grooming with your head not your heart

[rainingcats&dogs]

when i worked at petsomething my grooming mgr,used to always tell me,you need to groom with your head not your heart,and i always thought to myself she must be heartless,but she would always see how upset i would get when an animal all skinny,or matted,or ever senior citizens that cant afford to groom there pets but love them,would come in,i always wanted to give older people discounts,and i would be in tears to see the stuff i would see,and yes she would console me and say i know you love animals but this is your job,you need to get it together nad go groom that cat/dog,well i never knew what she meant until i got my own place but its true,i can love animals but i must use my head,i let the sympathetic side of me get the better of me,and i make no money someone gives me a sob story,and tears at my heart strings,and im no pushover,my hair is multi colored covered in tats,but i feel so bad,for example i know people will get on me about this,i had a very old lady come in today with her old cat,matted solid cat didnt like to scruffed at all,i shaved half then cat freaked out,i stopped grooming,called owner,she even asked how much do i owe you for what you did,me the idiot i said oh no dint worry about,because i know cat needs to go to vet to be shaved and i wanted her to put all her money to that,because she even looked poor,please help me get over this i can still be caring and compassionate,but use my head not heart
thanks
trish

[hairdevil]

This is a job that walks a fine line in my opinion. We do have to use our heads..to make a living...and our hearts to live...I think what you did was fine. She probably will take her poor ole cat in to be cared for by the vet, and thanks to you she has a little extra money to do that with. Its not like you're grooming for free, you were helping someone. Remember...all that you give,,you shall receive threefold. The world needs more givers..You probably could've had her sign a receipt for you and wrote that off on your taxes as a charity donation. might still can. Nothing wrong with being a guardian angel for animals sometimes

[misscatahoula]

I probably wouldn't have charged the old lady either, and I'm not one to give discounts or special deals willy-nilly. I charge what I consider to be fair for the time & resources I use to groom client's dogs. I don't allow people to haggle with me over prices, but there have been times when I know somebody is really struggling financially and I have given them a bit of a break. There's a difference between being a doormat and allowing yourself to be underpaid for all your grooms, and sometimes just helping someone and their dog out. My first boss was one of the most savvy business women I've met, but she always groomed this old man's dog for free, knowing he could never afford to get it done( he lived in a camper and was desperately poor). I believe you need both your head and your heart to do this job. The head part so you can make sound business decisions and earn what you deserve, and your heart so you can continue to love the animals and enjoy their owners that come into your life.

[Helly]

I too believe you get what you give. Sometimes you do what you feel you have to do. Even if it means discounting a groom or not charging someone who's truely in need. And it sounds like this was one of those cases.

Yes, we have to use our heads, and we have to make a living. But we also have to have a heart, and we have to be able to live with ourselves. When you feel like it's the right thing to do, what you're feeling is probably right. God will bless you for it.

[Cosette]

You probably could've had her sign a receipt for you and wrote that off on your taxes as a charity donation. might still can. Nothing wrong with being a guardian angel for animals sometimes

I agree you did a very kindhearted thing, Trish. Unfortunately, the IRS probably won't reward you for it.

According to Pub. 526, under Charitable Contributions you cannot deduct:
[i]1. A contribution to a specific individual.[/i]
[i]4. The value of your time or services.[/i]

But, I too believe that no kind deed goes unrewarded so it will come back to bless you in another way.
Sheri

[Pixie]

I would much rather be remembered as someone with a caring heart and compassion for someone else than for a hardhearted person who wouldn't give of their time or talent.

You did the right and proper thing. I don't think what you did would be considered as being a pushover. We need more people like you who care about others.

[sheilabgroomer]

I agree, sometimes you have to go with your heart, not your head and do what will let you sleep at night. As already mentioned, that lady will have a little extra now to take the kitty to the vet and have him finished, not to mention she will probably tell everyone at the vets office how sweet you were and how you wouldn't take money from her. That right there is your payment, word of mouth advertisement!

[toomuchfunbnme]

I believe that being compassionate is a good trait for a business person. I personally know a lot of very successful business people who are very compassionate and caring. Although since you mention that you get to the point that you make no money, I might re-evaluate the practices that are causing that outcome. My business friends and I actually beleive that the more successful we are, the more we can help others as well. BTW I agree with not charging in the example that you gave. Good luck and great success!

[Bearmtn]

I feel that it is your heart that will keep you in this business, because you have to love it to stay with it. That's not only being sensitive to the pets you are grooming, but the owners.

I feel that you did the right thing. I am very bad when it comes to my older customers. I have a very hard time raising their prices and some I tend to charge not much more than it costs me to do them. I have customers that I would do them for free if needed. Being sensitive to other people and their pets is a good thing and I truily believe what goes around comes around.

[Wisconsin]

I believe in what you did. I would have done the same. You're no pushover...just a caring and compassionate person. IMO the world is a better place because of these good deeds.

I truly believe what goes around comes around. I imagine you treated her the way you would wish to be treated in a similar situation. You were grooming with your head and your heart.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[dogtnkd]

I totally agree with the board. YOU DID THE RIGHT THING. We need more groomers like you. We can't save em all but we can make make a differance with our good actions and decision with whom we are entrusted. Carma, you will get the money back 10 fold.
Karen
p.s. where is the darn spell check?????

[plushpuppy]

My heart always wins, I give senior discouts and groom 3 dogs a week at least for a local rescue group. When I think about it I left corporate America because they had no heart and I love dogs. So I guess if I can't go out to dinner an extra time this week or buy the cute shirt at the store it's ok because I am doing what I love, and helping people and pets at the same time. What more can you ask for!!!!

[dogtnkd]

I totally agree, Unfortoinately I am STUCK in the B.S. of the corporate world....VERY SAD. I can't wait to retire and go back to grooming full time.
My heart always wins out Too.
Karen
p.s. where is the spell check?