We named him the WRONG name and a bath question

[Sara]

So Otis has been with us for 11 days. He is definitely mis-named. He should be named PIGPEN!

He only wants to be outside with Pete ( our outside/garage, older dog). So much so that he sits by the French doors and cries to be let out. Constantly. And I thought he was SO smart for telling me when he needed to potty! Nope--he wants to run with Pete and behave like, well, a BEAST.

So, sure, it's only 30-something degrees most days here. And sure, there's mud EVERYWHERE! And sure, he's FILTHY. (Insert my crying here). And I cannot understand why he prefers muddy, stinky, COLD Pete over us? Grrrr.

He's had two baths (including one last night). And he's a mud-ball again. And the leaves he rolls in stick into his muddy fur. And he stinks. And I just feel like my life of being proud of my very clean home is over. :(

So....can I wash him again tonight? I use doggy conditioner on him after the doggy shampoo....I'm hoping that helps with moisturizing his skin.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
The mama of the stinky, gross, muddy pig that used to be a cute snuggly puppy

[Sara]

Oh holy cow! I just choked on my iced tea watching that! Lol. Too funny! Thanks for sharing!

[Katie]

Sara, thank you for giving Pete the best life he can manage. Sometimes life just sucks. People who are damaged beyond repair are not easy to live with. We must accept them on their terms and this can be hard. We want to rescue them, bring them in from the cold....and it is not always possible. But we can love them and accept them as they are. I assume ( I have more experience with people than dogs) that dogs are similar...with the proviso they can not talk about it (actually nor can damaged people sometimes).

It could not have been an easy journey, and you must have felt like giving up sometimes, but you hung on in there and gave Pete a home he could rely on. You have my utmost respect.

Katie.

[Gail and Bailey]

Katie, Your response to Sara is perfect. Thank you for the insightful perspective!

Sara, Your little Otis/Pigpen is adorable! I understand the need to do a daily wash as my doodle, given the opportunity, will find anything gross and roll in it (dead worms being her favorite). Sometimes just a good rinse with the shower hose attachment will work and no shampoo is needed. Looking forward to more photos of the little guy!

[Sara]

Thank you Katie and Gail! I obviously don't think all that much anymore about our struggles with Pete--it just is what it is. He doesn't have a lot of "fans" in our group of family/friends considering his very surly personality, but we understand him and love him and wouldn't trade him for a champion show dog! ;)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

If there was a "like" button, I would have just hit it.  

[Stephanie and Ragley]

The shampoo I use is soapless so no worry about drying out. It is Tropiclean and I highly recommend it

[Wendy and Myla]

I've read good things about Tropiclean - do you use the "berry deep clean" ?

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I use the Kava

[Wendy and Myla]

So, does the Kava clean or just deodorize - when I look at the website it sounds like you spray it on and it smells good?  Do you use the Kava in between baths or as a bath?  I'm confused.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

It's a shampoo :)

http://www.chewy.com/cat/tropiclean-kava-color-enhance/dp/40547

[Wendy and Myla]

Thanks - I went on the website and didn't look at the "color enhance" - I just went to the "Peach Kava". I am going to buy this!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

You will not be disappointed! It's all I use for regular grooming!