The WDITW Gets a Bath

Cooper played hard at the dog park on Monday morning and he desperately needed a bath.  It has been a hot minute since he last had a bath and he smelled pretty ripe.  So, you already know he is the worst dog in the world and his poor behavior certainly extends to bath time.  In fact, his first bad behavior report was given because he bit two humans at the groomers.  In the same day.  He drew blood.  He was still a little puppy, but he jumped out of the tub during his bath and when they tried to put him back in he bit them.  Also, same day he bit them again when they tried to put him in the drying room with the loud blowing fans.  All I can figure is that sometime before he was found on the side of the road at five weeks old, he must have been trapped in a car wash that terrified him.  I mean, puppies can't even walk or see before they are a couple weeks old, right?  What could have possibly happened to him in those first few short weeks of life that made him this neurotic?  

Anyway, after an hour at the dog park, I thought for sure he would have some good endorphins racing through his brain and might even be too physically tired to fight bath time.  I crossed my fingers, grabbed my lucky rabbit foot, threw some salt over my shoulder, found a four leaf clover in the yard, bit the bullet, said a prayer and gathered up all the supplies. 

I would need dog shampoo, an old towel, his leash, his muzzle, peanut butter....and my 15 year old.  It was going to be a family affair.    

Here is mommy's little angel with his muzzle on.  He puts it on like a champ.  Anything for a treat.  And he was thrilled about heading upstairs!  He absolutely loves getting past the barricade that keeps him from going upstairs.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!  He was a little confused about why he had on the muzzle and was still on a leash, but really too excited about smelling all the upstairs things to really care. 

I asked Chip to get in the bathtub to hold Coop's leash during his bath and he was game.  Thank goodness!  While Chip got situated, I smeared peanut butter all over the back of the tub.  A little diversion for TWDITW to enjoy while the washing and rinsing was going on.  

Then we had a standoff.  Chip and the peanut butter in the tub...Cooper NOT in the tub.  He was not having it.  I tried to lift him up and put him in the tub and if Cooper had not been muzzled I would have been without arms or a face.  He REALLY wanted the peanut butter and he was so curious about Chip standing in the tub, but he was not getting in.  

After much failed coaxing and pleading, Chip and I hatched a new plan and start trying to figure out how to lure Coop into the shower stall and bathe him there.  As we are talking over the options, TWDITW jumped right in the tub and started licking the peanut butter.  Apparently, he just didn't want an audience.  

We sprung into action and soon water and suds and washing and scrubbing were underway.  It wasn't easy and there was definitely some growling and snapping going on.  He was a no go on any washing of his belly region or any part of the bottom half of legs, or of any part of his feet and his head and ears were completely off limits.  Basically, I washed his back and chest.  So if you are in the neighborhood and want to pet TWDITW, stick to those areas.  We are going to call him clean and move on with our lives!  

Must now clean the bathroom, scrub the dog grime and peanut butter off the tub and give myself the longest, hottest shower ever!  I have earned it.