I wrote once before about dogs that hate to have their nails cut – Toe Nails or Not Toe Nails.
But lately, I’m thinking that the experience of trimming a reluctant dog’s nails is much like a Pedro Almodovar film, filled with passion, the search for identity, the importance of maintaining one’s values, and the need for irreverent humor.
I will give you some examples….
Dogs on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Rat Terrier Joba begins to tremble when his owner approaches the cabinet that has the nail clipper and other fiendish equipment like the Furminator and the LoveGlove. He tucks his tail under him until the tip touches his nose. He slinks sideways to the bedroom and dives under the bed to escape the inevitable.
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
Weimeraner Curtis can be bribed with an infusion of chicken strips to lay down for his pedicure and will allow one, just one, nail to be trimmed. He immediately assumes that he gave at the office and attempts to rise and politely leave. Several family members are then enlisted to apply restraining arms and legs so the remaining nails can be cut.
Talk to Him
Francisco is a Fox Terrier that will only allow the father in the family to touch his precious toes. Dad hates the task and must be coerced by withholding supper until he does the nasty deed. He must keep up a patter of low, gruff conversation to reassure Francisco while he trims the nails.
Bad Education
Robinson is a Beagle that bays as only his breed can when he spies the nail clipper. Not because he is anxious about the nail trimming, but because he has trained his family to give him a piece of a Nathan’s all-beef hotdog for each nail to be cut. No weiner, no pedicure.
Broken Embraces
Papillion A.J.’s owner wraps him in a towel, fishes for one skinny leg to hold out to her partner-in-crime, all the while listening to A.J.’s shrieks and protests. The trick is to swaddle him so tightly that he cannot squiggle out of the fabric which, of course, he manages to do nearly every time.
All About My Mother
All About My Mother
Maltese Brett rides proudly in his car seat to the groomer‘s, where his owner drops him off, leaving the Drama King to the professionals.
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