In today's thrilling and exciting news…surely worthy of Twitter, if I Twittered…the snow has turned to rain and thunder storms. The backyard is a mosh pit, and Reggie seems drawn to it like a rubber duck. Fun times for moi. In other words, Reggie went out this morning and got dirtier than I think he’s been in years and years. That’s saying something; something sad.
Reg didn’t stay out long his first venture out this morning, so when he asked to go out again and it wasn’t raining hard, I decided it was probably a good thing. (That use of Martha Stewart's favorite phrase should warn you of impending doom.) About two minutes after letting Reg out, the rain started to pour and I could hear thunder in the distance. I tried to get him to come in, but no, he was running around the yard chasing two squirrels from tree to tree. He’d duck under the awning for a shivering reprieve, but as soon as the squirrels would move, Reggie would charge back out through the puddles and muddy, thin, brown grass splattering water like an elephant on display. I guess he wanted to dye his fur, because he went from slate/white/black to mud. Not a good color choice in my opinion.
I tried to get him to come in, but he refused...barely sparing me a condescending glance from his stalk-the-trespassing-squirrels quest. So I left him a bit. Finally, afraid his muddy, drenched, shivering, almost-11-year-old body was going to have a heart attack, I put on a nylon jacket, a hat and gloves! and captured him. I think he was so shocked to see me trying to grab him with leather-work-gloved hands, that he was momentarily stunned, giving me the upper hand...upper gloved hand. I carried him, as anyone would carry a dirty, filthy dog...away from the body...up to his stasis chamber, the bathtub. I should have taken a picture, but I was more worried about cleaning and warming him. He was worried the squirrels were getting away.
He didn’t just get his feet rinsed or his feet washed with soap…he got a full body shampoo care of Boutique Missyisms and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Like most dogs, Reggie hates baths and I usually leave anything more than a spot cleaning to the groomers, but he was too muddy to let lose even in an enemy’s home. I used a watering can to help pore water all over his back and tummy to get all the soap off...dog's have sensitive skin and soap too often, too much or left on too long is a no-no. So I washed and rinsed and, rinsed again. I now know why people have children in their youths, this leaning over the tub is back pain-inducing! (Of course there are other reasons, but this was the most pertinent today.) Then, for the first time ever, I used a hair dryer on Reggie. He didn’t like the sound, but I think he enjoyed getting warm and dry quickly. He didn't enjoy any of this...nor did I...but, being a good boy, he didn't pout and was bouncing around within minutes of the hideous ordeal.
He spent about fifteen minute preening himself and prancing around till he was completely dried and comfortable. A quick five-minute nap and he was right as rain and ready to go out again. He stood at the back door, tail wagging and smiling at me. I just cackled like the evil thing that I am! He has not been back out since. Instead, he's been downstairs snoozing like a nice clean, sweet little dog. He smells nice too. That won't last long...sigh. Why won't the snow and rain leave us alone!?!?!
P.S. Lest you are wondering, the bathtub got a post-Reggie bath of its own!
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