A Trip to the Groomers

      Fanny and Zoey had appointments this afternoon to have Mani/Pedi's and their ears cleaned at Olivia's Happy Tails in Herkimer but since it was so hot and humid and Zoey hasn't had her rabies shot yet I volunteered to take Fanny alone.  Jeff and Zoey could stay home and nap in the cool house.  I hooked Fanny leash to her collar and whispered to her 'let's go for a ride and get some chicken nuggets on the way home'.  She looked up at me from her nearly prone position on the couch in the TV room and I swear she said 'f**k you' and did not move a muscle.  I tried tugging on her leash and nothing happened except Zoey came running thru the house.  I truly believe Zoey said 'chicken nuggets?  I'll go for a ride in the car for chicken nuggets!' Jeff followed Zoey into the room and saw I wasn't getting anywhere fast with Fanny.  By the time he had his hat on, she was off the couch and by the door ready to go.  We all went out into the hot, humid day and drove to Herkimer.  The parking space next to Olivia's Happy Tails on the corner of Main St and Park Ave was empty but I was headed the wrong way.  I did an illegal U-turn in the parking lot of the former Crocker Agency and pulled into the parking space.  Zoey and I got out of the car and fed the meter while Jeff tried to convince Fanny it was time to climb down.  Finally she got out and we walked to the door of the shop.  That's when Zoey realized all the interesting smells on the street stopped at that door and there were just dog smells from there on.  She refused to go thru the door.  With a little coaxing, pulling and pushing, we finally got both dogs into the shop. 
   I explained that Zoey had all her puppy shots but not the rabies and they said she could still have her nails done. She shared a room with a golden doodle who was a gentleman and a perfect model.  He stood still and tall while his coat was groomed and clipped, looking over...and down at Zoey.  She wasn't sure she liked what was happening... to her ears when the groomer cleaned them or her back feet when those nails were clipped.  By the time they got to her front feet Zoey was trying to hide in my arms!  A little puppy powder and a kerchief and she was finished!

   Fanny, on the other hand, knew what was going to happen, never liked it and didn't like it today. When her name was called, she tucked her tail between her legs, spread her back legs and tried to hanker down.  Jeff had to pull her down the hall to the grooming room. The groomer slipped on the muzzle to keep her from impulse biting and Jeff stayed close to calm and reassure her as they lifted her into the grooming tub.  Her ears were cleaned out and her nails clipped.  A pretty kerchief was put around her neck and she was finished. 

   Fanny couldn't wait until she was out of there...Zoey was waiting to compare notes...and we got them cow hooves as treats because they were good and didn't bite anyone!  Their next appointment is Oct. 11th. 

   Since I had promised the dogs chicken nuggets, we went to Burger King next and got a 10-pack of nuggets for $1.49 for them to share, 2 Whoppers for $6 for Jeff (and some onion rings) and a Buffalo chicken sandwich for me.  Then we drove over to McDonald's and got 2 large sodas for $1 each and a glass of ice water for free.   Jeff suggested going down to the river to eat our lunch at the Maytan Fishing Site so we drove down there.  It was worth it!  So nice and cool by the river with just a slight breeze!  Jeff walked the dogs around the picnic area by the river before we headed home. Fanny wasn't terribly impressed but Zoey would have stayed all day.
   Fanny fled straight into the house when we got there but Zoey wanted to run around a little outside. Now both of them are napping...Zoey on the chair to my right and Fanny at my feet to the left.  Oh, Jeff is getting ready to nap, too.  Maybe that's now such a bad idea.