We have two Beagles - Samantha, a dainty little lady (haha) weighs about 30#, just a nice size little gal.
Down below is Jerry, it is thundering, Coco landed on Jerry first, and even tho Sam isn't as afraid of thunder as Coco is, she didn't want to be left out. So much for snoozing.
Why was he at the vet's office today? Because it's the only way........
Between son Jerry and me, we have been able, through the years, to bathe and trim toenails on all our dogs. Until now.
Sam is fine, she doesn't really like the manicure and bath, but puts up with it. Of course she is smaller and we can, kind of, overpower her.
Then there is Coco. While he was smaller we could handle him for the manicure and bath. But then he grew up, grew and grew. The bigger he got the harder it was for us to restrain him to cut his nails without making him bleed, or some such thing.
He seems to think when it is manicure time, that means leg amputation. I am sure it has felt like that when we have cut too close. No wonder he starts shaking at the first sign of the toenail clippers.
So to the vet's office. As soon as he realizes where I am taking him he starts to shake, and fuss, and pace in the van. Upon leaving the van I literally have to drag him into the vet's office. Sometimes I miss the door and have to try again, he is really strong.
Some days it takes three (3) people to cut his nails - two to hold him one to cut. He's shaking like a leaf, and this is so out of character for him.
Though he is big, he is like a great big teddy bear, soft, compliant, beautiful personality, quiet, super friendly, loves all people, just a gem. But toenail day he turns into a monster.
Another thing, though, this friendly giant becomes a basket case whenever there is a loud noise. If something falls, and makes a loud noise, whenever it thunders, or even if someone happens to yell about something, he is terrified. He will jump into your lap if you are sitting down, try to climb you if you are standing up. Not fun!!!
The really amazing thing, though, he is one of the best rabbit dogs Jerry has ever had, and we have had many over the years. He loves rabbit season. He can run all the other dogs ragged, and the hunters ragged, but he wants to keep on going, just like the energizer bunny.
For some very strange reason, gunfire doesn't bother him at all. We think he is so busy concentrating on the chase that he doesn't hear anything else. And his bark - or should I say bellow - can be heard all over the farm, and we have 160 acres.
Jerry has seen the time he has out-run the rabbit and had to circle back to pick up the scent again. One of Jerry's hunting buddies has a smaller beagle named Mollie, and poor Mollie is so far behind Sam and Coco, that everyone usually has to sit down and wait for her to arrive, barking her little head off, just so glad to be part of the game, even if she is so far behind.
The day of hunting is over. The guys and dogs come wandering in, dog heads drooping, tails drooping, plodding along one step at a time. The next three days they are usually exhausted doggies, sometimes even too tired to eat, just want to sleep. You know Sam is really tired if she passes up the food bowl. She eats all the time. We keep dry dog food out for them all the time, they get some canned food for breakfast and supper.
It is funny to be sitting somewhere in the house, or doing something, puttering around, whatever, and you hear this crunching sound. It is Sam eating the dry dog food. She nibbles all day long. Sometimes she will even get a mouth full of food, then track you down where you are puttering, or whatever, drop the mouth full of food on the floor and proceed to eat it there. Guess she wants company.
Rabbit season comes in twice a year. We have lots and lots of rabbits on the farm. Jerry and his friends take the dogs out as often as they can during the season. They get so excited if you don't get out of their way they will knock you down trying to be first out the door. They know what is coming.
We bathe the dogs several times a year, but always always always after rabbit season. They really need their baths then. Again, Sam doesn't like it but will put up with it. Coco seems to think we are trying to drown him, even though he isn't really standing in any water, we have a hand-held shower, he stands in the tub and we spray and shampoo him, rinse him, but he just knows he is going to drown. It is all Jerry can do to get Coco into the tub, then he has to hold him down, spray, shampoo, spray, rinse, spray, and the entire time Coco is trying to figure out how to get out of the tub.
I can tell you one thing for sure. Life NEVER NEVER NEVER gets boring on top of our hill on Bushko Lane. I wanted to get this posted this morning, as I am leaving for the airport in just a few minutes to fly to Phoenix. Looking forward to whatever we get into while I am visiting.
I hope none of your lives are boring, that there is always something new, interesting, fun, educational, etc. happening for you as it is happening for me. Have a great day and God Bless.
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