Edgar-bath day tomorrow

After my experience with attempting to get one stubborn and very strong Chorgi in the bath tub, I realized that this was something I was not going to be able to do.  His nails; however, have grown increasingly long and beginning to curl.  I just could not reach his paws from the wheelchair.  My friend, Valerie, came and we coerced Edgar onto the couch.  While she petted him, I prepared to attack those nails.  They are black, so cannot see the quick.  I realized that his quicks may have grown out past normal since his nails had not been cared for long before he came to live with me. Holding his left front paw gently-no objection from him-I placed the nail clipper over the thick, heavy nail , about 1/2 inch up to where the nail had begun to curve.  It took both my hands gripping the handles of the clipper to cut through the nail.   Edgar yelped.  The chunk of nail went flying.  Valerie exclaimed, "Oh no-he's bleeding".  I rather expected that. Despite what some owners think, in all my many years of grooming, I have never seen a dog bleed to death from a nail.  Edgar apparently has good clotting factor.  The bleeding stopped quickly as I applied a kleenex and pressure.  If it had continued I would have packed it with cornstarch.  I gave Edgar some little treats.  When he was calm, I went for nail # 2.  It was so tough I could not even make a dent in it.  These are almost new nail clippers and good quality.  Of course my hands are well used and no longer of good quality!  So we gave up.

Tomorrow a professional groomer is coming to bathe Edgar and cut those nails.   We will both feel much better once that is done.  If all goes well, I will have the groomer come once a month.

It is very embarrassing not to be able to groom/bathe my own dog.  I have done this for so many years.  I bathed Hannah, the dog before Edgar, with no problem.  Of course she was MUCH more cooperative!  Hannah had white, normal toe nails too, and would lie on the bed where I could reach easily to have them trimmed.   One more thing I have to give up.  At least I can still brush Edgar daily!  Also-thank goodness there is a groomer willing to come to my apartment.

I will do a follow-up on this tomorrow with the results. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Today I set out on a new adventure.  I only wonder why I waited so long?  I am 84 years old. Widowed, mother of four children of whom I am very proud.  Grandmother of four bright grandchildren making their mark in this confusing world of today.  Great Grandmother of two charming little boys. I am a retired Veterinary Technician-a job I hated becoming too old to participate in.  I was a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in the state of New York.  Farmer's daughter (dairy farm in Vermont) 4-her and later a 4-H leader when my children were of age to be members.. I am the author of one book , One Dog Night, published last year and currently available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or through your local bookstore.  I have been writing since I was 10 years old. I have had animals around me all my life -cows, goats, horses, hens..-always a dog and a cat. With me now are Hannah, an 11 year old Brittany and Susie, a 6 year old  female kitty. In this bl...
Read more

The Praying mantis

I believe I had mentioned  seeing a wee Praying mantis on my porch earlier.  They do grow so rapidly!  Or at least I think what I am seeing now is the same one I rescued not that long ago, guiding him (or her) off the cement platform into the garden. A week ago, Edgar was staring intently at something in the grass.  At first I did not see what he was finding so fascinating, as the grass was in need of mowing and the well camoflaged  creature was himself so green.  There he was, "my" Praying mantis, now a "teen-ager", standing tall among the blades of grass with his hands folded in prayer before him. Edgar edged forward, sniffing at the small insect, ever so gently.  This boistrous, pouncing dog of mine!  As he eased forward, nose working, he barely touched the miniature triangular head.  SWISH -one tiny hand swept forward, slapping Edgar right on the end of his nose.  Edgar jumped back, startled.  His curiosity was not dissuaded tho...
Read more
April 9, 2019 Here we are again, Hannah and I, for a second try at this new adventure. First I want to thank Jon Katz and Patty Musgrove for their unceasing patience and encouragement in getting this blog going.  The Army of Good took a different and unprecedented turn to accomplish this effort.  Thanks also to all who responded to Jon's request to help me.  So many good people.  There is hope for this suffering world after all. Hannah, the dog in my photo, is an aging Brittany who is my Service dog.  She came to be my companion a year ago when I lost my beloved Border collie who had been with me for 10 years. Hannah had been hit by a truck and had multiple injuries.  She was taken to a veterinary hospital and treated.  Although they advertised, the hospital was never contacted by her owner. She was thought to be around 10 years old, so perhaps her owner was not able to pay the very large medical bill and just let her go unclaimed. This was n...
Read more