Cazstaff

Just out of interest I wrote to True Local as they have Splish Splash up on their site as a 5 star grooming salon I asked why the negative feedback had been removed and this is their reply: Hello Caroline, Please see an update to your enquiry below: TrueLocal (TrueLocal) Sep 06 11:09 (EST) We are very sorry to hear of your experience with Splish Splash Dog & Cat Grooming. We can see that a couple of pieces of feedback have been rejected and not put onto the Splish Splash Dog & Cat Grooming listing. The reasoning is quite harmless, firstly one of the reviews was rejected because the review was too vague eg: "extremely disappointed with this grooming service would not recommend to anybody" This review does not help a potential customer in their decision making process, if you could write another review that stated perhaps: I was extremely disappointed with this grooming service, they were careless with my dog when he was in their care and i would not recommend them. Please tailor your review to your specific experience, our guidelines can be found here: http://www.truelocal.com.au/cms/review-guidelines Hopefully these guidelines will help you with writing your review again. We would however stress that instances of malpractice or possible illegal activity cannot be mentioned on TrueLocal for legal reasons and as a result we would suggest you contact the relevant authorities with your concerns. The other review that has been reject was written by a friend of yours, this was rejected as we do not accept reviews that are second hand experience - They spoke of your experience only, not their own. We would encourage them , if they have had first hand experience with Splish Splash Dog & Cat Grooming to write a review specific to their own experiences. We hope this helps you when writing your next review and again we are sorry to hear of your loss. Regards The TrueLocal Team:

It will be 8 months tomorrow since I lost my gorgeous old Buddy but what an amazing impact his death has had. His legacy will live on through the Buddy Award thanks to the kindness and support of the professional grooming community. Jo Gray...I love you, you were my angel at a time when my world was unbearable, you made sure his death was not in vain. Jo Sillence, Kaye Brown and of course Les and Christine Speerin for creating and sponsoring the annual Buddy Award. Groomquest was awesome! I wouldn't know a good doggy haircut from a bad one but I can sure see someone who loves animals, is in sync with how the dog is feeling and is considerate and loving towards the dog they are grooming. The dog responds with tail wagging and a kiss and cuddle for her groomer even under the pressure of National Competition! That someone was Luckypup and what an appropriate dol nickname that is! Her clients are indeed very lucky pups. Leah and I watched Danni 'love' her dogs as she groomed them beautifully, we were drawn to Danni on day one (it was almost like Buddy had already chosen her for us ). Danni you must have been wondering why Leah and I kept hovering around you! The rest of the time just confirmed she had a special connection with each dog she groomed, she was 100% safe, never taking a hand off the dog as she moved about, she was gentle in the way she moved the dogs about,always taking time to pat and engage with the dog, they were a team, enjoying each other. I am touched by your kind words Luckypup and thrilled you are so proud of winning the Buddy Award. You are a very worthy winner and I hope others learn from you that you can do an award winning groom with award winning kindness! Im sure if dog owners wer asked what the most important citeria was for the person grooming their dog they would say care (kindness and safety) It was lovely to catch up with you too Lillypilly :) As for this post coming back up to the top of the list every now and then I hope it always does, just to catch new peoples attention and keep it at the forefront of peoples minds, in honour of my beautiful, gorgeous, handsome and so very special old Buddy. Who knows, maybe one day the media might even be brave enough to tackle it and put that stinky business that killed my dog, SPLISH SPLASH DOG AND CAT GROOMING at Penrith out on its ear :mad

Thankyou so much for all the supportive comments everyone, it is super special isn't it. My darling old man will be remembered. Its Christine and Les Speerin that have been doing the hard yards behind the scenes to get this up and running for Buddy (and a special lady called Jo). They are amazing people. It will be an annual reminder amongst the grooming community and hopefully an award the winning groomer will be proud to display. I sent Les a few photo's to choose from for Buddy's page but he liked the one of Buddy playing with the Koolie rescues from Griffith pound. Buddy loved playing with puppies. Sometimes it all seems like a bad dream, just a nasty rumour...... I still find it unbelieveable.

Purina GroomQuest 2013 have introduced an annual perpetual 'Buddy Award' to be presented each year. They have asked me to go to the show at Castle Hill at the end of August to judge and present it. How lovely that Buddy will be remembered and groomers reminded each year. I am so grateful to Les and Christine the organisers of Groom Quest for doing this. I miss my old man so much Here is a link to the Groom Quest page for Buddy. Buddys GroomQuest page

Both ACA and Today Tonight looked at Buddy's story and didnt want to cover it . I contacted the Penrith Press, they called me back for more details but I never heard from them again Nothing has happenned with the media,lots of people tried to help but nothing ever eventuated. I have written a short newspaper story as a English assignment and might even just send that out and see what happens. I think I'll name the Salon publically now, I'll put it in the title of this post. I was only waiting as the TV said IF they took it they would want to be able to 'break' the story, be first.

Congratulations Em and Spotted Devil! Its fun isnt it. Rocko did a short film with Wil Colvin a few years back and it was facinating to see how much work goes into every few seconds of final film.

Oh Rach you really are incredible! What absolutely beautiful Birthday photo's, you have gone to so much effort for Jaz and your boys. Happy 10th Birthday Jasmine :birthday: I need some time management tips from you K9angel, Im sure your days have more hours than mine! :laugh:

OMG, I knew I shouldn't have looked at that photo :cry: , Isn't she so incredibly beautifull Im sure at least half of the views of this thread are me lurking in the background I thought she already had a new home...? Anyone know who is fostering her ?

I have a grin from ear to ear, what a great 'feel good' clip. Just like my little Ziggy zoot,what would I do with out her!

Oh Wendy , what a beautiful tribute to Brianna and such gorgeous photo's. I am heartbroken for you and your family and have been thinking of you and sending you strength everyday. Rest in peace pretty Brightleaf Brianna, you and Buddy take care of each other :rainbowbridge:

Thankyou for your kindness everyone It has meant the world to me. I recieved the official AWL statement today, it sounds so mild compared to the event... ‘Animal Welfare League NSW Inspectors investigated an incident at a dog grooming salon in the Penrith area, where a dog died whilst it was left unattended, chained on a grooming table. The organisation in question has been issued with formal directions to ensure that this type of incident is not repeated and issued with an infringement notice for “failing to provide adequate care”. The directions that have been issued have been complied with, no further action will be taken against the organisation by AWL Inspectors. A submission is being prepared for the Department of Primary Industries with a view to amending the NSW Animal Welfare Code of Practice in relation to Animals in Pet Grooming Establishments to ensure that an accident of this nature does not occur again. by Damien Thiele, Head of Inspectorate Dept AWL I still miss him every day I have thrown myself into study to keep my head busy.

I had a wonderful day!, it was so nice to be among fellow dog lovers and rescue people again. To answer your questions in order Little Gifts.... Im not drunk(had to drive), Nope I didnt play tennis...Yep I got lots and lots of lovely sloppy doggy kisses , as for who's dog was embarrassing or naughty?? No ones! They were all adorable together. Little Sammy definitely won the cutest baby, what a gorgeous boy he is :love: His big sisters Stevie and Jody are both beautiful dogs so he's a lucky boy to have such great role models. The pug bubs Max and Boston are too cute, I bet Max is still asleep! I have never seen such a ball of energy :laugh: she played zoomies with the big dogs round and round and in and out of the pool! So funny. Madwoofters Tess is a gorgeous big girl, wolfy x dane :love: , her stunning big brother Flemming was enjoying playing with the young ones. It was extra lovely to finally meet the amazing K9angel and her talented side kick Jack, what special people they are.They brought pretty Jasmine with them and I got a lovely cuddle with her. Rach also had baked some special treats for all the dogs to share, don't know how you do so much special lady! My dear T was there too with her very yummy Harper :love: OMG, what a stunner she is. So pretty and soft and BIG. I had lots of Harper cuddles and kisses. Thankyou so much Katdogs and your OH for such a lovely relaxing day of yummy food and extra special company!

Oh Ditto! Me too :laugh: . I always have at least one bruised foot from being stepped on by an excited Rocko (67kg), Ruger or Charlotte. Ziggy and Sharni bark constantly when they play or when they follow the big guys out the door to investigate something.The big dogs won't bark unless its something major but the little girls want to let whatever it is know that they are coming! Charlotte is a compulsive licker and I havent been able to train it out of her. Legs, arms hands, your face if you bend over and even the air if she can't reach you....slap slap slap! Put that tongue away Charlotte!

Oh they are so sweet :love: You are wonderful to take on so many, I think its important for them to be with their littermates when they are so young. Keep up the photo's, I need puppy fix's regularly

Hugs to you Jed. Your compassion and understanding is so special. What you have been through would test anyones faith and I appreciate you sharing the things that have brought you comfort, they really do help me. The photo and the date it was taken is truely incredible.

Me too Leibhunde, he was so trusting and innocent just like a child.

Oh he is so beautiful :love: I can't wait to get my hands on him!

Wow Jed, that is amazing. The rainbow bridge was waiting for your dogs :cry: Thankyou so much for sharing Jed, its beautiful. :hug:

Oh yes, please share his photo's. I was thinking about him today and remembered how much he loved playing with the little coolie rescues... Billy a pup from Griffith was with us for 3 months and he and Buddy had quite a close bond...pair of snugglebums they were.

What a lovely story! Just meant to be by the look of it You'll have to foster another one now :D

I spoke to the AWL media person about them doing a Media release and after contacting the inspector she told me they wouldnt be but she was happy to make comment for any media things I organise. Something is in the works and hopefully finalised today if it comes off ;)

Thankyou so much for asking after me Snook and Missymoo. Its been 3 long weeks now and today I finally got the first bit of good news. The AWL Inspector called me to let me know after 'investigating' they had decided to charge the salon owner under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals act for failing to provide adequate care. Its the highest fine ($1000) they can issue with out taking it to court. I am so pleased that there has been official recognition of the horrid thing that happenned and that it was her fault!! The Inspector has also ordered changes to procedures and ensured me they will keep checking up to make sure they do everything they have been told to or they will be fined again. There are other things happenning too that I hope to be able to share with all you kind hearted people who have kept me afloat through this mad nightmare. Buddy has left such a huge gap! I find myself getting teary over silly things like the longer grass patches on the front lawn from where he would wee. They are tangible things from him being here that I don't want to go away, is that crazy? My dad (and mum when she was alive) has always been a Goldy lover,he was secretary of the GR Club years ago and has had Goldies for decades. When I adopted Buddy dad said 'now you've done it!' 'There is nothing that compares to Goldy love and once you have known it you can't live with out it!' I think he was right :cry:

He is soooo beautiful Whitka :love: My Buddy taught me that there is nothing quite like Goldy love, such a special breed.

I can't help you with textbooks but had to say OMG your boys are an incredibly handsome pair, just beautiful!

My thoughts and best wishes are with you and Spud tonight Miss2. How frightening for you. Its very lucky your husband was there when it hapenned and could have him to the vet so quickly. It will be a long night for you without your Spud at home but he is in the very best place for now. Hugs to you Caroline.