Curiosity Cleaned the Dog....August 24, 1999

Curiosity Cleaned the Dog....August 24, 1999

Sitting here, my fingers floating over my electronic pen, glancing at the cyber paper on screen, this writer is flanked by two mutts. Both are making attempts at garnering attention, and each is abjectly refusing to be ignored. Reekie's approach is more subtle, with a little snout nudge to the elbow every few seconds. Moo, in direct contrast, covets the paws on keyboard until scritched approach.

Glossy fur coated bookends.

What a privilege to be so adored.

Looking at the two of them brings to mind yet another canine inspired anecdote. This latest doggy ditty happened just this morning.

I live in an old house, as previously established. It is so old that, among other more modern amenities, it lacks a shower stall. Instead, I have an antique, yet charming claw-foot bathtub. With a slopped back, it is grand enough to be able to stretch out and recline for a refreshing soak. Late evening soaks are the best, when I can turn out all lights, play soft classical, and bathe myself in candlelight while washing the day's clambers away.

I would not trade in that tub for anything. Besides, with a hand-held, who needs a full stall?

Living alone, I usually bathe with the door open. It seems fruitless to close it. Besides, being able to view the candlelight as it fades out down the hallway lends a rather ominous atmosphere to the experience. I like ominousness. Furthermore, it is more of a comfort to Reekie to be able to lay on the opposite side of the threshold and see me when he wants to.

And then there's Moo.

Moo has taken it upon herself to feign adoration for curiosity's sake whilst I bathe. She hops up, front paws hanging off the edge of the tub, and licks my face, neck, and shoulder just after I wet myself down with the shower head, or subsequent to rinsing myself off. It goes without saying that this negates the whole process entirely. This morning, I think I may have solved the problem, without having to keep the door closed.

I took advantage of her attention being otherwise and unusually occupied just after climbing into the tub; I soaped myself down as I heard her clambering down the hallway toward the bathroom. Then I waited. As anticipated, within seconds of entering the room, she hopped up onto the edge of the tub and started licking, licking, licking.

Suddenly, the licking stopped, replaced by sniffing, replaced by a "what the fuck??" puppy expression. Then, as quickly as she perched herself on the tub's edge, she just as quickly hopped down and started smacking. And smacking. And smacking some more. Reinforcing my tactic was having the presence of mind to keep the toilet seat down. She looked at the flush longingly, sniffed it, and went on smacking. Apparently the bitterness of Ivory was not quite worth the effort of travelling downstairs to the water dish. She did exit the bathroom to lay beside Reekie, though. He got up and left after her smacking interrupted his slumber, grumbling a "you got what you asked for" complaint of protest.

She was still smacking after I finished the scrub and climbed out of the tub. It even prevented her from licking the water off my legs, as she is as well prone to do.

I am 99 44/100% sure she will be somewhere else tomorrow morning while I have my bath. If she wants to learn the hard way, I am 100% sure I will try this again.

....Blessed Be