Grooming a senior dog means ticklish feet, balding patterns and an Eyeore tail
I love dogs, but especially old ones. They can communicate their needs, wants and desires more clearly and often more quietly than a puppy. I've noticed with my own old dog, our time spent together is about quality rather than quantity. I focus not on her life winding down, but on the time we have together right now. I try to create keepsake moments for my future without her.
One way we spend quiet time bonding is when I groom her, or as I like to say, "who wants a brushing party?"
The "party" is me using one of our many brushes on her for awhile. She has areas where her fur is thick, and others where it is balding. She also has some lumps, bumps and skin tags to navigate. Her responses to the brushing guide me. I will know when to move along to another spot, when I'm brushing to hard, or when she has had enough and wants to be left alone.
We communicate with touch, and sounds. The softest tap on my leg tells me to move to another location, use a lighter touch, or that I need to use some de-tangler.
Sometimes the session includes using cuticle scissors to trim per paw fur. She has ticklish back feet so I need to be quick, but slow enough to give me a chance to see if she stepped in gum which happens sometimes in the city.
We have many types of brushes that we use on her fur. They furminate, de-shed, rake and pick out her undercoat.
She loves it, and so do I. Though her tail looks more like Eyeore's pinned on tail every day, or a grey pipe cleaner, I love my old dog and this quiet time we get to spend together. Grooming her is not a chore.
Do you find quiet time with your dog? Do you have brushing parties too? Share your stories in the comments.