Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming

25/11/2025

✨ Nala’s First Groom ✨

Beautiful Nala — a domestic short-haired tabby with the sweetest expression — came for her very first groom with me today. We kept everything soft and reassuring, working together in my lap so she could feel grounded, secure and fully supported throughout.

For her coat-care, Nala enjoyed a bespoke cleansing refresh using a gentle, naturally-derived repellent shampoo — a lovely option for cats who enjoy their outdoor adventures and sometimes bring a little of that environment home with them! It helps reset the coat, removes any hitchhikers hiding in the coat and leaves everything feeling fresh and comfortable.

She settled beautifully, tuned in to the process, and showed all the signs of a cat who could really relax into the session. Here she is in the box dryer which was only used briefly to help get her tummy dry. An absolute little star for her first visit. 💛🐾








📲 WhatsApp me to book07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

24/11/2025

✨ I had the loveliest chat with Jo Wallace on The Pet Groomer Community podcast! ✨

We covered all things holistic grooming — from behaviour-led handling and creating true choice and agency for pets, to how I weave calm, connection and low-stress methods into every appointment here at Bentley & Bear.

If you’d like a little behind-the-scenes insight into why I groom the way I do (and hear me trying not to waffle 😅), you can listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

A huge thank you to Jo from JW Pet Services Grooming & Tutoring for inviting me. She’s such a warm, thoughtful host and made it feel like a conversation between friends.

If you give it a listen, let me know what resonated the most for you. 🩷🐾

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vr3KRAGConXpyk6u7oKcV?si=4TY_V9-eSVKx_RfPy8YLgQ

The Pet Groomer Community Podcast · Episode

22/11/2025

If anyone would like to donate and wants to drop anything off to me at the groom room I’m happy to take to Jo at Kitty's Rawr Store for the NAWT shoebox appeal x

It's nearly Christmas, so please help us treat the animals in our care!

22/11/2025

Here’s beautiful Bella after her tidy lion trim today 🦁🐱💗

And because I’m often asked why a shorthaired cat might ever need one, here’s a little info for anyone curious:

When Might a Lion Trim Be Appropriate for a Shorthaired Cat?

✨ Matted or compacted areas
Even short coats can form tight knots, especially on the belly, armpits and inner thighs. Clipping avoids discomfort and unnecessary pulling.

✨ Supporting skin and hygiene needs
A trim can make it easier to keep certain areas clean and to monitor sensitive skin without excessive brushing.

✨ Changes in mobility or flexibility
Older cats, stiff cats or those recovering from injury may not reach all the areas they once could.

✨ Behavioural or sensory comfort
Some cats simply find prolonged brushing overwhelming. A calm, minimal-contact trim can be a kinder option.

There are various reasons a lion trim may be chosen — and as always, the priority is comfort, safety and working in a low-stress way that suits the individual cat.

If you’re ever unsure what your cat might need, I’m always happy to offer gentle, judgement-free guidance. 💗🐾








📲 WhatsApp me to book07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

22/11/2025

Holistic grooming isn’t just about the products I choose — it’s about ethics, safety, transparency and emotional wellbeing.
I’m proud to share this new Animal Focussed Alliance badge, recognising Bentley & Bear as Properly Insured & Professionally Responsible.
It’s another layer of reassurance that your pet’s welfare always comes first here. 🌿🐾

Animal Focused Alliance

21/11/2025

✨ Lulu’s First Puppy Introduction to the Grooming environment ✨

Beautiful little Lulu the Goldendoodle came for her first proper puppy introduction session today, after a lovely Meet & Treat. And what a superstar she was. 🤍

We focused on building positive associations with the grooming environment — using short, structured moments of handling to introduce her to different tactile sensations. Lulu explored her brushes and combs through desensitisation and gradual exposure, always paired with gentle voice cues and lots of choice-based pauses so she could process each new sensation at her own pace.

She’s already showing some fantastic early cue responses too. With a bit of support, she’s learning how to find her calm and regulate herself so her ability to listen and take in information improves. You can actually see her little brain working when she pauses, breathes, and re-engages — perfect early foundations for low-stress, cooperative grooming in the future. 🐾

Such a bright girl with a lovely desire to connect — sometimes with needle sharp puppy teeth 😆 I’m excited to continue her gentle grooming education.

Welcome to the Bentley & Bear family, Lulu. 🤍






📲 WhatsApp me to book 07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

21/11/2025

✨ Magic moments with Caspar ✨

Caspar the Ragdoll kitten visited me today, bringing with him the softest energy.
Those pale blue eyes, that butter soft silky coat and his natural curiosity… everything about him felt dreamy. 💙

For his first gentle groom, he moved through each step with ease — almost as though he was drifting along on a little cloud. A tiny pause here, a soft lean-in there.
He let his playful side flutter in too, when the wand appeared… a delicate tap, and a little pounce. 🪄

He left looking velvety and serene, still wrapped in that kitten-soft magic.

A truly dreamy little soul — such a lovely presence to have in the groom room. ✨








📲 WhatsApp me to book07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

18/11/2025

*** Appointment has now been taken ***

Hello,

I am joyfully fully booked until Christmas 🎄 but have just had a two hour slot become available on Thursday 18th December so quite close to the big day!

It’s at 2.30pm, would anyone like it?

It could be for two cats or rabbits or one dog.

First come first served. ⛄️

WhatsApp me to book 📱 07980676897

P.S. I have had quite a few clients that book their Xmas slot for the following year do so already… feel free to book yours. 🎅🏼

📸 Pic of beautiful rescued greyhounds Eden and anxious girlie Asha who is adjusting to her new life after the traumas from her old racing one.

09/11/2025

💜

They did not know the reason why,
The planes would roar across the sky,
A master’s call, a whistle blown,
And off they ran through lands unknown.

They carried words through shot and flame,
No fear could break their steady aim,
Messenger dogs, through smoke and wire,
They ran through hell, through mud and fire.

They searched for wounded in the rain,
Their paws fell soft on fields of pain,
With gentle teeth and patient eyes,
They pulled the fallen back to life.

As sentries through the endless night,
They stood where men had lost their sight,
They barked at shadows, sensed the wrong,
Their courage kept the weak hearts strong.

In mines and traps their noses led,
They walked where even angels dread,
Each step a gift, each breath a chance,
To keep their masters’ safe advance.

And when the guns fell still at last,
They lingered where the dying passed,
Beside the men who could not stand,
They laid their heads in trembling hands.

They did not know of hate or pride,
Of reasons why so many died,
They only knew one sacred law—
To love, to serve, to stand in awe.

So mark their names in silence deep,
Where loyal hearts forever sleep,
For though they never sought renown,
They wore the bravest kind of crown.

Lest we Forget

07/11/2025

Did anyone send me a lovely Neil’s Yard gift via Amazon?
It’s just arrived but with no name on it? So I don’t know who to thank.
☺️

07/11/2025

❣️Important notice ❣️

Hello again friends,

I wanted to give everyone a gentle heads up that from 1st December 2025 there will be a small £5 increase per groom. This applies to dogs, cats and small furries. I haven’t actually raised my prices for about 2yrs. I appreciate I am not the cheapest groomer in the area but I do feel my skill set with regards holistic practices warrants my worth.

As you know, I pour an incredible amount into creating a calm, one-to-one, behaviour-led grooming space. I’m always investing in continued education, specialist products, safety equipment and the little details that help your pets feel secure, understood and genuinely cared for. This small adjustment helps me keep doing that — and keep doing it well. 🤍

To sweeten the blow, every dog booked during December will receive a little festive treat from me:

✨ FREE Christmas Spa Upgrade ✨
including:
• Premium Chris Christensen seasonal Cinnamon Sticks Shampoo
• Optional premium iGroom Christmas spritz (if you and your pet is comfortable with scent)
• And of course… treats which are always free here 🍪🐾

Instead of client gifts this year (and as many of you already know I’ve done this before), I’ll be donating that spend to our local Appledown rescue, plus one more animal charity. I’d really love your input on this — I’m thinking a cat rescue or welfare organisation this time.
If you have any suggestions, please pop them in the comments or message me. 😺💚

Thank you, truly, for choosing a grooming experience that prioritises feelings and where every animal is treated with respect for what they’re telling me. There is no dressing up of your animals here.

Your support means the world and allows me to continue doing what I love — kindly, slowly and with upmost compassion for your companions.

With warmth for the season ahead
Caroline x

06/11/2025

Hello lovely people 👋🏻
I’m back from my adventure and slowly easing myself back into the groom room flow today.

The safari was beyond incredible — a truly humbling experience in the presence of lions, elephants and the rhythm of the wild. To see the lions up close, comfortable in their own world, was something I’ll hold with me for a long time. 🦁✨

Not many stray dogs or cats on the island in comparison to other countries I’ve visited. I found myself quietly observing all the dogs, and cats and livestock (cows, goats and chickens) there. Animals move more freely as part of the environment — often sharing spaces, shade and even food with the people around them. There was a natural, calm coexistence; dogs weren’t pressured, cows didn’t feel the need to drive them away, cats held their own space without tension, and the birds continued on unfazed.
It was a beautiful reminder of how, when needs are met and there is no competition for resources, animals will often settle into peaceful, cooperative rhythms together. ✨

I’ll be going through all messages today at some point — thank you so much for your patience while I was away, had huge internet issues due to political issues in Zanzibar.

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Caroline x