Difference a day can make
It’s amazing how your life can change: whether through a new job, a brand new hairstyle or partner, there are moments when everything changes.
I suppose that is all part and parcel of life and being a hairdresser I enjoy offering clients a brand new do to help add to their life.
Sharing stories with clients is something that I always try to do and it is our experiences in this life that shape us and make us who we are.
Some of the lessons are gentle and go by without us realising, but sometimes they come with so much awareness you know you just have to act on them.
As I put my comb and scissors down to write this week’s insight into my life behind the chair, like my clients, I have experienced a life- changing 24 hours.
I have had the honour of welcoming my Romanian rescue dog after his long fourday trip to be with me here in Ayrshire.
The last seven days have seen the biggest rollercoaster of emotions as I prepare his new house, bed, bowls and all the treats. I was so fortunate to follow his progress through social media posts from his rescuer in Romania.
The wonderful Emilia saves so many dogs and finds them new homes and, each morning, I would wonder where he was on his journey and would fill up with emotion.
It was only when a client asked me about him I broke down and couldn’t stop the tears from behind my salon chair. But the relationship between client and hairdresser is a close one – believe me, we hear personal stories from everyone who pulls on a gown. We are there to listen, that’s part of our job. It’s part of our training: it’s a wonder they don’t give us a white coat.
It’s a privileged part of our job and over the years I have become firm friends with so many clients and shared so many of their ups and downs, as they have with me, too.
As we chatted, I looked at the day he was arriving on – three days before that I celebrate a full year on from having my heart attack and another chance at life, just like him.
So as I stood on Sunday outside the transporter waiting on my turn to receive my precious cargo after all the planning – complete with his pet passport – he was finally in my care. After a few minutes handing over his passport, I walked away with him. The weeks of planing, tears and all the excitement were finally over and he was here – and it is a moment I will never forget.
We then had an hour’s drive ahead and a kind friend offered to drive to allow me to sit in the back. And that is just what I did.
I petted him and held him tight and told him he was good – I can only imagine what his thoughts were.
As we arrived home he came out of the car and wagged his tail and stayed so close to me, his new dad, throughout his first day.
Night- time was easy once he had settled into his new home as I shared with you all last week that he has a disability – a leg injury – and walks quite funny so this made him a hard dog to re- home. It made me think of my own disability – mine is my heart, but I’m happy to say it works very well.
I was also worrying about the language barrier but, so far, it’s not causing any problems.
He does need a good brush and a tidy- up... Good job his new dad is a hairstylist.