Hannah's blog

I have yet to write a post this year, and it's almost March! I think it would be a good time to put out my goals of this year, and with my birthday in a week, I figured this would be a good time to do it! Goals of 2020 (but in no means in order, and I will be ok if it doesn't happen this year. I am putting it out in the world so it CAN happen!) SAVE MONEY! travel to a place I have been (affordable). Write in this blog MORE. I need to get my experiences out there. GET HEALTHIER THROUGH DIET. Join my journey as I hope to write and document it. Set up an Avon get together, and hopefully make that part successful. Sign up for Dog grooming seminars. GO BACK TO SCHOOL. Relearn an instrument.  Will this all happen this year? Maybe not, but one little baby step at a time, and I am sure I will get there!  xoxo, Hannah's Blog

Yep. That's right. I am an autistic dog groomer! I was diagnosed at a fairly young age, and was determined to become a veterinarian. I have loved, and will probably always love MOST animals. (I am terrified of most snakes, and most rodents. Don't know why...) I am not on the path to be a veterinarian anymore, but I have been grooming dogs for a while now, and wanted to share some  perspective that I gained this past month that that made it kind of difficult for an aspie like me, and how I have realized that I NEED TO ASK FOR HELP. (us aspies are stubborn, am I right?) Over the past few years, I have been in the "corporate" world of grooming salons, but I also have experience in the small shops as well. However, with how things work, I need to be in the "corporate" side, and let me tell you. It is HARD. It is far more customer service based on my end than it would be, say, at a small shop where you have receptionists. As someone who has such bad anxiety and...

I realize it has been a while since I've really written something substantial on my blog, so here goes it. I have had some personal struggles that I have had a hard time with. My main struggle has and will probably always be with my social interaction at work, at home, at really anything. My eye contact is not great, the things I say may not be the best in every situation, and generally talking to people is not a strong suit for me. I currently work for a large corporation where I groom dogs as a full time stylist. I honestly love it. Really, I do. Although it is mandatory to talk to people, answer phones, try to finish dogs on time, and so much more, I have gratitude for working for them. Without them, I would not have the experience, the team, and most importantly, for me, I have insurance. That, to me, is important because I am getting the help I so desperately I have needed the last six months of my life. I am in Neuro feedback, which I'll write a separate post about ...

My personal favorites of Fall 2017. This will not be every single thing, but I will be showing a lot of what I just LOVE this fall season.  First and foremost, Titus, Lucy, and Winnie will always be my favorite in any season given. ;) I love them way more than they love me! hah! 2nd favorite is LOTION. I have moved to a drier climate than I am used to, so lotion has been amazing for me. I have been going through Avon's skin so soft lotion, moisture therapy from Avon, and Planet Spa from Avon as well. I have even been using the sensitive skin, skin  so soft body wash to help with the dry air! 3rd favorite is my oil diffuser. I use it all the time. I personally use young living and DoTerra oils, but whatever oils you do have will work with any diffuser; for the most part. hah! It's also helping the dry air as well. 4th favorite is my makeup! As an animal groomer, it's hard to wear eye makeup all the time, but I DO use my foundation (not pictured), Avon ...

Relaxing is absolutely necessary for the dog grooming profession. As I have said in previous posts, it is an extremely demanding job physically and emotionally not just for me, but for everyone in this line of work. As someone who has a diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), it takes more of a toll on me mentally and emotionally than physically. Calming down and relaxing is essential for my health.  How do you relax after a hard day at work? Everyone is different, but these are the things I enjoy doing in my down time! I love going to the dog park with my pups. I love seeing them run around and have all the space to roam around without worrying about them running away. finding treasures. big tree little dogs big tree little dogs I love hiking! In fact, this past week, I got to go on a two-mile hike near my house. It was extremely peaceful and got some beautiful pictures to show how beautiful it was.  Autumn is coming. hard to see, thoug...

In the world we live in now, it is filled with people who are looking for immediate gratification, self-centered humans, and people who throw tantrums over the silliest things. The tantrums, the yelling, the rude, belittling, and condescending comments are doing worse for the world and the people around us than you, as a customer think. Why you ask? Because you, the customer, do NOT know what others are going through just like I do NOT know what you are going through. I am in NO way perfect when it comes to being nice ALL the time, however, I try my hardest every day to be nice because I know that what someone is going through just might be a lot worse than I can comprehend.  As a dog groomer, I appreciate every single nice person. Since I have become a groomer, I have realized that it is SUCH a hard job to do. For a lot (obviously not all) of pet groomers, it is the stress of doing so many dogs, meeting quota/ a bottom line. For me, the stress of grooming are the cust...

I just can't believe two years have passed for me on 2 events in my life, and I am proud of myself for this accomplishment. My first accomplishment is that I have had Titus and Lucy for two years now! I call that their #gotchaday. We celebrated by going on a walk in a park, and they thought that was the best day ever! Lucy enjoyed coming across a prairie dog, which yelled at us, dogs, bugs, lizards, and wildlife. Titus wanted to just lay down by the creek the whole time we were there. In the picture, Titus is the one looking at me, and Lucy is the one really busy hunting. Couldn't get Lucy to look at the camera! They both have come such a long way. Titus is a canine good citizen, and Lucy is getting better at listening, and not just doing what she wants. (She's smart but so stubborn!) So pretty, isn't it?! Titus on left, Lucy on right My second accomplishment is that I have been selling Avon now for 2 years! What is exciting is that the same week, Avon came...

My Dog Grooming career that is! I have been Dog grooming on and off for the last seven years. When I began my career in the Dog Grooming industry, it was during the recession, and it was THE most difficult time to find ANY job. I was desperate for anything as far as jobs go. So, what got me into grooming? I was volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society back in 2009 when the recession is in full force. I figured since I cannot find work, why not volunteer my time in any way I can. I was also going to school and babysitting as well, and applying to jobs left and right. I realized at this time that most people were getting jobs because they had connections. I had absolutely no connections, so volunteering was my best option at the time. I had heard several of the staff members and volunteers that they needed help bathing and grooming the pets there. (This included the cats and dog nails, baths, haircuts - whatever it could do to help). However, i had ZERO experience involving this...