Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Self grooming.


We groom the dogs at home.


This has nothing to do with cost or being unable to tear ourselves away from the little darlings. We've self groomed ever since Digby, a PON from a previous generation, escaped from the fancy groomers in the centre of Avignon by slipping through two sets of heavy glass doors left open by an absent minded post lady. He then charged across a busy road ( bringing the traffic to a halt in the process ) and making a beeline into an adjoining church.

The Gothic church was dark. At the far end there was a funeral underway. Digby headed for the funeral. His master gave chase. The groomers from Le Chien Galant followed. The priest did his best to ignore the dog , its master and two flustered French ladies zig zagging down the nave.

A decade on Angus still occasionally wakes at night remembering what the priest said to him. It was decidedly non-sacerdotal. Digby was cornered in a side chapel and carried, squirming, out of the church. '' We've never had that happen before " said the grooming ladies. The memory of the mourners faces adds to the shame induced night sweats. After that Digby was christened ' demon dog'.

There are some experiences in life you never want to repeat but your conscience doesn't allow you to forget.


Bob gives me two minutes of his time on the grooming table before disappearing. His rump is thinned out.


Sophie squeals and squirms but makes no attempt to escape. She adores the attention. We get a carrier bag full of hair from her sides and front. She's slimmed down considerably. Before I can even out her right side she's off. The allotted time is up.  A more balanced cut will need to wait for another day.


After wards there are treats, tickles and free rein to explore the latest drainage ditch. Bob also gets a lengthy Mano a Mano to let him know he's done good. The PONs may look slightly squiify but they're happy and so is their master.



15 comments:

Coppa's girl said...

Oh dear, I know it was a very serious incident, but I couldn't help laughing at Digby's exploits - like something from a TV comedy. I remember both Wilf and Digby with great affection. Bob has obviously inherited Digby's genes.
This is the time of year when we get bags full of hair from our Labs, too, in spite of being a breed with coats that shouldn't need too much grooming !

Jean said...

Marvellous story, but scary at the time. Your chase after Digby reminds me of an incident involving one of our previous poodles, and a cow that had wandered into the garden through the hedge.

WFT Nobby said...

Digby's Avignon groomer/funeral story even eclipses Bertie's Newcastle station escapade!
Bertie also has to put up with erratic and attention span dependent home grooming efforts.
Cheers, Gail.

Kittypup said...

Bless little Digby..obviously just wanted pay his last respects.
The delectable duo sound like a groomers dream compared to Kitty whose sessions, at best, resemble alligator wrestling!

Unknown said...

Bob and Sophie look very spiff. Might Digby have been seeking a safe haven in the church?

Anonymous said...

If the PONs can tolerate the sound of the vacuum cleaner, you need to purchase a "Flowbee" which is a genius device that attaches to a vacuum and makes grooming very easy and no mess because the vacuum sucks up all the hair as you're grooming.
Vancouver Barbara

Angus said...

Thank you. A Flowbee sounds like a great idea. Sadly, the PONs consider hoovers to be spawns of Satan and give them as wide a berth as they possibly can.

Angus said...

More likely he was determining where he could wreak the maximum degree of havoc.

Angus said...

The priest had a different view of Digby.

Angus said...

Perhaps we should have a competition to see who has the most embarrassing dog owners story ?

Angus said...

Onoe of those moments when you have a full cardiovascular workout without even knowing it !

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Such a competition could go on for days ...

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Home grooming is done here, too. Takes a few days to tidy up all the missed spots.

SHE has one memory of peeling a scottie off a stranger's thigh. He was in his own bed, in his own house. Someone left the door open and the scottie decided he was a fantastic snuggler.

Kari said...

Dear God in heaven, Angus! You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. Proof positive that truth really is stranger than fiction!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

"Sanctuary!!!"
xo