The Dog Star: Stopping the Enabler
(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)
We couldn’t delay any longer, we were out of excuses, we were both home, the SUV was available.
The dogs had to get baths.
This is never good. As soon as we arrive at the store, Koufax digs in all four, huge paws and refuses to leave the truck, attempting to stuff himself under the dashboard. Buddy runs around like the circus guys on motorcycles racing inside those steel cages.
After we somehow wrangle them into PetSmart, we have to show their rabies certificates, and their records are found on the computer. Meanwhile, they are both desperately searching for an escape route, trying to appear as rescue dogs behind the glass, to be claimed by passersby. One of the groomers immediately recognizes that Koufax’s coat is several inches too thick (he looks like the Yeti’s dog), and tells us we must have the megasonic groom, where apparently a Dyson volcanic vacuum is applied, flown in from Bavaria.
Three of us get Koufax through the swinging gate into the grooming area, and four of us are required for the Beagle. Buddy’s claws resemble those of the extinct giant ground sloth.
Four hours later we return and retrieve them. Koufax has a habit of trying to get into the first vehicle he can, so we’ve learned to park our truck with the door open on the curb in front of the place. The groomers and Maria are exhausted, but the dogs do look rakish. (You can see them here with their PetSmart bandanas, which will not last until dinner time.)
We’ve both decided that all of this is our fault, because we enable them and tolerate this horrible behavior. Something has to change, and we’re putting our collective foot down. We should act like responsible adults. No more fooling around.
We’ve found someone with a van who will come to the house to bathe them.
© Alan Weiss 2010. All rights reserved.
Sally Wright
Alan–Hilarious post. I needed a laugh today. They look so cute with their bandanas.
Dave Gardner
Getting a van to come to the house does sound like the worst form of tough love they could imagine. Is the van equipped with spring water for Koufax to be bathed in? I’m sure he’d appreciate that.
Andrew
The relationship we have with our dogs, children and clients reflects on what we expect of them and where in the “pecking order” they fit or who is the “boss” in the relationship.
I’m intrigued that someone who I would believe is a fair and firm parent and similarly so in a coaching/consulting relationship has no such relationship with his “dog family”.
I would never dream of you enabling a client to act in such a way or tolerate such behaviour
Alan Weiss
Yeah, but they don’t give me unconditional love and ride with their heads out the window. A client is a revenue source, a dog is a life comrade.
Andrew
Absolutely agree
My (grin) got cut off my last post for some reason … I was being facetious.
I have a Shepherd (no 4) and a Jack Russell who remind me each day at 5pm that it’s walk time, by being most obnoxious with behaviour they know I don’t tolerate but figure it will get the better of me. It does.
Alan Weiss
A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house. — Mark 6:4
And among his dogs. — Alan 5:7