Little G.K. Visits the Groomer
In preparation for being part of a PetSmart commercial, little G.K. visited a groomer for the very first time. Stonybrook Kennels is located at 500 Lake Street East in White Plains, New York – phone-914-946-0961. Stonybrook is actually where I had Paw Paw groomed for many years. Michael Larizza, who sadly died in 2006, was the owner and a very fine groomer. He was a great dog person and was very involved with the Westminster Dog Show, with both showing and judging. His partner, Alex Limato, now runs the business and I am very happy that Stonybrook Kennels has carried on its practice of excellence in grooming.
1 Sweet little G.K. just before leaving to go to the groomer
2 Here he is in the car, probably wondering why Francesca and Sharkey aren't coming along.
3 Arriving at Stonybrook Kennels
4 G.K. looks curious as to where he is.
5 Making friends with Alex, who was impressed with G.K.'s regal stature
6 G.K. seemed very comfortable with Alex and followed him right into the washing area.
7 These are some of Michael's Westminster ribbons - he won 80 ribbons for Best in Shows. He also won several for Best in Group, and Top Dog in Country.
8 A collection of photos from Westminster - Michael was one of the judges.
9 The walls are decorated with images of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, beautiful dogs which Alex breeds - a lovely painting.
10 Plates from The Danbury Mint
11 A pastel
12 Here's a photograph of me with my dear Paw Paw, G.K.'s amazing grandfather.
13 And another photo with Sharkey and Francesca
14 Meanwhile, G.K. was washed with a mild shampoo. He was then blown dry and brushed to straighten out his fur.
15 The drying process took a long time.
16 G.K. seemed to like it.
17 He didn't even seem to mind the brushing.
18 When the fur was dry, G.K. was trimmed with scissors just to shape. Very little was cut.
19 He was such a patient pup!
20 Finally, his nails were carefully trimmed and his ears were wiped out.
21 He even sat still for the nail trimming!
22 I have a strong suspicion that G.K.'s photo as a champion show dog will be added to that wall soon.
23 One of Alex's Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
24 And another
25 This breed is fun and very sweet.
26 Isn't G.K. looking more and more like Paw Paw? I think so!
What a cutie!!!!
Posted by: Norbie | April 27th, 2010 at 12:13 am
What an adorable puff ball! I just want to snuggle my face in his fur. A pampered pooch for sure!
Posted by: Clayvessel from Pie in the Sky | April 27th, 2010 at 1:55 am
G. K. is soooo cute:)
Posted by: danulique | April 27th, 2010 at 3:44 am
I totally agree that GK looks just like his handsome grandfather Paw Paw!! He is so cute....just like a little teddy bear!! And so well behaved!! Must be all the love he receives!!
Posted by: Shirley Hawksby | April 27th, 2010 at 5:24 am
G.K. is a very handsome dog and didn't seem to mind the groomer at all. I wish my Frenchie (Zoe) would learn to love the groomer!!
Posted by: Ann | April 27th, 2010 at 6:25 am
GK is adorable. What a good boy he is. He has learned a lot from those 2 smart Frenchies!
Posted by: Amy Lomasney | April 27th, 2010 at 7:33 am
What a darling dog GK is, and a very impressive countenance! I have a cavalier King Charles spaniel and LOVED seeing the other photos as well!
Posted by: Jayne | April 27th, 2010 at 7:38 am
What a handsome little guy! Martha, please bring G.K. with you the next time you come to visit us at Wertz Brothers in Santa Monica. He is so adorable!
Posted by: Anthony Hudson | April 27th, 2010 at 8:29 am
He most certainly has Paw Paw's stature. GK is a wonderful tribute to Paw Paw lineage. Absolutely darling. Like Charles Schultz once said, "happiness is a warm puppy."
Posted by: Julie | April 27th, 2010 at 9:11 am
He is so adorable!! Like a little fluffy teddy bear
Posted by: Emmy | April 27th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Hi Martha,
G. K. is so beautiful and regal looking and yes, he certainly is starting to look like Paw Paw and it seems he has the same disposition. What a precious pup! I bet you can’t stand to be away from him for even a minute. Your house must seem like heaven with all of your pets in it. What fun! Please let us know when the commercial will begin airing so we can watch for it. They always make me smile and even laugh, like the Macy’s one in the Frat House, or lining the pool with old credit cards, or at the barbecue and you ‘brought the dogs’! Thanks for sharing G.K. with us today. Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 27th, 2010 at 9:52 am
He is too precious!
Posted by: JK Swank | April 27th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Wow, little G.K. is quite the looker. If only Alex could work on my unruly moptop, I'd be a regular.
I couldn't help but share a handsome pic of my bulldog Boz, fresh from a bath, and striking a rather regal pose: http://tallcloverfarm.com/?p=346
Posted by: tom | tall clover farm | April 27th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Adorable! G.K. is clearly looking more like Paw Paw. Good luck with his future competitions!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | April 27th, 2010 at 10:50 am
GK is sooo cute and adorable! I love cavalier King Charles spaniels.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 27th, 2010 at 10:54 am
GK is simply adorable! He absolutely has inherited his grandfather Paw Paw's looks and demeanor.
Can't wait to see the PetSmart commercial with him, Francesca, and Sharkey.
Posted by: Sonya W. | April 27th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I love that face - enough said.
Posted by: Steve Shelton | April 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I love pic # 23! Beautiful. I used to have a pom...got her when i was 13. Thanks
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | April 27th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
G.K. is so cute! What a good boy to sit so well for all that grooming!
Posted by: Briel K. | April 27th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Martha,
Thanks for sharing the great photos of GK's first grooming!
Alex's place was amazing and I liked that he met with GK first before his bath!
Do chows have to be brushed every day? Do you use a pin brush? Do Chows shed clumps or individual hairs or not at all?
GK certainly does look like Paw Paw! He would be so proud of his grandson!
Thanks again!
Posted by: Paula M. :) | April 27th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
What a bundle of fluff. Moreover, he appears to have a truly sweet and serene spirit.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | April 27th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
oh my gosh GK is precious. He looks great after his trip to the salon!
Posted by: Kelly | April 27th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Wow he's a handsome fellow!
Posted by: pam | April 27th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Martha, GK looks startlingly like Paw Paw after his grooming. If he grows up to be like his grandpa, he will definitely be an award winner. Paw Paw was such a good boy. You posted a wonderful tribute to his last days, and I cried and cried after I read it. So glad Paw Paw is resting in peace at your beautiful farm where he was at home.
Posted by: Lee | April 27th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Way to go G.K. You look fabulous. And what a good boy you were at the groomer.
Posted by: Karen Tracy | April 27th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
What a beautiful boy; just like his grandfather.
Posted by: Lisa | April 27th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Hi Martha, I adore this blog! I just can't get enough of handsome little G.K.! From the very beginning when you brought him home, I thought he was the spittin' image of his wonderful grandfather, Paw Paw! These photos are simply wonderful. He looked great in the 1st one amd absolutely stunning in the last one!! Your groomer did a fantastic job and I'm sure he looks fabulous in the Petsmart commercial. He is a very regal looking Chow Chow. Can't wait to see him and the girls on your TV Show soon. Hug all of your animals for me. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Loved PawPaw, love GK! Cutest dogs.
Posted by: Keith Lee | April 27th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Love Little G.K.!
I have a Pomeranian who has a coat that is very similar to G.K.'s. She's about as big as his head. I wish she was as well-behaved about grooming!
Posted by: Skippy | April 28th, 2010 at 2:00 am
oh cool G.K. is here as well! very regal looking fluffy pup...a Champion in the making for sure.
Posted by: delia | April 28th, 2010 at 8:44 am
GK is growing so!
Love seeing the photo of you with Paw Paw Martha. He was so majestic, as GK is bound to be.
Our special friends are with us forever in our hearts, and I believe they run and play still upon the grounds and homes they knew so well. For those who had no loving caretakers, heaven will be/and, are now/ their playing ground.
Loven those spaniels.
Becky
Posted by: Becky Kuchefski | April 28th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
My mum breeds and shows Chows in Australia. He is a real sweetie.
Posted by: Di | April 29th, 2010 at 2:39 am
What a loveable pup. He is Paw Paw all over again. So sweet and such a well behaved chow. He has got to be a winner !!!!
Posted by: Libbygirl | April 29th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
GK is adorable, but I LOVE THOSE CAVALIERS!
Posted by: ~sue | May 2nd, 2010 at 4:33 pm
what a cute dog, but WHAT A GREAT GROOMER!!! and a caring person.Alex is the very best!!! Michael would be VERY proud.... Love my cavaliers!!!
Posted by: sara | May 3rd, 2010 at 5:02 pm
that ruby king charles is the cuttest dog i ever saw!!!!!!!
Posted by: Angelina Colombo | May 11th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
i have been trying to find some way of locating breeders for the chow chow in ct and i am looking for a black female to mate with my cinnamin male to hopefully get a pup like gk. any suggestions???
Posted by: joanne mcneil | May 20th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
GK is just adorable...my chows Mikey and Mia have been going to Alex (and Mike) for many many years....Stonybrook continues to be a great place with lots of special attention and M&M love the special chow pics too. Thanks for letting everyone know how great SB is and happy for you to have GK.
Posted by: Joanne | July 31st, 2010 at 12:18 pm