The Story of BB the Great Dane

BB and his built in sun visor, 23 wks old

Well it’s finally happened: the boys had their first all out, lathered up, water pouring bath! It’s almost a good thing that BB is less mobile, since he’s more reactive! Big brother Kenai didn’t like the sound of the sopping washcloth coming to get him wet, but he mostly stood still. I figured that’d be more pleasant than dumping the bucket over him. Less likely to cause a sprint towards the woods, too. Kenai done, it was BB’s turn.

BB was tolerating none of it gracefully, happy voice and treats notwithstanding. He wobbled around while I soaped him up, and wobbled farther and faster when I tried rinsing with the washcloth. Finally in mercy, I just poured the water straight out of the bucket to get it done for him in two seconds. It was over faster, and we could move on the actually fun stuff: drying off games called “shiney up the puppy”.

“Shiney up the puppy” involves large towels they can play with while I dry them off. I let them nip and pull the corners of it, and generally enjoy themselves while I rub and buff our little buff beauties. They can do the goofy dance, the flamingo step, the slide, the mashed potato, and any other funny little wiggle they want, so long as they stay in the general area. No running off allowed, but the moonwalk is fine.

I didn’t wet their faces, though a baby wipe for the smelly ears did the job once they came inside. That was more indignity than BB could endure apparently. Holy smokes, you’d think I was the warden of a concentration camp, the way he complained at me. He got my guy started too. It was so bad, (hilarious), I had to take them each for a romp in the field! Grumbles, swats, and mouthy mutts finally gave way to happy trails and tails. Then a nap.

BB’s after-bath hide out, 23 wks

Their afternoon outing to the ice cream store with Mom and I ended with them splitting a cup of puppy frozen yogurt. It’s made for dogs, and they prefer the peanut butter flavor to even the tiny taste I gave them of my chocolate shake. Just as well, it’s better for them. You could coat hideous tasting Chinese herbs with peanut butter and they’d eat them…

Licking the spoon was taking forever, so I dropped one spoonful at a time in each food bowl. It took long enough for them to think they were getting tons of goodies, and fast enough for my tired feet to endure. I love it when a plan works out for the best!

It was a mostly good day, having only a little trouble between the boys in the evening on the couch. I call it the daily couch crap. It’s up and down, after your toys, bite your butt, pick a fight sort of nonsense.

I should have quarantined the two when the restless stuff started or taken BB for a run, but I foolishly didn’t. Exercising Kenai is all I can handle, really. BB’s play is up to Mom: unfortunately, she hates walking him and he has more energy than my toodles. He was the instigator of the final tooth tussle of the evening. A hard scolding for both and BB in his expen settled it.

The two toothy warriors got back together later in the evening while I waited to feed Kenai for the last time. No foolishness tolerated, either. You go to sleep over there, you go to sleep over here. By 9:30 pm that works, because they’re really sleepy and just want to go nite-nite. They’re still little babies…

In case you’re wondering about the title of the post, Soggy Bottom Boys—aside from the obvious bath times, there’s a music group called “The Foggy River Boys”. I liked the play on words. I liked the crinkled ears and cheeky complaints too. They were downright impolite about it all… that’s my boys, the Brother’s Grin, making “music” of their own!