In the beginning of the year, we decided to get a second dog. We thought about it for a while, weighed the pros and cons, and finally decided that yes, it would be a good thing. So, when we went to the pet store where they have adoptions every Saturday morning, we were prepared to seriously consider the dogs available. None really appealed to me, though, so I was ready to try again in a week or so, start going to the shelter, try another place, etc.
Until one of the little dogs caught Steve's eye, and he just had to meet him. It was love at first sight. Of course, as soon as Steve was in love, the kids were in love, and I was over ruled. Toby joined our family.
It's not that I don't like Toby- he's a great dog! Dumb as a stump, but he tries so hard to please and he is so loving you can't help but love him back. But he has some issues.
He's a cairn terrier mix, meaning he has long hair. I don't like long hair dogs because grooming them takes a lot of effort. Even more so when the dog is terrified of anything to do with grooming. When we first got him, he attacked the brush any time he saw it. We actually left it in the middle of the living room floor, purposely ignoring it, until he finally stopped growling at it every time he walked by. Then it was another month of holding it, getting it closer and closer to him, before finally being able to brush him a little. Now, he doesn't mind the brush as long as we keep him trimmed, which brings us to the next issue.
He's ok with having his back and sides clippered. Touch his face, legs, chest, stomach, tail, or ears, though, and you'll loose a finger. Basically, all the places that are currently matted with burs from the yard. And the last time I took him to the groomers, they called and said they couldn't finish because he was in such a panic they thought he might seriously hurt himself.
We had to take him to the vet for updated shots, and we told her about the problem. She said she could prescribe some sedatives to knock him down just enough to let us groom him.
We just tried it.
We gave him half a pill like she said. Damn near lost a hand.
We gave him another quarter of a pill like she said. There's no change!
One of the problems is that he's naturally so mellow (until the grooming tools come out) that it's very hard to tell if the sedatives are taking effect. He's not a big dog, this really should have done something!
This is when I want the ability to call the dog whisperer and plead for help.
At least a positive for today is that my son seems to be settling into his new school ok. He was told off for making jokes at an inappropriate time (the math teacher asked if anyone had any questions, so he raised his hand and asked, "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?" He's very proud of himself that he can say it now, it's taken a lot of practice), but there have been no calls home, no emergencies, and he doesn't even fight me when it's time to go to school. This is a huge improvement! Fingers crossed he can keep it up.
UPDATE- Apparently the sedatives just take a little longer to take effect. He still complained bitterly, but at least we got the burs and knots off. And now we know we can take him to a groomer. Just have to sedate him 45 minutes before!
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