Groomer

[stoutfellow]

Yesterday, I took Buster and Gracie to the vet for initial checkups and rabies shots. Normally I wouldn't take both at once, but Animal Control requires that adopted dogs get their shots within a week of adoption, so I was kind of over a barrel. Walking two dogs to the vet, one of whom needs to be picked up and carried for a block or two every so often, while also carrying a bag with all the paperwork (and for the paperwork etc. I'll get at the vet) is more strenuous than I realized.

Anyway, I got them weighed (Gracie 11 lb, Buster 19 lb), examined and vaccinated. Both of them need work on their teeth; Buster's are a little worse, so I'll be taking him in for treatment tomorrow. (Their teeth was one of the areas I didn't handle as well as possible with Ben and Murphy; I intend to do better with these two.) The vet pointed out that Buster really needed to see a groomer; I was able to reassure her that I'd scheduled an appointment for the next day - i.e., today.

There are two groomers nearby with rather similar names. I scheduled an appointment with one of them, got confused, and took Buster to the other. They had an open slot; it wasn't until I got home that I was sure I'd screwed up. (The person I'd made the appointment with left a message on the answering machine. I feel kind of bad about it, but don't know what to do. "Oh, I'm sorry, I accidentally took him somewhere else, and that's where we'll be going in future"? The place I took him is quite a bit nearer than the other....)

As recommended, I asked for a puppy cut, and it looks pretty good on him. (He's a bit more haggled-looking than I'd like, but his fur was so matted before that I can understand it.) Now, I knew that he wasn't very big - as I mentioned, 19 lb - but his coat did really make him look bigger than that. I think Gracie was surprised by it too; she was harassing him for a while after we came home. (He's still bigger than she is, but the margin seems much reduced.)

After my negative comments about the 'Net a few days ago, a word of gratitude: having never taken a dog to a groomer before, I had no idea what sort of tip was expected, but a quick Google on "tipping groomer" answered that quickly. (Consensus: about 10%.)

Oh, yes: here are some new pictures.

Comments

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

That's such a difference with Buster as to look a different dog. Has it made a difference to him, re his behavior?

You did say it made some difference initially at least to Gracie.

Love, c.

[stoutfellow.livejournal.com]

He seems a bit subdued, but that may just be fatigue. I'll keep an eye on it, though.

[spiffikins]

I have no idea if the dog cares, but *I* always feel better when our office dog (Bear) comes back from the groomer - if only because he can *see* again - when his hair is long and shaggy, I keep wanting to pull up his fringe and put it in a clip so he can see :)

But yes, it's pretty amazing how much of a difference it makes - Bear seems to be happy either way - he definitely looks much bigger just before he goes to the groomer though.

[mmegaera.livejournal.com]

There was really a dog under there! [d,r]

Tell Buster he looks really spiffy.

[filkferengi]

Given how brutal summer is near you [& I know from brutal summer], everyone will be much happier clipped.