The Hawk

When my parents came last weekend and set up my patio for me, Riley was more than a little thrilled to go outside and help with the process. He was also more than happy to pee on every available bush and blade of grass that may have inadvertently crossed his path.

I was just happy to see him peeing somewhere, anywhere, other than my kitchen floor.

When he came back inside, however, to shower me with love and show me his exuberance at the discovery that fresh air still exists beyond the sliding glass door, I made my own discovery.

The outside air gets stuck in his fur.

This had happened before, and I was prepared to wipe him down and clean him off before he got too close to my face, but it just wasn’t enough this time. I had a bit of a cough and my breathing changed, but a few hours later, when I thought all would be settled down, my eyes started to feel bruised and my ears and throat were burning. Whatever was on him was not dissipating fast enough.

Admittedly, the pup was in dire need of a haircut, which means there was a whole lot of fur for the air to stick to. Mom, Dad and I were even commenting on how he was starting to look chubby. And when I put his vest on him so Dad could take him outside, the velcro barely reached far enough to close around his belly.

I was thinking he was eating a few too many carrots. Turns out, it was the afro hairstyle that was doing him in.

Because I wanted to breathe better, and if there was any hope of him ever going outside again, Riley had to lose as much hair as possible. And I discovered in the end that my scrawny dog really is still scrawny without hair. So scrawny, in fact, that he looked a little bit like a wuss. He most certainly didn’t look like he could back up that ferocious bark he likes to show off to strangers. Yep. I decided he definitely needed something to toughen up his look…

And then I thought of MckMama’s recent blog about her second son’s summer haircut. The one where they decided to give him a mohawk. I mean, if Nuggey can pull off a mohawk, surely Riley can, too…

I think, if Riley was a human child, these would be the photos I would threaten to show his prom date someday.

Is there someone in charge of revoking the good dog owner card?

In my defense, I don’t get out much. Or ever. And him looking ridiculous has been cracking me up for days.

Poor kid.

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The winner of yesterday’s canvas is:

Robynn’s Ravings!
You are so right, Gitz. Now that we blog we have to open our eyes to see all and try not to miss things. It tightens us up and helps us not to pass up blessings and to (sometimes...) look at even the difficult things in a meaningful or even humorous light. I haven't been laughing this week and felt pretty rough but I just jumped in and started writing this morning and God has returned my joy. I KNOW I'm right where I should be. Blessings my friend. You find EVERYthing to be thankful for.

Congratulations!!! Email me at gitzengirl@gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll get it in the mail to you!