Grooming of a 16 yr old maltese

Question
Dear Elizabeth,

I have a 16 yr old Maltese going on 17, and also a 10 yr old shi tzu.  I have been grooming them myself because my Maltese is so old and fragile. She gives me such a hard time I end up using scissors the whole time not to mention she looks bad.  Anyway we're going on vacation and taking the dogs and I would like very much for all of her hair to be shaved down.  Would this be to stressful for her?? Can she have a heart attack?  I'm so nervous, should I do it??

Thanks so much,

Eva

Answer
Eva,
Better to do it now while the weather is warm. I would have it done at a vets so they can monitor her. I groomed a maltese every 3 weeks until she was 19! She fought me every time- I made the woman take responsibility if she had a heart attack but she never did. Didn't keep me from worrying tho.
So get her shaved- you could have a few years left and what a mess they can get.
good luck