SAGE Advice

To my dear friend Peggy

Greetings to my grooming family. As many of you know, another one of the greats has passed. It is with deep regret that we are mourning the loss of Peggy Harris. I will be traveling today to attend Peggy's funeral and joining friends and family to celebrate her life. At this time, I am publishing the eulogy I have prepared for the ceremony. Thanks for reading.

Dear Friends and Family - My name is Chuck Simons and I am a friend of Peggy’s from the Grooming Industry she so loved. I am in still in shock - and like all of you and I will be for some time.

Sudden loss catches us all off guard. What can you do or say when you feel so helpless?

I loved Peggy Harris. She gave off a loving warmth and when Peggy was at a show -  everyone felt secure that she was there to take care of us! She was like the Grooming Industry’s house mom!

Peggy wore many hats - grooming coordinator, competition judge, certifier, speaker, mentor, motivator, psychologist, comedienne, and cheerleader. But most of all, I think she represented the real people in our industry.

I am honored to speak about my friend here in front of all who knew and loved her. My condolences go out to all who knew and loved Peggy. To her family and friends I am so sorry for your loss.

I have been asked by Jeff and MaryAnn Reynolds - who could not be here today to talk about Peggy and her many life accomplishments in the Grooming Industry.

For those who did not know of Peggy’s life in the Pet Industry Peggy started her career at age 15 and developed an obsession and passion for everything that was canine related.

Over her thirty-six year career Peggy has been a competition groomer, speaker, grooming judge, and has finished many champions in the show ring. In 1996 Peggy became a certifier for The National Dog Groomers Association of America and in 2004 Peggy became the National Coordinator for the NDGAA.

Peggy was a firm believer in continuing education and attended AKC breed seminars, veterinary seminars, as well as many behavioral seminars. Peggy felt it an honor to pass on her gained knowledge to others through workshops and lectures.

I did not know Peggy as well as some here but the Peggy I knew after attending dozens of shows with her was a kind and loving person more interested in others then herself. She took the time to be “Real People” with everyone she touched.

In my eyes Peggy was a friend to many and enemy to none. Peggy was everything a Professional Groomer, Handler and Industry Professional was about.

Her smile was infectious….her wit and humor quick and contagious. Everything about her was real. She put the Capital P in professional. If you were her friend - it was forever. She would give the shirt off her back and help anyone in need.

Peggy had a way about her where she could bust your chops one moment and then she took your kidding right back in good humor the next.

You felt warm and secure when Peggy was there as she took care of all the details. When anyone had a question or issue it was - ask Peggy.

What a great loss to her family, friends and the industry she adopted. I know Jeff Reynolds has lost a true friend and ally, as we all have. He will find it difficult if not impossible to fill her shoes. She was the National and was the epitome of an American Pet Groomer. This is a great loss to those who would have been inspired by her.

Sad sad day! The world is now a colder place without her.

We can only envy the Angels in Heaven for they now have Peggy to organize their days as she puts her loving arms around them.

I believe there is a Rainbow Bridge we will all cross one day so Via Con Dios sweet lady…. until we meet again. Rest in peace Peggy, we will never forget you.

To Friends of Luther Edmonson

Thanks to all who have visited the new web site www.weloveluther.com and all who have contributed to the effort! We love YOU at weloveluther.com. Please let me take a moment to talk about our industry's Goodwill Ambassador.

Anyone who has met Luther will remember him. He has been giving Hugs for Cokes at grooming trade shows for decades and is a well-known judge at grooming competitions. His work has been featured in grooming magazines and online. But we mostly know him as a southern ray of sunshine who keeps us all smiling at the trade shows.

Along with his wife Tomilee and daughter Carla, a virtual museum of Coca Cola memorabilia is put on display in Luther's booth along with a variety of special treats to feed the masses. And of course, plenty of Coca Cola for all. I especially love the tortilla chips shaped like Texas, and I have made many a meal out of their homespun buffet.

As some of you may know, Luther had a medical condition that put him in the hospital and made it impossible for him to groom or attend trade shows. With his livelihood put on hold, the medical bills began to pile up and now he is in need of our assistance.

Paula Nelson, Wille's daughter, has put together a benefit concert with her band the Guilty Pleasures, along with Waylon Payne, McLemore Avenue, Carolyn Wonderland and Gary Nunn. What an incredible group of artists. The benefit will take place at The Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas. This is a location that is know for the musical talent that performs there regularly.

There will be an auction of memorabilia including an autographed guitar with signatures from Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. And plenty of good food, good drink and good spirits!

For details on this event, visit www.weloveluther.com. You will find links to the artists web sites and a link to The Saxon Pub, along with a guest book to leave Luther a special message. PLEASE leave a message if you can, because Luther needs to know just how important he is to all of us.

You can also make a donation on the Please Donate page. But, even if you cannot make a donation, please leave a message for Luther and send a hug back his way. We all hope to see him back at the trade shows soon, and I hope to see y'all in Austin on April 11.

Saying Goodbye to Another Year

We have all worked hard through this incredible year and I hope that everyone is ready for a safe and happy 2010. We are the Champions of the Industry and it is my belief that more and more pet owners are learning this. Of course, we will always have to take the bad with the good. Biting dogs, irate customers, missed appointments - these are just some of the frustrating details we all deal with in our day-to-day duties. But here we are - ready to welcome the New Year!

I am thankful that I have been able to affect so many groomers this year with my seminars across the country. Professional pet groomers have learned that they have a great ally in me, and that I will be there for them through thick and thin. I answer questions by email - and on my toll free number - about grooming equipment, running a shop, how to pay employees - you name it!

I am always happy to help! As you have read on this Blog, I have been able to help some of the best and brightest in the business, and I have no plans of stopping any time soon.

In fact, I am happy to announce that I will be taking my seminars overseas in 2010 and presenting them in Ireland and the UK. With thanks to a new distributor in the EU, I am expanding my reach into new markets and will be making thousands of new friends.

So, this is a wonderful time for me as so many groomers take the time to thank me for the help I have offered. And many more have thanked me for the invention of the Groomers Helper. At each and every show, groomers come forward to say how the product has improved their ability to groom easier and smarter. They actually push me out of the way to talk about the product.

But it is also this time of year that can be bittersweet as we look back on the friends and family we may have lost. Most recently, my dear friend John Nash passed away and his memory will never fade from my mind. I was lucky enough to see him earlier this year, and I cherish that time we spent together. John was never one to rest on his laurels, and his recent projects included helping to finance start up businesses in Jamaica. What an incredible effort!

So I offer this photo of Santa Simons and hope you have a great holiday and a Happy New Year! Please email me or call and we can talk about our hopes and goals for a prosperous 2010.

My Friend and Mentor

I was in Minneapolis on Saturday for another edition of the popular Super Styling Sessions with Sue Zecco and Jay Scruggs. It was another great show and even more so as I was able to have lunch with Dr. R.K. Anderson. I am proud to say he is my friend and mentor. What a thrill! It is always great to be around the people you admire and look up to.

The good doctor is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading authority on animal behavior. He has served as my mentor for many years, and I first got to know him when he sent me the Alpha Lock. As many of you know, the Alpha Lock is now the Groomers Helper.

In 2007, the Morris Animal Foundation honored him by establishing the "R. K. Anderson Endowment Fund for Research on Improving the Behavior of Companion Animals." He has dedicated his life to understanding our pets and how we interact with them. But more importantly, he is concerned with how our companion animals are treated by vets, groomers and other professionals in the field.

By following his lead, I put my efforts into creating Save Americas Pets, a 501c3 that was established in 2009. While we are still working to launch the charity and become the "United Way" of pet rescue organizations, I continue to follow Dr. Anderson's lead. And so, when I had the opportunity to meet with him this past weekend, I jumped at the chance.

Dr. Anderson can serve as a role model for so many of us. He continues his quest for pet understanding and works to help pet owners become more responsible. Even at age 87, he is a powerhouse of goodwill who sets the bar for the entire pet care industry.

Thanking You for your THANK YOUs!

One of the most wonderful things about our grooming business is that we are more like a family than just about any other industry. When we are together at a tradeshow, there are so many smiles and hugs that it feels like a reunion. I love the positive energy that surrounds those events. I try hard to keep that same positivity in my salon on a daily basis.

I would like to share some examples of the cards and letters that I receive from my extended family of groomers. I cannot thank you all enough for your telephone calls and email messages, including the many groomers who post online. This is a big part of why I do what I do for the CHAMPIONS of the pet business.

Dear Chuck,

You are a sage and a mensch. Thank you so much for donating a Groomers Helper to Pet Harmony for the Animal Compassion Network. I have already used it (and was so glad I had it!) and have also used much of your advice from the lecture at Groomfest.

Without people like you, ACN could not continue to do the good work we do for animals. Thank you for helping us help animals find a better life.

Together in Rescue,
Michele Louzon

Dear Chuck,

I want to tell you that I participated in the Carolina GroomFest in Columbia, SC. I was lucky to place 1st in Sporting entry division and also Best All Around Groomer entry division. I want to thank you for sponsoring these classes and to tell you how much I appreciate you support - not only in one class but two! You are really a special person.

Without these shows we would have a hard time improving our grooming skills and becoming experts at the styles for our customers pets. We also would not be able to see first hand products like the Groomers Helper. I do have one and I can tell you after the first dog I used it on - I was hooked! I truly love it!

Thank you so much for sponsoring these classes and your wonderful Groomers Helper.

Sincerely,
Kathy Stefanski

Thanks so much for being our Stainless Steel Sponsor, Chuck! We appreciate you.

Linda Claflin
GroomTeam USA
Board member