Jeanette had been our groomer for nearly 13 years with our previous love, Elsie. I remember asking Jeanette, a couple of years ago, if she'd like a referral and she politely responded, "I've been doing this for quite some time, now... and I'm no longer taking on new dogs... and am allowing my business to begin winding down. But thanks for being willing to recommend me!"
Now with a new pup, I had to make arrangements for getting Elise groomed. So I reached back out to Jeanette and asked if she would consider taking on Elise... and, if not, if she might be able to provide a referral. Of course, I sent a picture of our new little girl. I was both surprised and elated when Jeanette immediately responded with, "I'd love to take care of Elise! I was so hoping you would ask. Let's get her in when she hits 13 weeks." Elise turned 13 on Wednesday.
Jeanette performs her grooming magic out of her home. I pulled into the driveway and parked. Elise and I exited the van and I put Elise down on the ground. When I'd bring Elsie, all those many years, she'd immediately head towards the side of the garage to the entry door. Elsie loved Jeanette. So I was caught quite by surprise when Elise immediately began to head towards the side entrance to the garage. Of course my mind immediately went to "Elsie's helping guide her". Darcey would later suggest that Elise could smell the path that all the other dogs would take.
Jeanette first suggested that I come back in a couple of days to pick up Elise. I smiled and said, "Two days so easily becomes two weeks... so how about we say two hours?" To keep the time as short as possible for this first visit, we agreed that she'd text me when Elise could be picked up. An hour and half later I was headed back to Jeanette's.
Elise was happy to see me and was beautiful with her new "do". I was elated to see how relaxed and mellow she was... for what I imagined would be a stressful event. Nope. She hadn't been a problem at all with any part of the process. The only minimally difficult part had been the clipping of her face with shears. Elise was very curious about the scissors... what they looked like, how they worked, how they tasted, what they were going to do next. What she was not... AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS... was scared or concerned.
I have to give a lot of credit to the breeder. In the short 9-weeks that they had Elise, they did much to make this little girl feel very self-confident and self-assured. I would later find out that they had an app that ran on their SmartPhone that sounded like electric clippers and made the phone vibrate with the sound. They had also worked diligently to make the pups comfortable with having their paws, ears, face and tail worked with. And this breed has hair that can grow in their ears that is best kept plucked. Elise did not offer the first complaint at that plucking process.
As we were getting back into the car, heavy construction trucks were moving up and down the street and making lots of very loud noises. Elise barely gave them notice as we got ready to leave. More positive indication of the result of the breeder's program of noise acclimation. We got home and Elise wanted to quickly go inside. She went into the family room, moved to where Darcey could see her and made a little "harumph". I think she wanted to show off the fact that she had a new face and could see again.
I've just uploaded a couple of pictures... one before and one after grooming. The after one was later at night. I'd given Elise notice that it was bedtime. We'd already done our last outside potty trip. It was time to begin Darcey's night routine... but instead, we'd gotten to gabbing. Elise was looking at me with a "I thought we were going to bed" look on her face. I had to take a picture. Oops... I'll be right back. Elise just rang the bells to let me know she'd like to go outside. Will be back in a flash...
Okay... I'm back. The bells... these hang from the door knob and end near the floor. It took only two days for Elise to understand that if she "nosed" the bells to make them ring, that I'd get up and we'd go outside to go potty. Once, this last Sunday, she rang the bells only to go outside and sit in the sun. All other times, she's needed to go potty. Such a smart little girl.
Well it is getting on near bedtime. Elise helps supervise the process of getting Darcey ready to go upstairs and then getting her into bed for the night. She's actually quite the little helper.
So niters, all! And as always,
My very best to you all...
Jim