The damp December weather has meant that our winter walks have been muddy ones. Unfortunately for Flossie, this means that there’s a clean-up operation after every outing.
This involves a bucket of warm water (I’m thoughtful like that), a dripping cloth and several towels.
Unfortunately for me, Flossie has recently decided that paw washing equals playtime. As soon as I approach her with the cloth, she does a little bounce and charges round the garden.
She wants me to chase her, but I won’t, because once I start that, it will forevermore be a game and the paws will never be washed.
The other day, we were in the garden with the bucket of water for some time. Flossie wagged her tail enthusiastically and did a play bow. She knew she was just out of reach and I did stifle a giggle at her comical expression. Treats didn’t work. I couldn’t get near her.
I went back into the kitchen. I have to confess I found her new frolics a little exasperating. I needed to get on with my work and this paw washing pantomime was not helping. Each time I went back outside, she started racing round the garden. We did this three times. She was having a great time.
Finally, I stayed inside for several minutes. I discreetly watched her out of the kitchen window. I could see she was wondering why I wasn’t playing with her. Eventually she came and sat by the back door, and I went out and washed her paws with no problems.
But it made me think. We are living in an unsettled world at the moment. Because I was in a rush, I was being impatient with a dog who was trying to find some fun in something she doesn’t like.
Maybe we could all take a leaf out of Flossie’s book this Christmas and try to make the best of it, even if our situation is not what we would wish.
Merry Christmas everyone.
As published in the Bath Chronicle, 23 December 2021
Suzy Pope is a certified copywriter and newspaper columnist specialising in pets, business and lifestyle. If you would like help with a writing project, please get in touch.
