Losing Clients (Whaa)

[TAILSRWAGON]

In the past 5 days I have had 2 clients of mine show up in the Obits.
I always expected during the course of business that dogs die. But having the owners die is extremely hard. I don't know what to say or do, I sent Sympathy cards to the family, but should I attend the service? One client that just died had booked her dog every 4 weeks until the dog passed away earlier this month.

[RoosMom]

You are doing the right thing by sending sympathy cards, but I think you should not attend services unless your relationship with them went beyond client/service provider. If you feel you want to do something more, send flowers to the funeral home or make a donation to their favorite charity as a rememberance. It is sad to have these things happen, I know.

[hairdevil]

I hate that when it happens! yes, I would send flowers to the funeral, and in one case I went. some of my lil seniors Im really close to...and its very sad ..my clients are passing away now too...lost 2 this year..and the dogs too. most of whom I've groomed their whole lives..just a sad part of grooming... but do send flowers

[baddog]

I once found a client of mine dead in her house, she never came to get her dog so I went to her house, I knocked and knocked and the door popped open , I went in calling her name and could hear the t.v. as I rounded the corner there she was sprawled out on the floor, dead, she had a massive heart attack....I will never forget that experience.
I kept her dog for a week until her family claimed her, they never even let me know when the service was, as the man was getting in the car I asked what would become of the dog, he shrugged and told me "putting her down" jumped in the car and drove off, I was at a total loss and now had that image in my mind....people are so nice

[diemonster]

I believe funerals are designed so that anyone who knew the deceased can go if they so desire.. so it's totally a personal preference. Mobile groomers tend to have closer relationships with their clients than shop owners.. so I think it would be nice to attend (if you want to).

[pretty_green_quaker]

I believe funerals are designed so that anyone who knew the deceased can go if they so desire.. so it's totally a personal preference. Mobile groomers tend to have closer relationships with their clients than shop owners.. so I think it would be nice to attend (if you want to).

I totally agree. If you want to go, you should.

[Fur Elite]

It really depends

It depends on what you WANT to do. You should not go out of a sense of obligation, people don't expect that out of service providers and they aren't thinking about whether you came or not. Funerals are pretty much public events unless they are listed as private...... if you read an obit with the details listed that means it is an open invitation to anyone who wants to attend.

I, however, will not be attending many funerals or sending flowers. If I did, I would be regularly at the funeral home and my budget would be stressed. 95% of my clients are in a retirement community and I have a pretty regular die off of both dogs and clients. Old people tend to have old dogs it seems. I really hate funerals as it is and barely go to the ones for close relatives, i would never attend a funeral if I didn't absolutely have to.

Baddog, I have the fear of what happened to you happening to me. I do have many clients who i just walk into the house and get the dog because they either can't hear the bell or can't get up easily to get to the door. I am always afraid I will find one of them dead.

[baddog]

I still cry when I think of her, she was a retired groomer, so we had many long conversations, she was so sweet!

[Meesh]

I guess I've been lukcy so far, I haven't lost any human clients to death, although plenty of old dogs passing on. I always try to send a card. I have one 96 year old client, several in their high eighties, high seventies, so I guess it's only a matter of time. I groom two dogs that are 18! Numerous over 12 yrs. Dogs are living so much longer now, as are humans!