first grooming for Mimi (old lady corgi)

Mimi had her first professional grooming ever last Saturday. She is ten years old and I adopted her from a shelter when she was already seven, so nobody really knows what happened to her before. Her coat was a mess, matted under the belly and behind the ears, and I kept telling myself I would do it at home. I did not. Teh coat just kept getting worse. I found a small place near Rama 9, not a chain, just a lady with two dogs of her own and a clean little room. I was nervous. Mimi was nervous too, she shook a bit when we walked in and hid behind my legs. The groomer said, no problem, we go slowly. She gave her a treat before even touching the brush. That was the moment I started to like her. It took almost three hours. The groomer had to cut quite a lot of the mats off, and she said it is better to shave some parts short than to pull, because pulling hurts the skin. I agreed, of course. Mimi came out looking like a different dog, very short on the belly and nice fluffy legs. She looked younger, and also a bit cold, so I bought a small sweater on the way home. The price was around 900 baht. Honestly I dont think it was cheap, but it was fair, and in Germany it would be double, so maybe that is why I felt good about paying it. What I learned: the grooming is not just for looks. The skin under the mats had some red spots, the groomer said it is probably from the matting itself and not an infection, but I will keep an eye on it. I booked a follow up in three weeks, I think it will be a good routine. Also I definately need to start brushing her every second day at home, which I know I will not do properly. If anyone has a corgi with long hair on the back, its worth asking for a short cut in the summer. Mimi is happier with less hair in this heat, I can see it. She walks more now, and she sleeps on the cool tile by the fan instead of under the blanket.