What Kind Of Dog Is That, Anyway?
What Kind Of Dog Is That, Anyway?
My dog, Rani, is a Chow Chow. Odd how her breed name repeats itself. But I am digressing. A Chow is a magnificent looking dog; her tongue is purple, and she has a tail that curls up, accenting her long luscious hair. This tail reminds me a bit of a horse’s mane with its extended flowing locks, but of course, Rani also has that delightful curl. She has a course undercoat that, in her case, is a grey color, but additionally, she has a beautiful top coat of dazzling black straight hair that literally flows with the air current, much like the slow motion flicks we see of a beautiful dog or woman running on the beach. Yes, I believe Rani could take the prize for beauty in any competition.
A few months ago, I took her to the doggy beauty salon for a cut. Knowing that the steamy season was nearly upon us, I told the cutter to use her finest blade. When I picked her up, I was surprised with the shock of my life. Her beautiful black hair was gone, only leaving the grey undercoat exposed. I would have cried, but instead, laughed while all the while saying, “Rani, you are so beautiful.” It is true, dogs don’t use mirrors (try getting your dog to stare into one… they won’t do it), so words alone tell them how they look. And, may I say, the words are very important. If you say them correctly and with the right tone, their tail will viciously wag, and if they can, a smile will appear over their mouth (Rani has a nice smile). All was well with this cut for about two weeks.
One morning, I was in the kitchen brewing my much needed coffee, when Rani walked into the room for her breakfast bone. “Rani,” I exclaimed. “Come closer, something is on your back. Let me get it off you.” I laughed when she got closer… she had a small black tuff of hair growing out of her grey undercoat… just one spot. “Well, you now have a unique look.” I told her.
During the next week, more of these circles appeared on her back. I would take her for our morning beach walk where folks would stare and laugh. “What kind of dog is she, anyway?!” I think that is what they were asking, it was in Espanol.
More time went by when my neighbor came over to share my morning coffee ritual. She took a second look at my furry friend, and exclaimed, “Are more circles appearing on her?”
Rani had taken on the appearance of a Dalmatian! Yes, a spotted Dalmation with a purple tongue, not to mention her Chow Chow head and tail. I told her many times during each day how pretty she looked to ensure that her confidence didn’t falter.
It became more ridiculous each day. Walks to the beach took double the time, with tourists stopping us to take her photo. They would look at her and ponder, what kind of breed is she? The smirks, the smiles, the LAUGHING. It took all my strength to woo her into believing that it was all because of her beauty.
She had become a star, but it saddened me. Finally, her hair spots became long enough to take her back to the doggy salon. The owner is a veterinarian, so naturally when we entered her shop, she took a double look… probably concerned that she had a vitamin deficiency.
She looked at me oddly, maybe she had thoughts of me mistreating Rani. Is there even a drug that can make a grey haired dog transform into a Dalmatiany off-breed? After some discussion, however, she was convinced, as was I, that her problem was all about the cut. The groomer was instructed not to cut below the black hair. When I picked her up a few hours later, she was still the spotted friend I had left with them. But, somehow, without the tuffs of hair sticking out of their spots, she looked much healthier.
I was amazed at how her attitude had changed. As much as I had supported her during the snickering moments she had endured, somehow she knew that she was back to being her beautiful self. It will probably take a few more months before she is completely black again, but her days are now on the up and up. I smiled at her, no more laughing allowed in my house when she is in the room (at least while we wait for the last of the spots to take over her body).
We got home, she demonstrated a good appetite, and then wanted to walk the beach. I pondered what had happened the past months, and after much analysis, it all came down to one thought.
Never judge a Chow by her spots.
Now, if I could only get Maddy (see July 24th blog) straightened out.
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Got comments? You will find the comment box below this story.
__________________________________________________________
You can read all about drama in my novels. Check them out at www.cmichaelsbooks.com, author of Twisted Thrillers.
__________________________________________________________
My dog, Rani, is a Chow Chow. Odd how her breed name repeats itself. But I am digressing. A Chow is a magnificent looking dog; her tongue is purple, and she has a tail that curls up, accenting her long luscious hair. This tail reminds me a bit of a horse’s mane with its extended flowing locks, but of course, Rani also has that delightful curl. She has a course undercoat that, in her case, is a grey color, but additionally, she has a beautiful top coat of dazzling black straight hair that literally flows with the air current, much like the slow motion flicks we see of a beautiful dog or woman running on the beach. Yes, I believe Rani could take the prize for beauty in any competition.
A few months ago, I took her to the doggy beauty salon for a cut. Knowing that the steamy season was nearly upon us, I told the cutter to use her finest blade. When I picked her up, I was surprised with the shock of my life. Her beautiful black hair was gone, only leaving the grey undercoat exposed. I would have cried, but instead, laughed while all the while saying, “Rani, you are so beautiful.” It is true, dogs don’t use mirrors (try getting your dog to stare into one… they won’t do it), so words alone tell them how they look. And, may I say, the words are very important. If you say them correctly and with the right tone, their tail will viciously wag, and if they can, a smile will appear over their mouth (Rani has a nice smile). All was well with this cut for about two weeks.
One morning, I was in the kitchen brewing my much needed coffee, when Rani walked into the room for her breakfast bone. “Rani,” I exclaimed. “Come closer, something is on your back. Let me get it off you.” I laughed when she got closer… she had a small black tuff of hair growing out of her grey undercoat… just one spot. “Well, you now have a unique look.” I told her.
During the next week, more of these circles appeared on her back. I would take her for our morning beach walk where folks would stare and laugh. “What kind of dog is she, anyway?!” I think that is what they were asking, it was in Espanol.
More time went by when my neighbor came over to share my morning coffee ritual. She took a second look at my furry friend, and exclaimed, “Are more circles appearing on her?”
Rani had taken on the appearance of a Dalmatian! Yes, a spotted Dalmation with a purple tongue, not to mention her Chow Chow head and tail. I told her many times during each day how pretty she looked to ensure that her confidence didn’t falter.
It became more ridiculous each day. Walks to the beach took double the time, with tourists stopping us to take her photo. They would look at her and ponder, what kind of breed is she? The smirks, the smiles, the LAUGHING. It took all my strength to woo her into believing that it was all because of her beauty.
She had become a star, but it saddened me. Finally, her hair spots became long enough to take her back to the doggy salon. The owner is a veterinarian, so naturally when we entered her shop, she took a double look… probably concerned that she had a vitamin deficiency.
She looked at me oddly, maybe she had thoughts of me mistreating Rani. Is there even a drug that can make a grey haired dog transform into a Dalmatiany off-breed? After some discussion, however, she was convinced, as was I, that her problem was all about the cut. The groomer was instructed not to cut below the black hair. When I picked her up a few hours later, she was still the spotted friend I had left with them. But, somehow, without the tuffs of hair sticking out of their spots, she looked much healthier.
I was amazed at how her attitude had changed. As much as I had supported her during the snickering moments she had endured, somehow she knew that she was back to being her beautiful self. It will probably take a few more months before she is completely black again, but her days are now on the up and up. I smiled at her, no more laughing allowed in my house when she is in the room (at least while we wait for the last of the spots to take over her body).
We got home, she demonstrated a good appetite, and then wanted to walk the beach. I pondered what had happened the past months, and after much analysis, it all came down to one thought.
Never judge a Chow by her spots.
Now, if I could only get Maddy (see July 24th blog) straightened out.
__________________________________________________________
Got comments? You will find the comment box below this story.
__________________________________________________________
You can read all about drama in my novels. Check them out at www.cmichaelsbooks.com, author of Twisted Thrillers.
__________________________________________________________
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