Doc Halligan Blogs: Ep. 9 - Look-alikes

June 06, 2009

Okay, it’s down to the fab five and I just loved this quick sniff challenge because it really shows you who has more of an eye for detail. Plus, it showed you how many purebred Basset Hounds are out there so kudos to Daphneyland for rescuing these beautiful creatures! Be sure to check out your local shelter (or Petfinder) even if you are looking for a purebred dog because about 25% of the dogs in the shelters are purebreds! Congratulations to Lisa for winning, and Huber for coming in second. I felt bad for Cassandra and learned that she never did find her dog and had to get some help locating him.

I also liked the grooming challenge to make the dog look like the owner. It’s funny because sometimes owners do start to look like their pets and visa versa. I remember, a few years back, wanting to dye my hair Auburn to match my beloved chocolate lab Duke’s color but the hair stylist talked me out of it. It's crazy how much you can love an animal!

Overall, I thought the groomers did a good job but Bill really stood out because, in addition to having fun, he used his grooming skills combined with his creativity to really knock us over with his sexy poodle Riva who looked like owner Vanessa from head to tail including the tummy and derriere! 

Again, I felt bad for Cassandra because she didn’t have a good rapport with Mike and didn’t seem to enjoy this challenge at all. And then, when Lisa swapped out Danielle for Huber it really stacked against her. Both Joey and I did feel bad sending her home because she has a lot of potential and I know she will go on to be a fantastic groomer!

I also want to take a moment to give a big THANK YOU to all of you folks who undeniably support rescuing from a shelter and showed so much interest in the shelter dogs from the last episode. We have had an outpouring of support and interest in general so it’s nice to see that people love to help the underdog!

Talk with you all next week and be sure to visit me at the Virtual Vet on Animal Planet -- and send me an e-mail or join my free email newsletter at www.dochalligan.com to stay in touch!

Doc Halligan
“Rescue a pet, save a life!”
www.dochalligan.com

Comments

[G. O'Donnell]

I think you judges should feel bad for Cassandra. On 2 previous episodes, she had bigger dogs than everyone else and grooming time was taken away from her on either Episode 6 or 7 (I can't quite remember). If everyone only has 2 hours to groom, it is not fair to give everyone else smaller dogs and her the big ones. On episode 8, someone should have been sent home but was not. I think switching in and out contestants is not right either as Lisa did in Episode 9. They should be judged according to their work. I think this has been a very unfair competition for Cassandra and I am not sure that I will continue to watch because I am upset at the way she has been treated. She probably wouldn't have won the overall, but I feel she should have made the top 4 or even 3 like she wanted to. I think Groomer Has It should seriously consider changing the rules so that all contestants are on "the same playing field". It might make the show more enjoyable to watch. G.M. O'Donnell -Graduated Master Groomer / Star Academy for Pet Stylists

[Kate & Zena]

I was so surprised when I saw that many basset hounds in the Quick Sniff. Yay for y'all finally having Victoria Stilwell on the show! I loved that Lisa looked for the butt pattern and Bill's commentary. I have a rare breed so she's pretty easy to spot but her markings are also in the shape of a tuxedo so it makes her even more obvious!

Zena actually looks like all of the people in my family. We all have very distinct profiles and we all have a good amount of muscle. A Decker Rat Terrier just fit us to a 'T.'

Doc, you look best with blonde hair. I can't even imagine you Auburn!

[V-petluver]

I really enjoyed the Quick Sniff this time, I would have loved to try and find my dog among all the others, although I'm sure my big black dog would show up pretty good among a bunch of short Basset Hounds! No offence! I think it was a great idea trying to make the owners look like the dogs and the dogs look like their owners! I think it was a really fun show this time. I do feel bad for Cassandra though, I believe she had a good hand for grooming, good luck to her! Also over all I think Bill did do the best job, a little over done as it may have been at least it was creative!
P.S I agree you should stick with blonde! lol.

[K9 Care]

Hi Doc, No auburn please! That's for Irish setters only! LOL Blondes have more fun! Loved your critique on Bill's poodle! The look on Xavier's face was priceless!! I think you all had fun with this challenge as well as doing a great job checking for the usual grooming requirements. Joey looked like he was watching a star pupil at his school when Bill presented his dog! That was the most impressed I've ever seen him.Bill has stepped up his game, Danielle needs to stay focused, Huber is going to be there as long as he remains in his zone, and Lisa is REALLY "in it to win it". She described herself like a terrier personality, yeah - a pitbull terrier!! Look out groomers, Lisa is going for it big-time!! Good luck to all!! Eagerly awaiting next week's episode. Carol.

[jillian]

OMG!Im so mad Cassandra got clipped she was a really good groomer and did WAY better than Daneille (sorry if I spelled her name wrong)but Lisa did when the quick sniff challenge and made a horrible decission but she did have a point for chosing Daneille I was really sad to see cassie go :(

[Lis]

Every single episode, Cassandra has had a reason why she didn't quite manage to do the job set in the challenge. I was, frankly, sick of listening to her whining. And, sorry, but it was really telling that in the Quick Sniff, she had no idea which of the bassets was hers.

She may be a decent groomer, but of those last five, she would be my last choice to groom my dog.

[BJ]

I agree with Lis. I would have felt bad for Cassandra if just once she would have stood up and said "OK I messed up. I will do better next time." She was to busy whining about how everything was unfair and it wasn't her fault to do her best. She could have gone farther if she would have put that energy into doing the best job she could with what she was handed.

[mug]

i have to disagree with G. O'Donnell because groomer of the year has to have it all, and of course other competitors had situations like that, they can't just feel sorry for her and let her go on, she is a good groomer but all those excuses and whining just drove some of us crazy.But i was surprised when she got voted off.

[Jessica I.]

Danielle should have went home, hands down!!! Her dog didn't look any different after being groomed and Cassandra did an excellent job. I am really mad that she was voted off!!!

[Jane Paulus]

I think Cassandra is a product of our society. We have raised people to whine and find the fault with someone else. I found her pretty normal and very entertainingl.