What A Difference Growing Up Makes

If you've been following this blog long enough you know that Bandit has never been super happy about toenail trimming.  I started out using kitty clippers when he was just a small puppy, graduating to regular dog clippers after while and which he absolutely abhorred.  To make things easier on him, for a longer while I used the "As Seen on TV" PediPaws filing system.  That went semi-okay until Bandit had a growth spurt and his nails became more adult-like and thicker.  PediPaws just doesn't do the job any longer, and the last few times I did use it it took forever to accomplish the task; plus, he always cringed and curled up on the floor when I turned it on and he knew what was in store for him.

For the last two months (maybe longer) I've gone completely back to regular dog nail trimmers.  Bandit and I have a routine now.  He doesn't quiver and shiver, and he doesn't shy away from the trimmers when I bring them out from the doggy box stored in our tiny kitchen pantry.  He readily jumps into the chair in the living room he shares with Simba and lies down in ready position.  I get all four paws done in less than 5 minutes!  As he only has a few toenails that are clear in color, I check those first to see how far back the nerve receded from the last trim.  That way I can get a better idea of how much I can trim away from all those black toenails of his.  I've been very careful and haven't cut any nerves, so that of course helps with his comfort level.

Today, he even let me get out a file and file away the rough sharp spots after trimming.  He even seemed to enjoy it and was staring into my eyes the entire time.

It's so nice to have gotten him to this point of taking it all in stride and not fearing the process.  For far too long it was a huge ordeal, and by the time the job was finished he'd always be panting away and all stressed out.  And I never felt too good myself about getting him all worked up.

Auntie Kathy's flight arrives at 11:58 p.m. tonight so Bandit's all spiffed up for meeting her for the first time.  Last night I gave him a tub bath, and K helped with towel drying him.  K even got out the hair dryer for a bit and Bandit didn't seem to mind too much.  He smells so good!  He smells like coconut and papaya!