Thursday, May 20, 2010

Hank and the Dog Bath Blues

Hank is our dog. He's BIG. He's fluffy. He's stinky. He's miserable. He's a MESS! I just dropped him off to be groomed this morning. Joe and I are bad, bad parents. We have been trying to get him to the groomer for several months now and have been procrastinating. It costs a lot of money to give this dog a bath and a haircut. But, I could stand it no longer - the dog reeks.

We have tried the bath thing at home and quickly discovered it is not the best idea. One time, after he had rolled in something disgusting, we had the bright idea to put him in the shower and Joe would get in there with him and scrub him down. That was an interesting idea. We've only done that once. Turned out, it wasn't such a good idea. My house was really wet - even the walls; and, so was Joe. And, so was I.

Another time, I tried to give him a bath outside and with the garden hose. That was not a good idea either. He was patient and let me soap him up and rinse him off - even though the water was pretty cold. I was so proud. He was nice and clean. Then I let go of him. He proceeded to take off and run his classic figure eight pattern, touching his nose to all four corners of our yard at 35mph, complete with hairpin turns. That dog runs for Glory. Now, he was wet and green up to his knees and his entire under belly - Joe had just cut the grass. I wouldn't mind all of this so much if I didn't feel like he was laughing at me - Hank, not Joe.

So, this morning, he was going on a trip to be groomed. I sang a song for him, too, just so he would be ready. It was a bluesy number that lamented his plight. It went like this:

You're going to get a bath...
Because you smell so bad...
You're going to smell so sweet...
No more "Frito" feet...

I think He liked it. I could see his head bopping along with the beat.

Now, he is enjoying his makeover and I am writing this blog and I am completely dumbstruck...

The last thing I saw as I left the room was Hank jumping up onto the grooming table. The table top is four feet in the air. The groomer wasn't ready for him yet. She was across the room getting her stuff together. Mind you, whenever we take a trip to the vet or to the groomer, Hank is usually stuck to my side like white on rice. He is usually more than ready to leave with me. He doesn't like to be left alone in places like this. Usually, if possible, he is grabbing my keys, running out the door toward the car and barking that he will drive. He is not a brave soul. However, there was my boy, jumping onto the table and all ready for business. He sat down and then - this is the ultimate...

...He looked back at me over his shoulder and He SMILED!

I'm even fairly certain I saw his head bopping and, I think, maybe I heard a hum...

I'm going to get a bath...
Because I smell so bad...

I love our dog!

UPDATE:  The groomer called and told me Hank was ready to be picked up. When I got there, she took me to the back room where all the dogs are drying and fluffing out. I looked everywhere for Hank. The only dog close to his size was something with really short hair and a really long tongue. Talk about a makeover - I didn't recognize my own dog.  He went in a Doodle and came out a Poodle - go figure. Evidently, his groomer went for the "summer cut". And, his ears are longer on one side than the other. Oh well, he's happy. I think I will leave the ears. I kind of like them this way. He can be a trend setter (not to be confused, though, with an Irish Setter).

1 comment:

  1. He looks beautiful! I've never heard of a dog going willingly to a groomer's table!!

    There's a self-service dog wash on Wood's Chapel at 291/470.
    http://www.barkerybath.com/pet_wash.htm
    It's about $16 to wash & dry 'em.

    Debbie

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