Cleanliness is next to...(impossible).

I took Romeo and Maggie Mae to a self-service dog wash on Wednesday afternoon before our vet appointment.  Cathy met us there and provided two more much needed hands for scrubbing.  Romeo had certainly never had a bath, which worked to our advantage; he had no idea what was happening.  Although he was a little scared, he was very good about it, as long as I didn't leave the room. 

He was filthy and I wouldn't say we got it all, but it was a good first round of cleaning.  Nothing washes a dirty dog like Dawn dishwashing detergent.  He had some matted hair and needs a good going over with a rake, but I'd be willing to bet that he's cleaner than he has ever been.  His vet visit was fine too, heartworm negative, stool sample was negative too, and he was good with the vet.

Maggie Mae was even dirtier.  She's older and has been living in filth for more years.  She also had more matted hair, but she was also surprisingly good about the bath.  It just had to make them both feel better.

Maggie Mae's vet visit wasn't so great, however.  She's also heartworm negative and her stool sample was as well, but she has a rather large mammary tumor that will need to be removed.  She's older, 5-7 years, the tumor seemed to have multiple nodules and the vet wasn't so encouraging about the probable results of an upcoming biopsy.  Her ears are infected and inflammed, years of a chronic problem left untreated, resulting in very narrowed ear canals.  Oh, and she's in heat, which means she can't have the spay surgery, tumor removal, and biopsy done right away. She is a nice, nice girl though, very friendly, quick to give her trust.  She's a great dog, but she will need an angel to adopt her. 

Thursday it will be Big Boy and Lilly's turn at the dog wash and at the vet.  If anyone wants to help wash a dog, about 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, let me know.