Squeaky Clean
This past weekend was The Weekend of Spring Cleaning and General Pug Maintenance.
First up – Sid’s three beds. As you have probably seen from recent photos, Sid’s beds were looking downright unruly. The worst of the bunch, his “dirty bed”, is named as such because that’s where I give him Wigzi balls and/or Kongs stuffed with PEANUT BUTTER every day for lunch.
Despite Sid’s best attempts at devouring every morsel, including the remnants of peanut butter that get mashed into the fabric, the bed was looking pretty grimy. The fabric resembled some kind of animal print, only the “spots” were really peanut butter grease stains. I actually think Sid may have preferred the bed stay in this condition – sorry dude.
Once the beds were thoroughly washed and dried at the laundromat down the street, I washed my own bedding. My outer blanket is a light brown color which hides the pug hair insanely well. This plus can also be big minus though because you never realize how much pug hair has built up until you take a very close look – yeah, it needed to be washed too.
And last but not least – the pug.
We tried something new this weekend and it turned out to be a bit of an adventure. Sunday morning I walked Sid over to Urban Pooch, a hybrid pet daycare/groomer/store which provides, among many other nifty services, self-wash stations where one can bathe one’s dog, DIY-style. While waiting for a self-wash station to open up, Sid met another pug named Maxine who was there for a nail trim. I guess technically it was a nail grind because they use a dremel to gradually file down the nails. Maxine’s mom said Maxine preferred the dremel over the clippers. Has anyone ever had their nails DREMELED?! Knowing how much Sid hates to get his dew claws trimmed perhaps dremeling might be a better option.
Anyway, a tub soon opened up and we headed to the washing room in the back. As soon as the door opened, the roaring whoosh of the air dryers overwhelmed us. Sid immediately put his jets on reverse and made a quick dash back towards the front of the store. I actually had to pick him up because he planted himself so flat that he resembled a squashed cockroach.
Once the dryers had stopped, he eased up a smidge but was still freaked out about what the heck was going on in this strange place. I plunked him into the tub, got on my vinyl smock (which came in handy!), and started hosing him down. Unlike the usual zen-like state that baths invoke upon Sid, this crazy new environment prompted a squirmfest. He did manage to finally calm down by the time I applied the conditioner though I did have to squelch numerous attempts at escape.
After I dried most of the water from Sid using the towels provided (another nice element), I thought maybe we’d try the hair dryer out. But a desperate look from Sid made me realize that was probably a bad idea. So we nixed the idea and I just gave him another going over with a towel and popped a clean t-shirt on him for the walk home.
Coconut Fresh!
Tags: bath, mayhem, Sid, Urban Pooch
March 18th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
I’ve heard that even skiddish pugs prefer the dremel, so we may try it out with D&D. Sid, I’m glad you survived the spa day. Now time to get stinky again and put those peanut butter spots back where you like them, right!?!
Love,
Christy
March 18th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
We only use the dremel at home. It can be loud, but you can desensitize Sid to the sound with treats! Maybe since he’s already eating something delicious in the kong, bring it out and turn it on without getting near him. Do it in short spurts so he gets used to the noise. The Whole Dog Journal has a good article on how to do this. http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_8/features/Counter-Conditioning-And-Nail-Trimming_20575-1.html
Tallulah and Petunia are easy to do because we started them as puppies. Isabelle, on the other hand, probably never had her nails trimmed before she came here. She has worked herself up into such a fit that she passes out. We just bought some Quiet Moment senior treats with calming agents to hopefully make it a little easier on her.
March 18th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Thanks so much for supporting my Easter Egg contest. You are the best, Sid!
March 19th, 2013 at 12:15 am
Also- mom asks, is that shirt from american apparel? I have one similar to it but it does not fit me anymore. Fatpugproblems. You look cute in it though!
March 19th, 2013 at 4:58 am
Well sid, you look great! We have to say we are super jealous of your daily pb kong pig out
urban hounds
March 19th, 2013 at 7:29 am
Sid, as always, you look very handsome all squeaky clean. And don’t worry, your dirty bed will be dirty again soon.
Scarlet is not a fan of tub time, dryers or no dryers. She thinks its silly that all of her hard work to get that special pug essence gets washed down the drain.
♥♥♥
Meredith & Scarlet
P.S. we like your shirt, its very springy!