Teddy Bean leaves 75% of self at groomer's
So this weekend Teddy Bean went to his first groomer's appointment. Since I'd brought him home fourth of July weekend, he'd gone from nearly bald to a wonderfully wooly huggable beast. My intention in getting him groomed was not to lose any of his amazing furriness, but just to get him a great shampoo, trim his nails, clean his ears and all all that -- maybe a little snip here and there to smooth things out.
Well. The groomer took one look at Bean and declared the wool that I'd fallen so in love with "matted." Matted??? What? I told her I'd cleaned him and brushed him and everything. But she was insistent: Mats. And she revved the razor.
To make a long story short, Bean left about 75 percent of himself in a Wash the Wag garbage can.
I'll admit, I got teary. I really didn't want to see the fur go. I know it grows back. It's just that the shaved Teddy reminds me of the scared, fresh out of the puppy mill Teddy, the little guy that looked so scawny and pathetic and helpless. Through the months, he started looking more robust and learning to be a doggidy dog. I became not just his foster caretaker but someone who loved him. His thick, thick fur that I could run my hands through and cuddle against meant real progress I could grab onto.
Anyway. I realize the progress is still there. It's just the fur that's gone. And it will be back, soon enough.
And yes, I'll be brushing better this time Bean, I promise. Next time that fur ain't going anywhere.
This is my little Bean on the table at the groomer's before anything started. Note his extreme, proud, fleece-y coat. And then, here's the little dear afterward. He's back to his lamb cut, sporting a homemade scarf to add to his grief, but still my Bean.
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
Comments
I understand your pain and that is one cuddly little furball. However(!), the dog in that second picture - dorky scarf notwithstanding - is about the furthest thing from scared, scrawny, pathetic and helpless. Good job, Jill! Good goin', Bean!
Posted by: Eve | November 24, 2009 9:31 AM
Zee Bean looks fabulous!
I do understand the hair thing though. The first time I had to get my Shih Tzu shaved I cried.
Look at the look on the Bean's shaved face. Nothing but confidence and love. The hair WILL grow back.
Love the scarf.
Posted by: Lori | November 24, 2009 10:33 AM
Nice look, Beaner!
I'll bet he feels great! As a kid, we had a cockapoo mutt named Momo, and after she would get shaved down at the groomer, she would act like a proud little diva and prance around for weeks.
Posted by: dcdiva | November 24, 2009 11:17 AM
Nothing like some cute accessories to compensate for the lost fur. :)
Posted by: jen | November 24, 2009 12:17 PM
He looks adorable
Posted by: Debbie | November 24, 2009 7:20 PM
Does he have a coat or sweater for this colder weather?
Posted by: Tina | November 24, 2009 11:16 PM
Our English Cocker spaniel Indiana always breathed great sighs of relief after going to the groomer to get "de-matted," a condition even my most ardent and consistent brushing could not eliminate. Indy's relief was audible and visible, because mats can, and do, hurt!
Posted by: Diana Hartnett | November 25, 2009 10:35 PM
One of my friends swore that her standard poodle loved going to the groomer--she knew she looked good afterwards and her attitude showed it!
Posted by: Dahlink | November 30, 2009 12:02 PM