A dog day (aren't most days?)

 

It doesn’t take much to be the highlight of the day around here—a grocery trip, a new recipe, a bit of gossip. Today it was Sophie’s spa day. I had been unhappy with her previous groomer—that’s putting it mildly. The groomer shaved her stomach for whatever purpose I will never have an idea. The whole trim was rough, uneven, and she trimmed her face close instead of the Benjie look that I like. She used our hose and left it strung across the front yard. Color me unhappy.

So, on the recommendation of our wonderful pet sitter, Jessica of Ball and Bone Pet Care (that’s a plug, folks—use Jessica, she’s awesome) I called Aussie Mobile Pet Care. As Christian pointed out, the name is deceptive. You might think they only care for Aussies, but it’s not the breed that gives them the name. The phone is answered with a hearty, “G’day, mate!”

It dawned on me last night that Sophie had a 10 a.m. spa date this morning, even though it hadn’t made it to my calendar. So at eight I called to confirm, and the “G’day, mate” guy said, “Actually, I have you down for eight. The groomer is outside your house now.” Jordan scrambled to get Sophie out, which meant that my carefully constructed list of instructions ended in the trash barrel. As Jordan said, I had sent a picture of how I wanted her to look. They came pretty close, and I am pleased.

I wouldn’t want you to think Sophie rules the roost around here, but I am having a problem with her. Her clock and mine don’t mesh. She sleeps all day until four, which is about when I get up from my afternoon nap. Then she’s wired until midnight. The trouble is, she’s wired outside. When I call her to come, she stares at me—if she were a child, I would call it an insolent stare. She refuses to come in, and I have sat until midnight, waiting for her to take my bribe, desperately yelling into the back yard: “Cheese, Sophie, cheese.” She loves a tiny strip of Velveeta. Jacob claims I disturb the neighbors. I know, I shouldn’t have to bribe her. I should have her so well-trained that she comes immediately to my call. In my dreams. Have you ever tried to convince a half poodle, half border collie of anything?

My salvation now is a semi-arrangement with Christian. He agrees that either he or Jacob will be up until eleven, and if Sophie is still out at eleven, I can call, and they’ll get her and bring her home.

Right now, it’s eight o’clock and she’s outside. I might like a short nap, if I can get her in. A big IF. Sometimes, my walker and I venture outside to find her. Ordinarily I do just fine getting over the high lintel between my cottage and the patio, but there’s usually someone watching. Doing it alone, in the dark, is a whole different thing. I am careful to tuck my phone into the seat of my walker, for security. Sophie is often so startled to see me in the yard at night that she comes right in. But I am reluctant to do that as the weather gets colder.

I did just now go get her, and it worked. I’m off for a quick nap and then will work until the wee hours.

Life with a dog is such fun. I wouldn’t have it any other way.