Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Festive privacy.


Sophie spends a full hour on the grooming table with 'The Font'. Thirty minutes later there is little, if any , sign that's she's ever been groomed in her life. Rear paws are particularly good at attracting and holding mud, twigs and foliage.


Into the full swing of things at the shopping centre. More animatronic bears make an appearance.


A large Christmas tree has been set up outside the coffee shop in the shopping mall . A young man and young lady dressed as elves disappear into it through a red door at the side. Angus and Sophie share a croissant and wait for them to reappear and do something festive. Perhaps they'll hand out cookies ? They don't. From time to time the tree sways imperceptibly. 


On sale tiny fruit trees with life sized lemons or oranges. How do they grow them like that ?  


Always a surprise that this Christmas Oratorio by Saint Saens isn't better known : Christmas song 15 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6p5d5SJ5E



17 comments:

Lisa in Tokyo said...

This is one area in which our respective girl PONs diverge - Cherry does not tolerate grooming, at least by us. If it's at the "parlor" and costs an arm and a leg, well, that's completely different. I still have the collection of shampoos, conditioners, brushes and combs we accumulated in the time before we finally gave up.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
A well-sung item, entertainingly conducted! Best not to think too hard upon the genetics of giant fruits on tiny trees... those giant fruits probably being best left in situ. YAM xx

Angus said...

We have never had a PON that would let us near them with a brush or comb. However, Sophie adores all sorts of attention.

Angus said...

The fruit trees will be the center of many a French Christmas lunch table.

Lisa in Tokyo said...

That makes me feel much better! I really had a difficult time grasping that my dog would not allow me to brush her. We would get through the shampoo and rinse but after that she would resist any further interference, as a result of which she would end up a matted mess - we actually had to shave her completely when I finally surrendered. And then, when we discovered she was happy to be groomed by professionals, it was a long education process explaining to the groomers that we really preferred a somewhat more "natural" look - most dogs in Tokyo seem to be toy poodles, so you can imagine the reigning grooming styles.

Angus said...

We gave up going to the groomers after Digby escaped from the grooming salon, rushed across a main road and took refuge in a church that was holding a funeral. There are some events in life that - despite the passage of years - can prey on the mind in the small hours and interrupt sleep. The reaction of the priest to a Polish Lowland Sheepdog and its owner hurtling down the aisle towards the altar ( and the coffin ) is one such experience.

Anonymous said...

It appears to me that SOPHIE has succeeded on her diet 'regime' (whatever that is) following her visit and advice from the Vet. She is looking very svelte these days. No wonder she took right to her 'model runway' - those shaky stairs did not offer 'posing.' Well done SOPHIE! A nice tickle behind her ears, from the Westcoast of Canada. And a wee mention that we are thinking very loving thoughts about BOB, the best of Family Fellows. He is truly missed. Merry Christmas ANGUS, the FONT, and Mme SOPHIE.

Lisa in Tokyo said...

Feeling yet better and better - what a story!!

Coppa's girl said...

Poor Sophie, but a girl has to suffer for the sake of her beauty! One of our Labs loved to be vacuumed, but the rest always suffered the bath and grooming sessions in disgusted silence - that was when we could catch them! We resorted to using a professional groomer for some years, but at 60 euros a dog, and with three dogs, it proved somewhat expensive!

Anonymous said...

Shame on me! Should have ended (above) with Mlle SOPHIE - surely not Mme SOPHIE. Apologies from the Westcoast of Canada.

Pam in NH said...

Our Sophie looks great, thanks to Mom. Our Doodle Lola also adores the spa treatment whether it's us or the groomer she sees every 3 months. BTW, ours is $50.00 plus a really generous tip because I love that lady for putting up with my "lil angel". Ahem.

Pam in NH said...

Digby's escapade! We drop off and pick up at our groomers, you were lucky (?) that you were nearby when he fled and sought refuge in the church. Oh My Goodness.

WFT Nobby said...

Bertie and I are mighty impressed by Sophie's tolerance of a whole hour on the grooming table.
It wouldn't happen here (we operate a system of little and often!)
Cheers, Gail.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Seems grooming a PON is a bit like cleaning out drawers.....no one ever notices except yourself.

Angus said...

With PONs you need to operate a system of a lot and often. This is perhaps why POns are not a more popular breed.

Angus said...

Sophies enthusiasm for drinking from muddy puddles doesn't help matters.

Stephanie said...

Sophie just naturally has that "devil may care" look; she wears it well.
Millie was given a new warm sweater for the chilly hours when we're in town and she is outside. We returned home to find the sweater removed and looking well trampled and partially hidden.