Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Great Shave

Every summer we get Duchess shaved down because her hair gets out of control. It is so thick and heavy that if we don't shave her, she gets overheated very easily and looks just plain miserable. I took her to the vet early yesterday morning and picked up a brand new dog in the evening. Just in case you don't know or remember what Duchess looked like, here's a refresher.


Crazy, right?! She is a mix between a great pyrenees and a sheepdog, so her hair is curly and very thick. I try to keep up with brushing her and do my best to comb out any mats, but at some point it is just too much to manage. Thankfully, we have a great local veterinarian who takes really good care of her each year. I am always amazed when they bring her out to me at the end of the day, and David was shocked when I brought Duchess home.

I put a scarf on her to make her a little more girly, but she didn't care for it!

After getting shaved, Duchess gets a good bath so she actually smells clean for the first time in a very long time! David and I spent a lot of time last night cuddling with her, petting her, and getting used to our new girl. She is still really scared of strangers and doesn't like to go anywhere, so when we brought her home she seemed so grateful to be back. It made me sad to think that maybe she thought we were getting rid of her, but I kept telling her over and over again that we would never leave her and she would always have a home with us. I don't think she'll ever be a "normal" dog, but I hope she knows how much we love her.


Those beautiful brown eyes still get me every time. 

~Tammy

Shared with The Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Old Time PartyTuesday Muse  

70 comments:

  1. What a beauty! How could you resist those eyes? I grew up with sheepdogs, we had two when I was growing up. It was always a major transformation when they sported their Summer 'dos!

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  2. Whoa looks like a different dog for sure.

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  3. Oh, she is so sweet! And she is beautiful long or short but I do love seeing her kind, gentle face. I worry, too, that my dogs will think I'm abandoning them at the vet or a kennel. Their happiness when they see me is incredible, for me, too!

    XO,
    Jane

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  4. It is amazing that this is the same darling dog. I wonder how they would ever cope without caring owners. She's in good hands.

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  5. wow....Duchess is beautiful!!!! And you can really say you have two dogs...wow! She is so lucky to have you in her life! Aren't animals great?.....until they steal your toothbrush...;)) Have a great day!!!!

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  6. Those brown eyes of her are gorgeous! And she looks like a brand new girl, too! I wish dogs could understand more of what we say to them. Willow wandered behind the woodpile on Monday, and got stuck between the wood and the side of our house. She was literally crying she was so terrified-and I just wished she understood that I was telling her I was going to get her out safe and sound:) I'm glad Duchess has you guys in her life:)

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  7. What a beautiful,kind face! I can only think that she is truly aware of your love for her. She was happy to be home for that reason!

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  8. She looks like a completely different dog except those big, beautiful brown eyes.
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  9. HOLY COW - she looks like a completely different dog! Wowza!

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  10. Oh my gosh those brown eyes got me too! She is adorable furry or not, she has such a kind and gentle face. Aww snuggles... woof

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  11. Wowzers! She really does look different -- amazing what a hair cut and bath can do! hehe!

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  12. ....and you're sure that you got the right dog back from the vet ??
    My goodness what a change of hair do!! Those are indeed some lovely brown eyes..... :)))))

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  13. She is BEAUTIFUL!!! short or long :)

    what a difference it makes, I am in the process! of cutting and trimming Hannah's hair too, it is getting so thick and warm for her.

    wish me luck!

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  14. That is a transformation! What a lovely girl she is, and she does such a good job looking after your chooks. I had to take our cat to the vet this week for her shots, it's times like that I wish we lived closer to town than the 20 min drive with terrible noises and panting coming from the cat bax. But thankfully she forgave us once she was home again! S:)

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  15. Oh Tammy!! They gave you the wrong dog back!!! It is unbelievable the difference it makes having the long fur and the no fur!!! I do hope you save her fur??
    We did the same with Augie and I've been saving his spring hair cut lockets for the last 4 years. I'm going to take it to a local alpaca group that will process the fur into yarn. I know it'll be expensive, but I've been saving up!! I really need to show off Augie like you did!! He was panting there at the end and now he seems much more comfortable having all his fur removed!!! I love it though since he doesn't shed and he has to be shaved! I bet she loves the feeling - just like being naked :-}}

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  16. What a difference a haircut makes! Your dog is very cute with or without hair.

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  17. That's night and day, but like Linda said, she's a beauty either way. :)

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  18. Quite a transformation. Isn't she a lovely dog.

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  19. That is crazy! I would not have known it was the same dog.

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  20. Lol are you sure that's the same dog? ;-)

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  21. Wow! I think she looks great without all the hair
    and you know she probably feels soooooo much better
    without all that weight and with that clean bath they
    gave her! She looks beautiful but more importantly
    I'm sure she feels so much better, Corinne

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  22. Loved this Tammy. My two girls are so funny when they get shaved or trimmed and bathed. I think it's all an act ( their shaking and carrying on..) because they receive cheese during the process and I talk baby talk to them;) your pup is darling and I know she feels great having had the great shave and bath :)

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  23. Ah, what a wonderful story! Duchess is beautiful both ways (and I'm sure she's more comfortable shorn) but she is stunning with all that hair. We have a local dude who has a large standard poodle - with dreadlocks! You're lucky to have those gorgeous eyes looking at you every day!

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  24. Duchess is magnificent!!

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  25. Wow Duchess what a difference either way she is beautiful. B

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  26. Awww,, Duchess look so cute. She does have pretty eyes. We have our Goldie Girl shaved in the summer too. Cute photos!

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  27. She has such lovely kind eyes, what a difference :) I love her both ways!

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  28. HA! Are you sure that's even the same dog? I feel like this is a trick ;) Must feel good to get all cleaned up in the end!

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  29. She's beautiful either way, and so lucky to have a secure place in your hearts and home...as you are lucky to be owned by her. =)

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  30. My goodness! What a difference a haircut makes and what a beautiful dog!

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  31. Oh my goodness, just look at that sweet face. It made me sad to think she was afraid you'd leave her, poor dear thing. She's adorable with or without all the fur!

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  32. Ahhh.. the dear thing.. It is hard to believe that she is the same dog.. smile..

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  33. Wow! She doesn't even look close to the same. :) She looks like a very sweet girl. Thanks so much for the wonderful comments on my blog.

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  34. Those eyes are too much - meltin' the heart!

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  35. Wow! Now THAT'S a MAKEOVER!! :) She looks lovely!
    My parents have a big shaggy black dog that is guessed to be a Newfoundland mix.. he gets "hot spots" very easily.. I wish I could convince them to shave him for the summer, too!

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  36. By the way, the way you talk about Duchess, I have to wonder - was she a rescue dog at one time?
    Our own McGee was a rescue pup, an extremely handsome guy we like to call a Super Mutt. I love mixed breeds. "A dog need not be purebred to be pure of heart."

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  37. Are you SURE that's the same pooch? Oh my Gosh, the transformation! I'll bet all that hair keeps her mighty toasty in winter! Maybe you should knit yourself a sweater with it!

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  38. Wow - they look so very different! I love her with her fur.

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  39. Um, omg my gosh SERIOUSLY?? That CAN'T be the same dog!! That's amazing.

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  40. Oh my she's so pretty with or without her fur...was she a rescue dog may I ask.
    She is Loved that's for sure.

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  41. Wow! That's a ton of hair...I'll bet she can run faster now!

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  42. what a complete change - nice winter look and awesome summer look!

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  43. I wish you could see my eyeballs! I'm in shock it's the same dog!!! She's a love!

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  44. If it wasn't for those eyes, I would swear they switched dogs on you! What a difference and I'm sure she will be much happier in the warm weather!

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  45. Duchess is definitely a two for one dog. Astounding!

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  46. What a sweetie! I love that you are so caring and sensitive to her fears. She does have lovely brown eyes! She is a lucky dog to have you! xx

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  47. That face!!! She's beautiful! :)

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  48. Oh my goodness! At first I thought that was a photo of two different dogs! What an adorable dog!

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  49. Wow! What a difference a shave makes...she's definitely ready for summer!

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  50. Oh my gosh!! What a cutie! I thought our Rusty when through a change when we had him shaved last year, but his wasn't quite so dramatic!

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  51. WOWO what a transformation ... both looks are gorgeous ...great dog .DId you see our little hairless dog ( well almost) with our shaggy pony this post ? lol

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  52. What a sweet dog! She looks so different with her hair short, but cute either way!

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  53. Wow, I can't even believe that's the same dog! What a sweetie. She looks like she's fun to cuddle with!

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  54. Thank you kindly for boot scootin’ on over to the Old Time Party! I appreciate you!
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  55. Oh. My. The first picture she is definitely a sheepdog. The second picture she looks more like a yellow lab! I know what you mean about lots of hair and mats. We have an all black Newfoundland who is looking a little bedraggled right night. While we don't have him shaved, we do have his tummy hair cut short during the summer because otherwise he overheats.

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  56. She is so beautiful with all her fur and without her fur...love her eyes!!
    ~Cindy

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  57. What a difference, she looks like a lab with shorter hair. I'm sure she'll feel much better in the summer with shorter hair.

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  58. A makeover! You did well, she'll be cleaner and more comfy!

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  59. Oh my goodness. I love it. We have a Westie who is dire need of a shave herself. The difference isn't quite as drastic, but if we wait any longer....hehe
    Such a cutie Duchess is!

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  60. Oh my gosh! I can't believe that's the same dog!

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  61. Okay, where's Duchess? I think you are playing a trick on us. :)

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  62. OMG, she doesn't look like the same dog!

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  63. Duchess is a sweetheart. The difference between winter and summer is like trading her out for the seasons. In appearance only, I'm sure. She looks so huggable either way. Thanks for sharing.

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  64. WOW, she doesn't even look like the same dog. I love all that hair, but can't imagine taking care of it, especially on our little farm. I don't even like taking care of my own hair! : )

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  65. hard to believe that's the same dog!! We get our Golden Retriever shaved for the hot Missouri summers. But it's not quite that dramatic!
    Visiting from Tuesday Muse.

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  66. My goodness that was quite a transformation. I think Sheepdogs are so cool looking so I'm thinking I might have left just a little more of that wonderful curly fur but she is a beauty.

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  67. Oh Tammy, what a transformation for Duchess! She's beautiful with her coat on and with it off! :-) I totally know how you feel regarding taking her to the vet... Every time I get out the carrier, Bennett acts like I'm going to leave him somewhere and he'll never get to come home again. Breaks my heart to have him cling to me like I'm abandoning him! He's all the more grateful to come home again once we're done. Love your homestead! Someday, I may get there myself.

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  68. The performance of the blades was also a hit and miss with some of them being not as sharp as I would like it to. electric shaver reviews

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