Gabe is learning

We took the dog to the groomer at Bed and Bones yesterday; I told them I'd like to go back to the full Schnauzer cut for winter.  Cliff said they probably were glad of that, because now they don't have to do much clipping on his legs and belly.  

Originally, after owning a Schnauzer for awhile and taking him for walks around the place, I realized how much dirt and how many stickers and stick-tights could hide in all that fur and had them shave him all over, leaving only his beard and eyebrows to define him as a Schnauzer.

Here he is this morning, not looking much different that he has for most of his life with me; it's going to take awhile to distinguish his skirt and fill out the hair on his legs. 

Gabe turned four years old in August, and has only in the last two months learned it's fun to go to Bed and Bones.  Before, he enjoyed the ride, and even got sort of excited when we made the last turn onto the road that took us there.  However, once we got there he didn't want to go inside, and when we were inside, he wanted to follow me back out the door, every single time.  Two months ago, he wasn't quite as hesitant about staying, and the proprietor told me Gabe had a lot of fun playing with the other dogs.  You see, they don't put dogs in a cage until they're ready to be groomed; they let the small dogs run together to go outside in a fenced area until they are groomed and bathed, then they are inside together until they are picked up.  Same with the big dogs, but they do keep the big ones separated from the small ones.

Yesterday morning we were getting ready to take him in, so I said, "Gabe, are you ready to go to Bed and Bones?"  He started jumping almost as high as my waist, whining.  Then he started running in circles, still whining.  He was very excited!  When we opened the door to go to the car, Gabe led the way.

Once we arrived at Bed and Bones, I clipped a leash on his collar.  He strode proudly up to a convenient post and left a pee-mail for all who might come later, as though to say, "Look out girls, Elvis is in the building."

I told the folks about the Schnauzer cut; as they opened the gate to the inner sanctum, Gabe didn't even look back at me, and by the time I was back in the car, he was in the outside pen with his friends; he didn't even say goodbye.  It took four years, but I guess he finally realizes he may as well enjoy it, knowing we will return to pick him up.