Fluffed and Folded

I just couldn't keep up with the necessary brushing of Sugar's long fine coat while I was under the influence of cancer treatment. Her nails click loudly against the linoleum in the kitchen, and she is constantly biting chunks of matted fur from her legs. She had baths from the boys, but the poor thing is in need of a thorough grooming - far more than I am capable of. And soon since she has an appointment with the vet to be "altered" and I need to trim away the fur so they can work unhindered.

What to do? I asked around of other dog owners. Many of them do not take their dogs in for grooming. The one couple who does could not recommend any of the places they have tried. The last time they had their dog groomed, she ended up with an ear infection from careless grooming.

I try the phone book. They all have clever names like Shampoodle or Beauty and the Beast. I fear their service might be as ridiculous as their names. I avoid large chain stores as I have seen their assembly line approach and Sugar will not do well with that. I finally find one that has a sensible name, a small ad, and a statement of certification. I call.


The woman who answers is pleasant and immediately understands my angst since neither Sugar nor I have ever done this before. She is very reassuring. Still. Sugar gets so excited around people, I wonder if they will be able to do what is needed in one appointment. I read that the first time you try to clip a dog's nails, you should only do as many as the dog is comfortable with and not press to get them all done.


We arrive at the appointed time, and a pleasant woman greets us both. Sugar immediately jumps about, excited to meet someone new. I fill out the paperwork, and then hand over the leash. Yikes! It will take a couple of hours. I leave, feeling a bit like a traitor having abandoned my baby.

I take care of errands, waiting for the call, which finally comes. Sugar is all ready. Come get her. I enter the door, and Sugar appears, all trim and skinny. I can actually see her eyes! She is wearing an adorable little bandanna, and acting all frisky and happy. They not only cut her hair and shampooed her, they trimmed all her nails, brushed her teeth and a million other little things. Wow!


I struggled to put her harness on her so I could take her to the car. Sugar bounced around and refused to sit. The groomer offered to help. The minute she touched Sugar, Sugar sat still like a good girl. How embarrassing! But I am delighted to know she likes being groomed. They gave her a pink stuffed bone on the way out for behaving so well. Whew!


Now if I could just find someone to do the boys . . .