Yesterday was a day of puppy pampering at our house. We have four dogs – Mikey, who is a Great Dane, and weighs about 160 pounds, Maxie (aka Mostifi) – a Golden Retriever, Ginghy – a crazy Husky (aka Dinghy, LTPAP, which stands for Little Tiny Punk-Ass Puppy) and Bailey (aka Tornabean), who is our rescue dog – he is said to be a Great Dane/Pit Bull mix. They really needed baths, and they needed their nails clipped. This is always a huge undertaking, because of their size and sheer number. I can’t afford to take them to the groomers – way too expensive. But I do take them to the groomers to clip their nails, because not one of them will allow me to clip their nails, but they will stand oh so nicely for the groomer ladies and let them clip and grind, and pretty much do anything to them.

So – off to the groomers we went. My husband took Maxie and Baily in his car, I took Mikey and Gingy in my car. When we arrived at the groomers, we pretty much filled up the waiting room. The boys were all so good, but Bailey was intent on saying Hello to the resident Kitties, however, the Kitties really didn’t want to talk to him.

After having their nails done, I decided we might as well just continue this day of puppy pampering. Normally, I bathe them out on the back patio, with the hose, but it is too cold to do that right now (well, cold for us, here in California). I had heard the newly opened Tractor Supply store, had a Pet Washing Station. For $9.99 per dog, they provide shampoo, conditioner, towels, and dryers. When I had called them the day before, they promised me their baths could handle Great Danes. They also informed me, I couldn’t make an appointment, it was first come, first serve.

This time, we packed the puppies into my car, and into my son’s car, and went to the Tractor Supply store. With our puppy pack, we marched into the store and announced we were there to get baths. We were informed we would have to wait in line, because there were two dogs ahead of us. The people in the store, said “Just hang out, do some shopping.” We spent the next hour walking up and down the aisles in the store. The dogs thought this was great!

Finally, it was our turn to go into the Pet Washing Station. It is an enclosed room, which was really nice, because it allowed us to bathe two dogs, while the other two just hung about. The baths are elevated, they are like those walk-in baths you see on TV. There were steps available, kind of like a little ramp, so the dogs can climb up into the bath, but we could not convince any of the dogs, this is what they should do. Luckily, my son is a bodybuilder, and simply picked the puppies up (like bags of potatoes), and placed them in the tubs.

The puppies smell so pretty now. The day of pampering really wore them out, and we all took afternoon naps. Thanks to the Tractor Supply store for providing this service! And the nice thing is, I didn’t have to break my back, using the hose out on the patio, the dogs – didn’t freeze, and I didn’t have to clean up dog hair, or wash a boatload of towels – and all for $9.99 a dog. What a deal!