Slice of Life: A New Do for You 25 of 31
For the month of March, I'll be writing with the Slice of Life community. Disclaimer: I'll be writing every day so the writing will be a bit unpolished most days. Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community together and for inspiring me to try to find the stories that surround me each day.
This morning, I put a blanket over my backseat and loaded our dog, Trudy, into the car. She wagged her tail excitedly. You'd think by now she'd know that if I am putting her in my car, she's off to the vet. Either she loves the vet, or she still thinks we are headed off on some amazing adventure. Today is no adventure, today it's time for a spring haircut and a shot update.
Trudy is a Tibetan Terrier with wild hair. This is how we know she has always been meant to be part of our family; it's the hair. She fits right in around here as there isn't a person in this house that doesn't have some wild hair. In the warmer months, we keep Trudy's fur very short, but in the winter we let it grow out to keep her warm. As the cold months drag on, she begins to look like she's gained massive amounts of weight as her fur curls and points in every direction. Brushing her doesn't change anything. (Another sign she fits right into this family.) By the end of winter, she more than needs a haircut.
Dropping Trudy off, the groomer comes over to check her out. She laughs, "We're going to have to shave her all the way down." She assesses her thick fur, her face, her tail.
"We like to let her fur grow across the winter. Maybe it's not the best idea, but it does make for great before and after pictures," I quip.
"She'll be great," the groomer adds seeming to notice Trudy's calm ways. Everyone who works with Trudy comments on her pleasant disposition.
Hours pass and eventually the groomer calls to let us know Trudy is ready. Upon arrival, Trudy is excited to get back in the car, but she doesn't seem a bit excited about her new look. She seems a bit uncomfortable in her new skin and, believe me, new skin is exactly the right phrase as she is shaved nearly down to it. She looks like she lost twenty pounds. The groomer has even taken the fur on her face and ears all the way down. Trudy won't hardly maintain eye contact with us. Having lost her warm winter blanket on another cold day, she seems to be having a hard time adjusting to the cold. At least this groomer hasn't added insult to injury by trying to add some pretty bows. Trudy never likes that.
When Trudy arrives back home, she immediately goes to the living room, curls up, and looks at us disapprovingly. This is our routine every spring. It will likely be a few days before she is happy about this new haircut.
Trudy is a Tibetan Terrier with wild hair. This is how we know she has always been meant to be part of our family; it's the hair. She fits right in around here as there isn't a person in this house that doesn't have some wild hair. In the warmer months, we keep Trudy's fur very short, but in the winter we let it grow out to keep her warm. As the cold months drag on, she begins to look like she's gained massive amounts of weight as her fur curls and points in every direction. Brushing her doesn't change anything. (Another sign she fits right into this family.) By the end of winter, she more than needs a haircut.
Dropping Trudy off, the groomer comes over to check her out. She laughs, "We're going to have to shave her all the way down." She assesses her thick fur, her face, her tail.
"We like to let her fur grow across the winter. Maybe it's not the best idea, but it does make for great before and after pictures," I quip.
"She'll be great," the groomer adds seeming to notice Trudy's calm ways. Everyone who works with Trudy comments on her pleasant disposition.
Hours pass and eventually the groomer calls to let us know Trudy is ready. Upon arrival, Trudy is excited to get back in the car, but she doesn't seem a bit excited about her new look. She seems a bit uncomfortable in her new skin and, believe me, new skin is exactly the right phrase as she is shaved nearly down to it. She looks like she lost twenty pounds. The groomer has even taken the fur on her face and ears all the way down. Trudy won't hardly maintain eye contact with us. Having lost her warm winter blanket on another cold day, she seems to be having a hard time adjusting to the cold. At least this groomer hasn't added insult to injury by trying to add some pretty bows. Trudy never likes that.
When Trudy arrives back home, she immediately goes to the living room, curls up, and looks at us disapprovingly. This is our routine every spring. It will likely be a few days before she is happy about this new haircut.
Ohhhh---so many words in a look. It must be really jarring to go from tons of fur to no fur. She doesn't even look like the same dog!
ReplyDeleteWe did that do our old english sheep dog when I was little. She used to think she was a lap dog after she was shaved. She acted like a princess. Sounds like you are going to pay for a few days.
ReplyDeleteClare
As I glanced at the before and after pics I thought, I’d that the same dog? I love the way you make Trudy part of the family by describing her hair w/ everyone’s. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought you had two dog! The before and after are profoundly different. It's so funny how dogs can become so humanlike with their emotions. What a cute story. Hoping Trudy settles in soon and in the meantime finds lots of nice little places to be warm and comfy.
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh, it took me a while to realize that those two pictures were of the same dog! Wow, what a difference. I think Trudy will get used to her new haircut, and will even thank you for it, once the weather warms up. Fun story! :-) ~JudyK
ReplyDeleteI love the pics! What a sassy girl. She will be happy when the warm weather rolls around.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like a totally different breed!! In a day or so, or by the next time she needs to eat, she will have forgotten that she is mad!
ReplyDeleteWow! You can really see the terrier when she's short. We need to get our terrier mix in for a groom. I groom him in the winter when his hair gets too unruly. It's hilarious! Thanks for sharing. May she rest well tonight. :)
ReplyDelete