all of my animals have come to expect and love their daily grooming.
These deep facial wrinkles are not a characteristic of every Frenchie.
I am gently wiping around the eyes and ears.
I clean around the mouth and even inside, also checking the teeth.
And I always inspect for deer ticks, which are
pervasive in our neighborhood!
I apply the Traumeel ointment carefully with a fat cotton swab.
The Traumeel must taste pretty good.
A closeup view of the convoluted moonlike surface of Francesca's adorable face.
Sharkey is much more cooperative when being groomed.
Unlike Francesca, she does not have deep wrinkles
But her paws were equally dirty.
Of course, always check and clean the other end, too!
Here, I'm checking her ears for ticks and any other problems. I
thought the hair was a little thin from too much doggie licking, so I
applied a tiny bit of Traumeel to the affected areas.
Sharkey looks quite relaxed; she just loves her cleaning.
Dabbing on the Traumeel.
Nail clipping is not easy. The dogs are a bit apprehensive -- as am I.
Always use a special dog nail clipper. They come in different sizes,
and be careful to snip only the very tips and never into the quick. That
really hurts the animal -- there will be bleeding and the nail can
become infected.
Francesca's nails are black and very well groomed.
I decided they didn't need a trimming.
More Blogs on Francesca and Sharkey!
Francesca and Sharkey go hunting
Posted July 6, 2008
Fun photos of my pets!
Posted March 17, 2008
Come see my dogs!
Posted February 7, 2008
My doggies and Paw Paw in costume!
Posted October 31, 2007
Beautiful photos as usual. I love seeing pictures of Francesca and Sharkey, but I'm even more interested now since my younger sister just got a Siberian Husky puppy. I can only hope that little Moxie will eventually come to enjoy her grooming as much as your pups do, I can assure you she is quite the handful now!
Thank you for sharing your tips.
Posted by: chia berry | July 10th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Smooches to the pooches!
Posted by: Isle Dance | July 10th, 2008 at 12:31 am
It's comforting to see Martha you have stacks of papers and "stuff" on your kitchen counters too! A tour of some rooms that are truly "lived in" would be a treat
!
Posted by: steven | July 10th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Hi Martha, Talk about "Up close and Personal"! This is probably the closest I will ever get to your beautiful little Frenchies. I LOVE THIS BLOG! Your little girls are most likely the cleanest, healthiest and most active dogs around. They always seem so bright eyed and happy as they pose for these pictures that you so graciously share with us. Thanks so very much for sharing. Oh, before I forget, how is Martyn doing and what did you finally name the cattle? Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 10th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Great quick tute Martha! My big ole' dog is almost as cooperative! LoL On another note, I saw something someone made in your honor on a crafts website that I thought you'd appreciate.
Here's the link to the thread in question: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=255304.msg2849946;topicseen#msg2849946
Note to those who moderate this blog: Sorry if this is not the right forum for this. Could not find a direct link to send anything to Martha and as a lifetime fan, I really thought she'd appreciate it. If you do not allow this to be posted, could you please find a way to get this to Martha? I think she'd get a smile out of it! Thanks!
Posted by: Cherie L. | July 10th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Hi Martha, I wish my Frenchie behaved like that when I try to groom her. SHE HATES IT!!!! It's a battle trying to wipe her face and forget the nails, I have the professionals do that. I'll have to try the Traumeel ointment, she always has little scabs from roughing up my 100 pound labs. She'll go from a sound sleep on the sofa to flying off and jumping on their heads to play. She looks like a flying fat bat.
Thanks for sharing your photos.
Ann
Posted by: ann | July 10th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Martha,
Will you get another Chow??? I miss your two little gremlins with a little puff ball.....
Posted by: Shirley Hawksby | July 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Francesca and Sharkey are loving this attention and daily routine. They are very lucky to have such a dedicated owner, who not only loves them, but takes such good care of them. Martha, you are a responsible dog owner. Saw Francesca on yesterday's previously recorded show, and I could tell that she so loves you because she was listening to every word you spoke. She is so intelligent and has such a love for you as I'm sure Sharkey has also.
Posted by: Nan Ashby | July 10th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Where can we get the Traumeel? I have a cat who has skin allergies and I wonder if that would be good for my Georgie.
Posted by: kim Kropf | July 10th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I adore your dogs (almost as much as I love my own!) - Francesca and Sharkey are wonderful. Just curious - was Sharkey named after Kevin? (This just occured to me recently - as I'm fairly new to your blog, I may have missed how they got their names.) Thanks.
Posted by: Barb | July 10th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Good work on the pups! My dog is a Lhasa apso, so his hair grows just as fast as human hair. I brush him, but really rely on a professional groomer to get him into good shape with the full treatment every six weeks.
Posted by: Rhea | July 10th, 2008 at 9:22 am
If you give your dogs garlic capsules, they ticks won't bother them!
Posted by: AKG | July 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am
How do you remove the ticks? We have not had ticks this year nor fleas but some wet years, wow, what a chore.
I wonder, do the dogs get put up on the counter after a stroll in the horse pasture---and how about that Herford cow pasture? Sharkey would not be so creamy in color for sure.
Posted by: Margie | July 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am
You are so brave to clip their nails! I was always too nervous to even try it. Sharkey and Francesca are so cute I just want to kiss their sweet little faces! Please give them a kiss for me. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 10th, 2008 at 11:12 am
You are such a good Mama Martha. Can't wait to hear about the chow puppy you select for your next family addition they should be about four weeks old now right?The pup should be ready to come to you for your birthday present perfect Martha timing! I see you are STILL wearing your watch the same way, I love that I won the bet to NYC on why do you wear your watch the way you do! Pretty neat. Your camera are awesome! The Frenches look to be enjoying the extra bath attention.
Pam from HOT California
Posted by: Pam from California | July 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hello Martha:
I just love Francesca and Sharkey. I've come to know them thru your blog and the wonderful pictures. They love to be groomed by you because they know they are loved and you pamper them so wonderful. How well behaved and cute they are!! Thanks for sharing these cute pictures.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: LInda | July 10th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
It's so true about getting the pets used to "close attention." My cat Patches hated being groomed at first, but now she can't get enough.
Posted by: Marie | July 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I am so impressed that you use Traumeel, Martha! We have used it in my practice for c.10 yrs. It is a remarkably safe anti-inflammatory with a huge range of applications, from sunburns, and burns, to sprains and strains. It promotes healing on the cellular level, while decreasing pain and inflammation. Since it comes in many forms, from injectable, to topical, to oral formulations, it can be used for a myriad of painful conditions, without fear of adverse effects.
Posted by: PJ Broadfoot DVM | July 10th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Dear Ann,
I miss Paw Paw very much.. and yes!! I am thinking of getting another Chow.
Thanks,
Martha
Posted by: Martha Stewart | July 10th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Hi Martha,
Love the photos of the dogs and enjoyed seeing how you groom them. I try to do the same every day with my Persian cats - they tolerate it. Glad you are thinking of getting another Chow.
Posted by: joan vogt | July 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Martha,
I love the blogs about Francesca and Sharkey. They are adorable dogs! On another note, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your friend Bunny. I listen to the Whatever Girls, and my heart breaks for Jennifer and her family. Wouldn't it be great to know that Bunny and Big Martha and Paw Paw have all found each other and are having a fabulous time together in the afterlife!
Posted by: michelle | July 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Dear Barb,
Yes, Sharkey is named after Kevin, just for fun. Francesca is an Italian name meaning 'from France' - appropriate for a French Bulldog - no?
Best,
Martha
Posted by: Martha Stewart | July 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Martha, I watched the show this morning and watched you preparing their food. I turned away to put my kids outside, but got back in time to see you adding meatballs?Were they raw? Is it mixed with anything? Your recipe is very close to my recipe. My girls love rice and carrots mixed with everything. But would love to know the meat part of your mixture. Thanking you in advance.
Posted by: Mary | July 10th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Hi Martha:
This was a great lesson. Your dogs are gorgeous. Do you also groom your cats? I have an old, one-eyed Himalayan and I wash her face and ears ( using your bar cloths, too- HA!), but I haven't had much success trimming her nails. She's an inside girl, with occasional leash walks on pavement. Thanks- we miss your show, but this is even better, in some ways!
Posted by: Denise in CA | July 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Love the grooming pictures! It's great to see you show in detail how the dogs get groomed. The information is valuable to dog owners. It's really good to start when their a pup, especially the nail cutting & bath!
Posted by: Sherry | July 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
AHHH!! So cute dogs! my mom has always wanted those dogs!
Posted by: Brianna | July 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
What good girls you have! I could tell by the looks on their faces that they look forward to this! I truly believe that this continued handling adds to their well-being and a longer life, not to mention the strong bond it invokes!
Sure wish my 2 beloved cats would be this good, as their mommy loves them so and wants to take the very best care of them! =^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | July 10th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I just learned a good tip when we got our new puppy. The lady we got her from "trimmed" their claws with a small rechargable dremel tool to just sand off the pointy tips. It is much faster and you don't run the chance of cutting too short.
Posted by: Gina | July 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Martha,
Your Frenchies are just too adorable and sit so attentive while getting groomed!
What other uses do you use Traumeel for? Can you use on their pads? Is it only for dry skin areas? Some of my Yorkies get tear marks/stain in their eye area. I am constantly cleaning that off. Any suggestions what to use there?
Hope you do get a new Chow soon! Keep us posted.
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. :) | July 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Martha: I remember a pad ointment that you sold on your website some time ago. Our Daisy would really benefit from having the pads of her paws moisturized. Could you please suggest a product you have used? Thank you.
Posted by: Barb Rock | July 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I am in love with those dogs! What a happy way to start the day. I lost my dog two years ago and these photos make me want to run out to my local APL!
Thanks!
Posted by: Cissy | July 11th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Hi Martha-
How do you maintain their teeth at home? Any tips? Thanks.
Posted by: Catherine | July 11th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Hello Martha,
Thank you so much for the information on the daily cleanliness regime of your Frenchies. This information comes in very handy as my partner and I will be getting a french bulldog puppy this weekend, and are very excited! We want to make sure that we keep "Edith" (thats the name we picked out, after Edith Piaf) very clean and presentable like Sharkey and Francesca.
Thanks again, and we would love to keep hearing your posts about your frenchies.
- Peter (New York, NY)
Posted by: Peter | July 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hi Martha,
I'd just like to second the Dremel suggestion, cordless or corded. My dog ran when I got the clippers out, but took to the Dremel almost immediately. It doesn't squeeze that sensitive quick.
Posted by: Leslie | July 12th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Martha, you are like my Mom with her dogs. You and she love them very much. she has two german shanzers and two pugs. She keeps them in the house most of the time too. They go through a regular bathing treatment and they love it also.
Posted by: Virginia Hamblin | July 12th, 2008 at 10:14 am
thank you for sharing.
So darling. I had to share it with some of my children who have such heavy burdens upon them, that they had forgotten their smiling faces.
we are all smiling now.
thanks again.
Posted by: margaret haynes | July 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Martha,
Your Frenchies are the cutest dogs I've ever seen. Any chance you can recommend breeders in the Tri-State area or surrounding areas?
Thanks.
Posted by: Katz in NYC | July 13th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I've always had XL dogs - 2 Newfies, a Bernese Mtn. Dog, Cane Corso and Golden Retriever and since I'm 60 year old today, I've been thinking that my 8 year old Newfie (Maggie) may need a smaller friend since Mom is getting older. Why did you chose the Frenchie? Just curious. Thank you.
Posted by: Doreen | July 14th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Dear Martha,
I have a fawn french bulldog how do keep tear stains from showing. I notice that Sharkey is face is clear of them.
thank you,
Samantha
Posted by: samantha Glaser | July 28th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Hello Martha,
Just love "Francesca" & "Sharky" they are so cute and they allow you to groom them, good doggies. I have three dogs a Chihuahua "Buster", and two Yorkies,
"Mariah",and "Angel-Marie". Mariah has an Eye that drips so much she needs her Eye cleaned twice a day. Any suggestions on how to stop that and stop it from staining her hair under the eye?
Joan From Willcox AZ
Posted by: Joan Dawson | July 31st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
My MinPin "Hates" having his feet just touched & I've taken him to a Pro to have his nails done,from the time he was just a Puppy & it's Not any easier, 3 years or so latter he's still a Brat when I take him & it's the Same Place & often Same Girl,but he just Hates it,he dose like the Car Ride,lol.
My Dog must think I'm a crazy mom,all day every day I'm checking him over,checking him for fleas,ticks,ect,but it's my job to take care of him & for most part he doesn't seem to mind.
Martha,do You squeeze the Dogs anal glands,my dog doesn't like his but touched & I don't know enough about it to do it to my dog..
Posted by: Tasha | September 24th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Martha,
I am a cat & dog lover--what happened to your beautiful Himalayan cats? Do you still have them?
Posted by: Sylvia Houston | October 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 am
How do you keep the eye stains away. I have two frenchies (napoleon and dreyfus). Dreyfus being a cream color develops eye stains from his eyes to the corner of his mouth. I keep them dry, but that does not seem to be the solution. Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: susan abrams | March 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm