The Clean Crew

The sun was shining today.  The first day in almost a week of rain.  Maybe our backyard will dry up a little and cease being a wet and slippery pit full of giant clay paw prints like molded dark grey Play-Doh.  After this week, the new grass is tall and in need of a mowing.  We can barely see Paddy when she walks outside.

By being in the sunlight, your body absorbs vitamins D.  Plus, my favorite place to be is in the swing under the blooming wisteria and the mimosa tree I planted when it was only four inches tall.  This day feels so alive and peaceful, full of promises.  Then, the wet soaks through my leggings!  Meat's soft slimy lips drape over my knee, coated with slobber and grass.  Eww!

It's time for a bath.  All of them are grungy and dirty so Jacob and I take towels and soap and brushes and the water hose to the driveway.  Meat's first.  Washing him is like washing a car.  He's huge--150 pounds!  He stands still getting scrubbed, dried.  Next is Mousse.  She usually gets really nervous and poops a lot during a bath at the groomers.  She didn't even pass gas today.  I think the cold water feels good to her.  Shadow, our old lady dog, is third in line.  She is shaking a little bit while the suds and cold water soak her down.  She is short, only one foot tall, so Jacob is the one scrubbing her clean.  Last but not least is shy, sweet Maggie.  My foster fail is quiet unless she is protecting me, which she does often.  During her bath, a lawn crew show up at the yard across the street.  Maggie maintains her good behavior but keeps an ever watchful eye on the extra noise.  Using the brushes and then the gloves that have bristles, we collect a huge pile of loose fur.  The birds will have something to use for nests.

Clean and tired, everyone is in the house, napping now.  The best smelling pups on the street.