Rusty's First Haircut

Our dog Rusty has never had a professional haircut. Lately he has been doing a lot of biting and scratching. Our efforts to relieve his skin problems have not been successful, so we decided it was time to have him professionally cleaned.

My wife called PetSmart to make the appointment for this past Saturday. They talked her into something called the Furminator. It is a process that helps breeds (like Golden Retrievers) regain their coat. They said that they do not shave Goldens because the hair does not always come back the same way.

So, we arrive at PetSmart and ran into a snag. We were told to bring proof that Rusty had been vaccinated. I had found a receipt from the vet, but unfortunately it did not have the year written down. So, I had to drive back and try to find additional paperwork. Fortunately, I was able to find the right document and Rusty was officially allowed to get a haircut.

We then learned that the Furminator was a 4 hour process. We had dinner plans and so that option was off the table. I guess the Furminator is the Super-Deluxe package (like at the car wash). We told them to just give him the basics (wash, nail trim, clean ears, etc).

What happened next was pretty funny.

Rusty has a mind of his own and can be pretty stubborn. He also has separation anxiety. So, he did not want to cooperate. When it came time for him to have his backside cut, he just laid his 125 pounds down and would not budge. It took 3 employees to try and lift him so they could work on him. They finally were able to do it. They all laughed at his strong will.

An hour and a half later he was ready to leave. He looked and smelled nice. He is not biting and scratching very much.

He is a happier dog which makes us happier as well.