Looking After Emily, 2006, by Grandguy
From MemoryArchive
Who: Grandguy What: Dog Minding When: 2006 Where: Carrying Place Ont. Can.
Emily is Vivian and Bruce's dog. Vivian, our daughter,and Bruce live about a ten minute drive from us and it is really handy to be close enough to see one another when desired, but not so close that we are always in each other's houses. We often look after their dog, Emily, sometimes for a day, sometimes longer. Emily is getting pretty old in "dog years", not too anxious to go out for walks, which suits me fine as I am also getting pretty old, in "human years". Over the years Muriel has given Emily antibiotics, put stuff in her ears, and one time in the warm weather we even gave her a bath, that was hilarious! That was this summer and it was one of the few times in recent years that we truly had "fun". I must admit, I am not a pet animal person. We did not have pets growing up, my father got a dog after the children left home and I think that was a mistake, but back to bathing Emily. Between the two of us we got her into the laundry tub and she was certainly co-operative, it was much like handling a greased pig I would think. When we had judged that she was washed and reasonably rinsed we got he out of the tub and tried to dry her, although by this time we were all about the same moisture level. As we towelled her, her friskyness increased at an astounding rate! Eventually she was so exuberant that she broke loose and as we opened the door to the outside she took off like she was stealing second base. Muriel and I couldn't stop laughing in delight as Emily shook herself, wagged her tail and raced about the grass. I'm sure that she would have been laughing with us if she could. Last weekend Viv' and Bruce decided they needed a few days, "South of the border", I believe they went to Syracuse for a gambling casino, then towards New York City along a valley, the name of which escapes me. In any case, they left the dog with us, with the usual bag of accoutriments, lease, shampoo, treats etc. They were in a bit of a hurry to get going Monday morning so they only stayed for a few minutes, and just as they were leaving Vivian shouted out that we should brush Emiliy's teeth, in a few days. And away they went. Now, Viv' and Bruce are a model of consideration, so I was puzzled that they would leave a job like that for us to do. Several days passed and Muriel, rolling her eyes said, "Well, I guess we had better do her teeth." Muriel started to go through Emily's bag and sure enough, there were a package of tooth brushes. I caught a glimpse of them as Muriel turned the package over to read the instructions, "Damned short handles on those brushes!", I thought. As Muriel read the instructions she started to smile and then her face cracked open in a wide grin as she passed the brushes to me. As all dog owners probably know, these were, "Do it yourself toothbrushes", they are completely edible and Emily totally enjoyed "brushing her teeth", and getting a treat at the same time! Now if they only had them for humans..........!
