The Fur Was Flying......

Well, with pretty much every dog in the yard in the midst of a big shed, today was a grooming day!!
First up on the table was the most excellent X...

It didn't take long until we (X and I)were getting swallowed up by all the fur coming out of the boy!!!

About 2 or 3 times this amount of fur eventually came out and in the end he looked like this....

In about a week he will probably need another session on the grooming table, but it won't be near as bad as this time.

X was followed by Fritz, Utin, Beauty and Wonder before I deemed I had swallowed enough dog hair for the day and called it quits!

I'm frequently asked about what grooming tools I prefer. So, here ya go..

• My number one favorite tool is my Metro Air Force dryer. This one is almost 20 years old and has been pretty abused during that time, so it is looking pretty rough! I do have a newer one that lives in the garage that I take to dog shows. :) It'll get more coat out of a shedding dog then anything else!
  
  
• The blue and white rake is another 'around since we got into this game' tool. A plain and simple rake, but it has survived thousands of groomings!
• A good comb is invaluable for getting out a shedding coat too.
• And then nail clippers and a pair of scissors for trimming up those 'out of control' toe hairs!!!
  

I know many mushers 'poo poo' the whole grooming thing, but I think it is a great way to really give the dog a good 'health check'. I also think that any time you are handling and introducing your dogs to new experiences, you are making it so they are easier to work with in harness and on races! And I know they feel great after they are all groomed up!

I will also say that I think there is a matter of pride involved in keeping your dogs looking their best. I have pride in my team and my kennel and I want people to know that. I remember being at a seminar in Montana once where Hans Gatt was speaking. Amoung many other things, he talked about the importance of taking a clean truck to the starting line of a race. It really stuck with me. I now believe that pride and attention to detail is one of the habits that creates success.

Not to say that you will never find a shedding dog in my yard or dirt on my dog truck - life does have limits - but I try!

Anyway, enough of that!!

I did take some more photos around the yard today, including shots of a very pregnant Kara and Sprite, Bait tormenting the boys, Barq, Meg, wildflowers, flowers in my yard and more dogs.

You can see them all at http://picasaweb.google.com/northwapiti/June142008
Enjoy!!!
Karen