Pro wrestlers don’t give pedicures.
At least Atlas Horn doesn’t. Atlas (he claims this is his given name!) is a groomer at Doggie Bath House, a new business right down the street from us. I brought Hanni to Doggie Bath House yesterday to get spruced up for our upcoming trip to California. I wanted Hanni to get her nails painted for the big event — we’re accepting our ASPCA/Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award during a cocktail reception at the American Library Association annual conference on Monday.
“We don’t do nails,” “we don’t paint nails,” the owner told me right away. “We only do nails as in nail trims.”
For a short moment I considered going elsewhere. But when the owner introduced us to Atlas, I knew we had to stay. How could I deny Hanni the chance to be bathed by a pro wrestler?
Atlas grew up with dogs, he told me. Dog grooming seemed the perfect way to supplement his pro-wrestling income. “You can make good money wrestling,” he said. “But I have a daughter now.”
Does the responsibility of fatherhood make a pro wrestler more careful in the ring, less interesting to the audience? Does the thought of a daughter at home distract him from crushing his opponent? Do you get paid less if you lose? Atlas never explained. What’s more likely, I figure, is that fatherhood forces Atlas to cut down on travel to faraway cities. There are 12 venues for pro-wrestling in Chicago, he said. “But the work is only there on weekends.”
And so, during the week, Atlas grooms dogs.
Hanni tried to be stoic in the pro wrestler’s presence, but truth is: she hates getting soaked. She hardly ever gets bathed, really. Think about it. Guide dogs don’t need baths as often as other dogs. Guide dogs are pretty much always attached to their owners. Unless we go playing in mud puddles, or get caught up with skunks, or tangle ourselves in brambles, our dogs stay pretty clean. The guide dog schools teach us how to brush and comb our dogs, and if we do that every day, baths are unnecessary.
For our special day in Anaheim, though, I wanted Hanni to sparkle. The trip to Doggie Bath House was worth it. Her nails may still be the same black color they were when we entered the place, but now, thanks to Atlas, her fur coat absolutely shines!
Hi, Beth,
I generally give Griffin a bath about twice a year. Sometimes, it is a three-time-a-year event. Brushing in between on a regular basis is sufficient for Griffin. But I knew one grad from TSE who had to bathe her shepherd every few weeks for awhile. The dog was regularly brushed, but because of a route along an access road with no sidewalks that she had to take to get into , the dog’s coat had the potential for encountering all kinds of debris. From what I recall, the grass that the team had to walk in was kind of tall. As she explained it to me, brushing got stuff unstuck from the dog’s coat, but the odor would knock you out. She lived in an area of Texas that got very hot and humid in the summer time, so all of those factors combined placed her in a situation where the dog just had to be bathed more often. So I suspect that each person’s experience is going to be different depending on both the dog and the environment that the dog will encounter on a regular basis. Brushing alone may not always eliminate the need for more frequent bathing.
Vanessa and Griffin
I totally disagree. I think guide dogs do need bathing from time to time.
I’ve always made sure my guides received baths at least ever three or four months. It
Vanessa and Stacey,
I’m so glad you commented, and Vanessa says it so well: “each person’s experience is going to be different depending on both the dog and the environment
that the dog will encounter on a regular basis.”
I’ve bathed Julia 3 times since I received her last September. The first time was a normal bath since we were moving to a new area and I wanted to give a good impression.
The second was after a horrendous O&M lesson where she was caked in mud. Never ever try to bathe a dog in an environment where there are no bathtubs! Bathing in the bathroom with a shower stall was a nightmare waiting to happen.
The third time was in April when someone told me she needed a bath. This person is very knowledgeable about dogs so I trusted her opinion. Actually, I didn’t bathe her, my friend Marjie did. Julia loves Marjie!
I will probably have to bathe her again in the fall. Marjie saw us yesterday and said that Julia might need a bath soon. Perhaps I will ask Annette if we can use her bathtub, if she has a tub.
I’d be interested to know what people use when bathing their dogs. The first time, I used something from http://www.petshae.com (I think that’s the correct URL.) The next time, I didn’t use any soap because I didn’t have anything that would be safe for dogs. I don’t know what Marjie used when she bathed Julia.
So you mean you brush her every day (when possible), yet she still needs baths every so often?
Gee, maybe I should have been bathing Hanni regularly long before this!
Hi, each of mySeeing Eye
Seeing Eye dogs has been different. My first dog had some skin allergies that required a bath once a month to keep her comfortable. I usually give Iggy a bath every couple of months, depending on the time of year and what is happening. I do groom him every day but sometimes in warmer weather, he just needs a bath more often My yellow Labrador Tibbett loved a bath and if you weren’t careful, she would jump right in to the tub.
Hi Beth,
I believe we met at ICRE Wood this past week. This blog was the first place I visited as soon as my rump hit my computer chair. Camp is finally over and the solitary, hard working (well sort of), enthusiastic, college student is home at last for a well deserved rest.
I’m glad Hanni had a good experience with Atlas. I’ll have to learn of good places for grooming and such when I return from my trip.
I will also be typing away when it comes time to document adventures in Smithtown, New York.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Sarah
Sarah,
It was great meeting you at ICRE-Wood, and I’m so glad you found my blog — now we can keep up when you come home with your new guide dog! When you say that you’ll be “typing away when it comes time to document adventures in Smithtown, New York” do you mean you’ll be keeping a blog after meeting your new guide? If so, please let me know — I’d love to keep up with all your adventures!
Although it depends on each person and their dogs needs but we also must think of the factor when bathing our dogs not only does it put the luster in their coats and the oils but it also helps with the dander. Dander is one of the highest allergies that people have when it comes to animals so bathing them though not as much as an outdoor dog 24/7 will still help keep their coats clean and keep their fur moisturized and dander down. Yes even being attached and going out in public constantly with the wind storms and the dust flying. This causes dryness to the fur. Yes we groom by brushing but that is not always enough to keep their skin clean, dander at bay and just make our dogs feel good and energetic.
For me I do at least bathe my dog once a month at least unless we are out on the dirty walkways and winds are blowing or even if it’s extremely humid which dries up ones skin then it’s more. Not to mention keeping the fleas, ticks and mosquito’s down by using the right type of shampoo with out so much chemicals.
Hi Beth,
Yes, I will be keeping a blog. My current blog is kind of unique. I don’t have any particular writing style, but I write whatever I’m thinking – which is at times, too much.
My mind is a giant fruit salad bowl. But there are rotten fruits in there as well as the sweet ones. *smile*
Anyway, I’m glad I found your site. i can keep up with you.
Take Care,
Sarah
I have bathed my dogs once a month or every six weeks. My goldens could go longer, but my labs skin always got oily until I found instabaths and labs don’t sink but when they get up from an area it stinks. My friends lab always stunk so it always needed a bath. My bald vizsla could get a bath every few months with regular brushing. I must admit though my friend and I didn’t brush every day, we’d miss a day every third day or so. Also my yellow lab needed it more of course because you can start to see the dirt. I’ve always bathed them myself except my first golden who I had trimmed, until I ofund out you don’t necessarily have to cut a golden. By the way, how do you start a blog. I might as well start one for my class at GDF.
Brandy who has one week!
Aw, I wish I read this entry sooner – I would have offered to polish Hanni’s nails myself! I’m no manicurist, but I think I could have handled the job. Next time there’s a special occasion, let me know and I’ll do it on my lunch hour. See you soon!
Wow, what great comments! Sarah, what is your blog address? I’d love to read it. Brandy, it’s a teeny bit complicated to start a blog without being able to see what you’re doing. With your permission I will email you separately with advice. Laurie, I had such fun at the ASPCA award ceremony Monday that I am *hoping* Hanni and I will have another similar event in our future — if so, I’ll count on you for the nail polish! Will give details about Monday night in a future blog, but for now –thanks to all of you for your comments!
it is http://c_for_chaos.livejournal.com
Not be at all disrespectful, but I just wanted to say that there is some profanity in my writing. I apologize.
What the hell, no need to apologize for profanity!
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