The Many Faces of Parker

Parker is a two-faced dog.  Not in the normal sense, although he can definitely be a little snob at times, but physically.  I know it's time to set up a grooming appointment when I call him "fluffy bunny boy" more often than Parker, and he actually responds to the nickname.  For example...

I love being fluffy!

While I absolutely love fluffy Parker, it definitely doesn't work when Spring has finally arrived and mud is everywhere.  He also attracts ticks and foliage wherever we go, so a shorter haircut just makes life easier.  Although it isn't as entertaining when we're driving in the car.

Feel the wind in your fur...

Sadly, Parker has yet to come to terms with his grooming requirements.  On the one hand, he lets me comb him out, he's great at playing dead while I flop him around during our tick checks, and I can now play with his paws and ears for a decent amount of time.  But there are still some aspects of a full groom that terrify him, and overall the experience is stressful for everyone involved.  Luckily, the groomer knows Parker's history and is very good with him, so the process is quick and I help her with the really tough parts (the nail trim and ear pluck) so that when Parker wants to bite someone, it's me.  He's actually really cute about it- he'll look me right in the eye and grab my hand, but only bite down a little.  It doesn't hurt me, but it reminds me of someone squeezing your hand when they're scared or in pain.  In the end it has to happen, and he always looks adorable afterward.

See?  I am a schnauzer thing.

Not to be outdone, Skye makes sure to be equally stressed on Parker's grooming days.  She is okay with being separated from Parker most of the time, unless she can hear him barking; then it's all over.  She whines and paces and runs between me and the door in an overly-dramatic way.  This time we were in camp together, but she could still pick out his crazed barking every once in a while, and would immediately stop all playing and resume her concerned vigil.  Once Parker was done he came up to camp, and Skye fussed over him for at least 15 minutes.  She sniffed every inch of him, refused to let other dogs play with him, and generally acted like a mother hen.  They both retired to the top of the crates (a favorite hang out spot), where Skye nibbled on him mercilessly.

Nom nom nom

Eventually they both fell asleep, lucky for me.

ZZZZzzzzz...

Really, I think it's a win-win- Parker is clean, they're both tired... can it get any better?

I doubt it!

In other news, Skye's latest blood work seemed back to normal, so I thought the ordeal was over.  Then Thursday, she began yelping in pain (as if someone had stepped on her paw/tail type yelp) at random times.  It happened maybe 10-15 times throughout the day, then 4 times overnight, and it has continued during the day.  Sometimes she is running around, playing, or being pet, but many times she is still or sleeping.  She isn't limping, doesn't seem stiff or tender anywhere, and doesn't do it when I'm feeling her trying to find out where the pain is coming from.  My vet is on vacation until Monday, but the vet tech didn't seem to think it was an emergency.  Regardless, I jump out of my skin every time I hear it and feel awful for her, even though she acts as if nothing happened about 10 seconds later.  But I see a vet visit in our future... again.  Perhaps this time I'll bring my camera and try to get a picture of the world's ugliest cat, who lives there and terrifies Skye with his giant eyes. 

As always, happy Saturday!  If you are hopping by, thanks for visiting!