September 13, 2020

 White Dog laughed. "Skip your exercises today, momma, wrestling alligators, will provide more than a workout today." The whispered conversation was code for it being a Bailey Spa Day; if my mellow Blue-Eyed Baby even suspected her fate, she would have glued herself to the farthest corner of the wall in the yard and not come in until nightfall.

In preparation we gathered a nearly full bag of cheese treats, momma's bath towels (she recognizes the WDA towels and runs), the nail trimmer which Steve tucked in his pocket, and the short leash. 

Getting the leash on was easy; she thought it was walk time. Steve walked her into the bedroom with a cheerful "let's go see what momma has for you!" I lured her up on the bed next to me by shaking the bag and opening it like a slow strip tease. She inhaled three treats and followed my "Down" command knowing more would come.

When I tucked the leash under my leg and slid my arm over her and up her chest to hold her collar My Girl stiffened.  When Steve moved around to her other side and stretched out her front leg the rodeo began. 

I leaned over her to restrict her ability to rise or twist. At the same time I feed her a constant stream of cheese bits. The others peeked in the door in horror. My back, arms and shoulder muscles were indeed getting a workout. She pressed the back of her head against my cheek and tried to push me off; she thinks she succeeded but in reality Spa Day Phase 1, nail trim was competed.

Now for a bath. Have you seen those old cartoons where the miner is seen trying to drag his donkey forward and the beast digs in all four heels and leans backward? That was Steve trying to convince Bailey that she WANTED to go into the bathroom and jump into the bathtub.

Thank dog for the motivation of food for our big stubborn girl. It only took 15 minutes to travel the twelve feet from bed to tub and another five to get Bai inside and seated. The rest of the Army pressed against the gate and plotted how best to rescue their sister. Zsofia sent up a pitiful lament begging Steve to stop the torture and free her beloved sister. Tizenegy wrote his protest on the living room carpet. 

 And fifteen minutes after THAT with water and spray EVERYWHERE...

...mission accomplished.