The Last Bath

 I hope my laptop doesn't just suddenly freeze while I am writing .... again. This has been happening with great regularity. Not my internet service. I think it is the computer. My husband has the same one and his is freezing up, as well. I had a Dell and was perfectly happy with it. Then, it was worn out, so my husband went out and purchased this one. I can't download pictures and the freezing up will happen two or three times an hour.

So, forget starting a post and finishing later. It will disappear. Yesterday I bathed dogs. Mr. BoJangles saw me with my arms full of dog towels. He knew what I was about. He loves a good scrub down and was following me, watching my every move. I got it all set up with the dog shampoo and conditioner opened and ready. My phone on with an audio book to keep us company and I walked out and said, "Who wants to be first?"

Bo fell to the floor at my feet and rolled on his back, looked up at me with his goofy little face and let me know he was ready. He likes the lathering and then the gentle scrubbing of his back and tummy with my fingers. He could do without me washing his paws and will growl if you try to cut his nails, but he succumbs to the washing and lets me insert my finger between his tiny toes. Then we rinse. He likes that, too. He will wait patiently until I tell him to shake and then apply the conditioner. His fur is somewhat bristly, and this makes it soft and fluffy. Another rinse, shake and then he jumps up into my towel draped arms for a good rub down.

I usually do Eddie first. Eddie was disgruntled because I clipped the hair from his back paws and then clipped his nails. He was furious. Normally, Eddie is very cooperative. He decided to punish me and lay flat in the tub on his fat belly and refused to roll over. This made the entire process take a lot longer and made my shoulder and back hurt so bad. After I did the last rinse. I called his dog dad to lift his from his flat on the belly pose and dry him.

I told him he had just done me a big favor! He looked at me with his side eye glare, no doubt wondering what I could possibly be talking about. I only clipped his back nails because he gets so upset. This is the last time I will attempt to groom him. He will have to go to the groomer who will muzzle him and ignore his sour attitude and clip all his nails and then bath him and dry him. No comforting words from his mom telling him how much she loves him and what a good boy he is! He turned his full gaze on me, and I could read his mind. He thinks I will forget. He knows his dad will not be bathing him. I am afraid he will not rinse well enough and cause itching.

Despite me aching back and shoulder, I bathed Toni Louise. She was a very good girl and earned a treat for being so good. Eddie gave her the side-eye after seeing me give her a treat. 

I used to enjoy bathing them, but my back is still aching a day later. I am getting older, and things are starting to ache more. I will continue to bath Bo; he is small and cooperative. Toni, maybe. But Eddie had had his last bath from me.