8/7/25

 I decided that I needed some lake therapy. I started to pack up the dogs and noticed a smell. My power nose smelled bacteria, specifically infection. Where is THAT smell coming from. I inspected all the dogs and found the culprit. Moe had a hot spot starting on his neck. It was oozing and red. His collar was rubbing on it. 

I had to “clean” it. I got out my clippers to shave off some fur so the air could get to it and start the healing process. When I turned on the clippers, he reacted as if I was going to remove ALL his limbs. Super dramatic.

Unfortunately Moe has not yet learned that it is easier to just submit and let me do what I want. Paul is still learning this too.

Since he is “special” I had to work with him and desensitize him to the noise. I wanted him to realize I wasn’t going to hurt him and he needed to trust me. 

I turned the clippers on and we did fight for a bit. It took a lot of treats and patience. I touched the handle of the clippers to him just to touch him with it. He was biting at the clippers and carrying on like a fool.

After about 15 minutes of treats, “good boys” and lots of eye rolls about the ridiculousness of the situation, he finally let me clip the very small patch of fur I needed to clip. The drama was real!

I rewarded him with a treat and a “want to go camping?” “Go get in the car!”. 

He happily ran out to the car and placed himself in the front seat as my copilot, forgetting all about the “traumatizing” event he just endured. Dogs!

I packed the other dogs up and made the drive. I do not regret my decision at all.

The lake was still, the air was perfect and even the manure smell from the local farm was somehow endearing. I was sitting over looking the lake as I finished up my work this evening.

It was quiet. No traffic noise. Just bug noise. All the dogs went on a lengthy walk with me. They happily trotted along, smelling things, peeing on things and exploring. How do I get paid to walk my own dogs for a living?

Little Jiminy thought he was lost at one point. He got into some tall grass and just gave up. I had to go rescue him as he just stopped moving. Goofball.

As the sun set, the moon came up and was an orange-ish color. It was stunning. The picture doesn’t do it justice.