Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming

26/07/2026

Another weekend enjoying some of Mother Nature’s finest.
This time in Norfolk.
The place I grew up.

Saw a two day old grey seal pup yesterday. ❤️ 🦭

I reopen on Wednesday after the groom room has had all
its windows and ceiling professionally painted. After my terrible job when I first opened! 😂

See you all soon

Caroline

17/07/2026

You know those days where absolutely nothing goes to plan? 😂🐾

First came Fluffy, who’d managed to poo all over himself on the journey to me. Let’s just say I’m now a seasoned professional at removing poop… cue outfit change. 💩🤦🏼‍♀️

Then Sooty the guinea pig decided my lap was the perfect place for a massive wee. Another change of clothes.

And finally, sweet elderly Nessa (who has hyperthyroidism and drinks gallons) absolutely drenched me. Not a little guinea pig-sized accident… a full-on soaking. 🚿

Three outfit changes, that’s a first for me! Thank goodness for my Pewsuits.
Just another day at Bentley & Bear! 🐾❤️

Tell me I’m not the only one who’s had a day of it! I didn’t even mention I’ve done 3 and half lion trims, Formidable Florence puncturing my hand or Tallulah the Persian trying to show me she’s boss. 🤦🏼‍♀️

15/07/2026

14/07/2026

I’ve been following the Animal Focused Alliance since they launched. I was curious from the very beginning about what they stood for.

I’m not someone who rushes into joining organisations - especially when there’s a membership fee involved. There are several out there specifically for groomers but I prefer to take my time and make sure I’m investing in something that genuinely aligns with my own values.

As the Alliance has grown, I’ve enjoyed seeing the conversations they’ve been encouraging across the animal care sector, and I’ve found myself repeatedly nodding along.
One part of their Code of Conduct particularly resonated with me: every member commits to protecting the physical, emotional and behavioural wellbeing of each animal in their care.
Those words matter.

I also love their belief in continual professional development and collaboration.

The more we share knowledge, challenge our own thinking and continue learning from one another, the more the animals in our care stand to benefit.

That really echoes the way I’ve always tried to work at Bentley & Bear.

So, it felt like the right time for me to invest and become a member. ☺️

I’m looking forward to learning from them, contributing to them and being part of a community that’s working to raise standards across the animal care sector.

Here’s to collaboration, continual learning and always striving to do better—for the animals who rely on us. 💚🐾

13/07/2026

We’re just on our way home after a wonderful weekend wild camping in Sussex. ⛺️💚

Last night I saw glow worms for the very first time in my life, quietly glowing at the edge of the woods just outside our tent. It might sound like a small thing, but moments like that make me incredibly happy.

It turns out glow worms aren’t actually worms at all—they’re beetles. The glowing green light is produced by the females to attract a mate on warm summer nights. ✨

The photos were taken on my phone in the dark, so they’re not the best, but hopefully you’ll get the gist. The clear one I stole from the www.

Anyway I’ll be reopening tomorrow, after a proper nights sleep in my own bed and all messages and enquiries will be replied to later today when I’ve unpacked or tomorrow.

I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend too. 🐾

11/07/2026

The heat puts pressure on many of the underlying conditions in our pets. The kidneys have to go into overdrive, the heart faces overwhelming pressure, and the lungs are worked to Olympic level. Pets facing this heat can exacerbate underlying conditions. That heart murmur may explode into a whole array of symptoms, the low grade kidney disease could become advanced.

Keep them cool, preferably below 19c, make sure they’re hydrated using water fountains and multiple water sources, add electrolytes if appropriate, wet them with COLD water periodically, monitor their clinical signs, and DO NOT, for dogs, think about walking in this hot weather.

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
I’m a vet helping pet professionals and pet owners to do their best ❤️

09/07/2026

📴 A little digital break…

Just a quick note to let everyone know that from tomorrow I’ll be taking a few days away from my phone and the groom room will be closed, so I won’t be available to respond to messages or enquiries during this time.

Normal service will resume on Tuesday, and all messages will be replied to as soon as possible after I return.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 🐾

P.S. Whilst I’m away, here’s a photo of the goodest boy, Riley. 🧡

He really is one of the most chilled-out cats you’ll ever meet. Pottered in here like he owned the place, made himself right at home. 🥰

When I first met him, it was clear he’d been through the mill. Thankfully, he landed exactly where he was meant to be, with the wonderful people who gave him the love, patience and security he deserved.

Looking at him now, you’d never guess his past. He’s living proof of what kindness, patience and a whole lot of TLC can do.

See you all on Tuesday! 🐾

09/07/2026

🏆 A little bit of exciting news…

Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming has been recognised as…. drumroll please

‘Best Fear-Free Dog & Cat Groomer 2026’

in the SME Business Elite Awards.

When I started Bentley & Bear, I didn’t set out to collect any awards. I just knew I wanted to create a place where dogs and cats could be groomed with kindness, patience and understanding.

Being Fear Free Certified isn’t simply a certification. It requires ongoing education and annual renewal, helping me stay up to date with the latest knowledge in animal behaviour, handling and welfare. It’s a commitment I choose to make because our understanding of how animals learn, cope and communicate is always evolving.

To me, fear-free grooming isn’t about expecting every pet to enjoy being groomed. It is actually about listening to what they’re telling me, adapting my approach, and treating them as thinking, feeling individuals rather than simply ‘a job’ to complete. I’ve always said I work with, not on your pet.

Sometimes that means taking a break or playing a game.
Sometimes it means doing some training or simply changing the plan.
Sometimes it’s about building their confidence at every tiny step.

If a pet leaves feeling safer than when they arrived, that’s a success.

This award recognises that philosophy, and I’m incredibly proud of that.

Thank you as always to everyone who has trusted me with your wonderful companions and supported Bentley & Bear over the years - I’m almost fully booked until 2027 and I don’t take that lightly. ☺️ Every wag, purr and tiny step forward reminds me why this work matters. 💙🐾