from Kelcie Brown
One evening, while at dinner with some friends from school, the topic of creative grooming came up. Now, these
friends are college students, and they are not well versed in the art of creative grooming. In fact, I only know
as much as I do because my mom happens to be the CEO of an organization dedicated to creative grooming.
Anywho, someone asked what exactly creative grooming was. “It’s, er, something creative groomers
do. They color their dogs and groom them into different things, like a pony or a zombie. Or, well, that’s
not always what it is. It can be more simple than that, like a colored tail or rhinestone earrings,” I
stammered. The subject quickly changed to the usual topic of studying for that soon-to-arrive exam,
but I kept thinking about that question, “What is creative grooming?”
It seems as though it should be easy enough to define, so I am sitting down to think of a
‘technical’ definition for creative grooming. This way, I can define it quickly and accurately for
my friends or anyone else who inquires about it.
First and foremost, the definition must include the trademark of creative – adding
color. This seems to be one of the most popular ways to be creative. I know right
away, though, that there is more to it than that. Typical competition grooms
would not be complete with just color, and salon creative can be complete
without any color at all.
So, what else is there? What about things like bows, necklaces,
and bandanas? Are those creative? What about color enhancing
services? Does that need to be included? This is becoming
more complicated by the minute. Regardless, I have to start
somewhere.
At first glance, salon-type creative grooms seem to
be easier to describe, so this is where I shall begin.
In the salon, creative grooming is done in addition
to a traditional pet groom or breed profile groom.
While some accessories, such as bows, may not
necessarily be the focal point of a creative groom,
they can certainly accentuate it.
‘A creative groom is any personal touch done
to enhance a typical pet groom or breed
profile groom.’ That sounds like a good start
and appears to cover most techniques. It
encompasses dye, glitter, rhinestones, and
other accessories and does not limit creative to
one species (We can’t forget cats!).