Tag: Nicki

A spa day

Ruby needed to go for a spa day but her appointment had gotten canceled.  She was starting to smell a little like “dog” but luckily there was an opening yesterday at 10 am.  That would be perfect since I could sleep in and not miss the Labor Day picnic later in the day.  She got dropped off and her friend (the groomer) said he would need about 2 1/2 hours.  He’d call when she was done.

She got picked up at 12:30 and she looked fabulous:  nails ground shorter, a shampoo with some perfume, a perfect trim with all the knots removed, and a nice shiny coat!  She even looked a little thinner!  It was worth the $52.  AND they hadn’t shaved her whiskers even though that’s supposedly standard grooming for Goldens (?).  That was what I was told the first time it happened with Nicki and I was horrified.  She didn’t even look like herself so I asked them to put a note in our file so they would never do it again.

Anyway, we’re home about 30 minutes and she’s rolling around in the yard trying to undo all the work I had just paid for.  Once she’s satisfied, she scratched to come in and her new odor hit me like a garbage truck.  She had rolled in poop and it was all over her collar, her neck, her ear, her everything.  I try hard to be good at picking it up but she keeps leaving new ones, often right after I put the shovel away.

I guess she didn’t like the perfume and wanted to smell a little more like “dog” again.  I did not want that so she got her second bath of the day- this time at home.  And for free.

second bath of the day
second bath of the day

 

Ruby Dooby Doo

I think Ruby is the best, not unlike every other dog owner.  She is sweet and loving even if it’s a little too much for some.  I have spoiled her with kisses, water toys, and special names such as Precious, Little Lovey-Tu-Tu, or Pootyliscious  (by the way, she answers to all of them).  I did this purposefully because Nicki was so independent that she barely tolerated petting.  I learned recently that others have a different name for her- The Rubinator!  I’m horrified.  No one wants their Honey Bunny Boo Boo Boo  to be nicknamed The Rubinator.  Do they?  Ruby Love Button can’t help it that she gets sooo excited to greet people that she overpowers them a little.  She can’t help it that she’s touching you ALL the time- like velcro.   It’s natural for Spiffy to want you to rub her belly and she makes it easy for you.  What’s wrong with that?

Ready

Even Dr Flynn calls her Girlie Girl or Girlfriend!  The Rubinator, really?

 

With interest

Several years ago I left 2 twenty dollar bills on the counter for my cleaning lady.  The next day, after she cleaned, she called me to say that I had forgotten to leave money for her.  I insisted that I had left it on the counter for her and she insisted that it was not there.

I trusted my cleaning lady but I was also 100% certain that I had left the money for her.  The only thing I could figure was that Nicki (Ruby’s predecessor) had somehow gotten it off the counter and eaten it.  At 2 years old, she was a pretty large dog and I knew she was able to reach things on the counter.  I always tried to push stuff to the back, out of reach.  She must have stretched for it.

Anyway, I followed her around the yard for the next day or so determined to get the $40 back.  With gloves and a bucket ready, I just needed her to poop.  And, like clockwork, she did!  Well, not only did I get the 2 twenties but I also got 2 one dollar bills. ♥

I’ll never know where those 2 ones came from but Nicki gave me the 2 twenties back WITH interest.

I’m not expecting the same return from Ruby!

2 years

beauty

There are 79 days (yes, I am counting) until Ruby turns 2.  I’m beginning to see some of the puppy behavior take a back stage.  This is very good news and there are even some hints that she might outshine Nicki in a few areas!  I’m definitely not keeping a score card and I don’t want to jinx anything…  But doesn’t she look good here?

Of course, anything could happen till then.

 

The car

Ruby hates the car!  I’m sure it’s because the only places she goes are to the vet, to dog class, or to her spa!  Obviously, none of those things are fun for her.  Consequently she never hops right in to go.  Plus, we have a crate in the back of the car for her and that thing makes all kinds of noise!  By now she has gotten used to it banging over bumps (we live in a state where the roads are less than desirable due to the weather and heavy traffic) but she still needs a little coaxing- namely her leash- to get in.

Ruby’s brother, Murphy, loves the car.  My brother tells me he jumps right in every time the back is opened.  He doesn’t want to be left behind!

Murphy goingThat’s how Nicki was.  I remember one time some of my friends and I were having a yard sale.  At the end we were loading the cars with what was left so we could donate the stuff.  I was getting ready to go and we couldn’t find Nicki.  She had jumped into my friend’s mini van and settled right in.  She was going with her.  Wherever.  She didn’t even care.

It’s hot

I love the heat.  I love to garden or sit out back and read, even in the heat of the day.  Ruby’s all about the air conditioning but she likes to be where I am, so she comes outside too.  She tries to find shade and it’s so funny how she thinks she’s shaded as long as her face is.  She always finds a good spot:

relaxing
July 2015

 

Ruby’s predecessor, Nicki, did the same thing but she liked her whole body shaded:

Nicki
May 2013

When Nicki was younger she used to crawl under the car on the driveway for her shade: nicki

It would amaze me how she’d lay out there all day.  SHE was “the best dog ever”.  At least that’s how I choose to remember her!

Ruby has big shoes to fill.

I’m hopeful!