Go Mobile and Succeed

SAVED BY THE SWITCH

    A few weeks ago when I started my Sprinter, the battery was dead. I knew something was wrong when the door wouldn't open using the keyless remote. I got in the van and I put the key in the ignition…nothing! I had used the van all day Friday and never had a problem before. I checked to see if I had left something on over the weekend that might drain the battery but everything was fine. I had a full day of grooming ahead! What was I going to do? I didn’t want to reschedule all my customers and even worse, where would I put them? I was fully booked all week.

    Before I made calls to see if I could find someone to come and jump start the Sprinter, I called DH at work. I told him what happened. “Didn’t you have a switch installed next to the steering wheel when you bought the van? Try that.” I went to the van, used the switch, put the key in the ignition, VOILA! The engine started right up! Oh, happy me!  

    I went down to my office and looked through the van’s paper work. Sure enough, there it was. I had paid an extra $112.00 to have a “battery jumper switch system” installed in my Sprinter. I had learned about this from another mobile groomer who had the same van I planned to purchase. She had suggested I get one too. I had thought to myself, “All I have to do is use it once and it’s paid for itself.” Well, today was the day! It was worth every penny because this switch has saved the day for me not once but twice. Eventually, I did have to replace my battery, however, it did keep me up and running when the van wouldn’t start.    

   If you are buying a new vehicle and don’t have the opportunity to have a jumper switch installed you can always buy a portable jump starter. Black and Decker makes many different models, very reasonable priced. The jump starter is plugged in at home and charged. This charge lasts for about six months. If your van doesn’t start, small jumper cables from the jump starter are connected to the battery. This gives you the opportunity to jump start your vehicle without another car and it only takes a few minutes. The jump starter also has some other features that could come in handy in an emergency. It has a LED light and gives you the opportunity to charge electronics like your phone because it is a source of DC power.    

   Speaking from personal experience being able to jump start your vehicle by yourself is a godsend, especially when you are in the mobile grooming business. We don’t have time to wait for service calls. We don’t want to disappoint and inconvenience our customers by having to reschedule. The founder of the Boy Scouts, Lord Bayton Powell once said, “Be Prepared.” Certainly wise words that every mobile groomers should take to heart.

 Ellen Ehrlich  Author of the book GO MOBILE AND SUCCEED

Example of a Policy/Release Form for Matted Dogs From "Go Mobile and Succeed"

If your pet is matted and you would like them brushed out, there we will be a $1.00 per minute de-matting fee. We will not de-matt a pet for longer then 30 minutes because it is too stressful for your pet.

 

If your pet cannot be humanly de-matted, we may ask permission to clip the hair short and “start over.”

 
Matted pets may require shaving or hydro clipping This may incur an extra fee due to the additional time it takes.

We will always ask your permission before doing either service.

 

Please keep in mind that a matted coat can cause numerous health problems, including itching, irritation and skin infections. It also increases the chances a pet may be nicked while clipping. Royal Canine Mobile Grooming  is not responsible for any pre-existing conditions due to a matted coat.

 

After dematting or clipping we would be happy to recommend the appropriate grooming schedule for your pet.

 

 

 

Owner_______________________________________   Date__________________

Health Scare

   I’ve just had the worst health scare of my life. After experiencing strange symptoms, I made an appointment to see a neurologist who then referred me a neurosurgeon. I had a series of tests done and received some very good news. After living with the thought that I might have a terrible illness, I’m alright. In that moment, I saw my life flash before me.  I knew I had to make some changes.  

1.  I’m not going to work so hard. I’m going to remind myself that I’m not twenty years old      anymore.
2.  I’ve ordered a rodeo stool and am going to learn to sit when grooming.
3.  I’m taking more time off.
4.  I want to spend more time writing.     

   To all those hard working groomers out there…take a good look at your work habits. I considered myself as healthy as a horse until I got sick. I ask you, what changes can you make to prevent an injury or an illness? It might be wearing a mask or hearing protection when you are grooming. It might be hiring someone to help you on busy days or grooming one less dog a day even though you might make less money. It might be letting the dogs and customers that stress you out go elsewhere.    

   I’m not a religious person but after this experience, things have become much more clear. As I prayed, I realized what is most important. It’s your health!  No matter how much money you make or what material things you own or how successful you are, without your health, you have nothing.     

   I’m on a plane right now returning from a vacation at Paradise Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming with my grooming buddy Rhonda thinking how lucky I am. I galloped my horse through the mesa in the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains. I saw moose, fox, elk antelope and deer. I sat by the fireplace and square danced and laughed until I cried. I can’t wait to see my family and tell them all about my trip. Tomorrow I have four dogs on my schedule and I’m OK with that. After this experience, I’ve changed my definition of success. Success to me is planting flowers on a sunny day, throwing a frisbee for my dog, trying a new recipe, watching a TV show without feeling guilty about all the things I should  be doing or just taking the time to do nothing at all.  

Ellen Ehrlich  GO MOBILE AND SUCCEED