Summer Sugar

The last time Sugar had a hair cut, Kiel shaved her the best he could. I think he got tired of waiting for me to make an appointment. She was shaggy and matted, her underbelly full of knots. You couldn't see her eyes behind the locks of hair and her ears dragged the ground. I had meant to get her clipped. Really. In fact, I had made several appointments, but I had to cancel them because something unexpected had come up or I ran out of money. Sigh.

Kiel covered the basics. Her eyes were visible, the knots were gone, and her ears were a normal length. But Sugar just wouldn't hold still for him when it came to her paws, her tail, and her muzzle. Besides, the haircut just wasn't the same without the pert little bows that the groomer uses, or the little kerchief she always sports around her neck. After my travel finally settled down and I knew I would be home, I made an appointment.

Her usual groomer was unavailable, but there was another person willing, so we signed up. It's always hard to drop her off. Sugar whined and wriggled when we pulled into the driveway, eager to get out of the car and into the house. Sugar loves being there and never gives me a parting glance, trotting happily off through the door to the back area.

After half a day, Kiel went to pick her up. Apparently this time, Sugar was not too cooperative with the new groomer either, because her trim was uneven. Patches of pink skin glared out between neat white fur. Still, her normally fluffy body was sleek and skinny without the curly thick hair. When I came into the house, she ran toward me, dancing excitedly, turning this way and that to show off her summer self, kerchief neatly triangling about her neck.

Even if she isn't exactly perfect, we will be able to see if she gets into any flea or tick trouble. Her shiny belly is clearly visible and she rolls happily on her back, buffing the stiffness out of her short haircut. Better late than never.