Wednesday, November 29, 2006

The Checklist

We are now enforcing the checklist anytime Pappy comes in from our back-yard-turned-mud-pit:

  1. Has it rained in the past two days?
  2. Is it morning, and was there a heavy dew?
  3. Was Pappy running around vigorously?
  4. Was he tromping around the back beds?
  5. Is he hiding a muddy ball under that moustache?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, out comes the terrible towel for a thorough Pappy footrub and wipedown. This is intended to protect the light beige (ecru, really) berber carpeting that seemed like such a great choice before we had a dog. Sadly, the checklist failed us the other night. Our dinner guest found the wacky pawprints all over the living room carpet to be a charming view into our domestic life, but my wife was doing a slow burn.

10 comments:

Grouchy Karen said...

this blog post just made me make the weirdest coo-ing noises.

Buster the Wired Fox Terror said...

Mud is part of a dog's job.

Bussie Kissies
Buster

FleasGang said...

We also do the checklist thing. Sometimes its hard to get all 12 feet wiped clean though. It's not uncommon to have paw-patterned sofa cushions and bed comforter.:-(

Gus said...

We are considering stripping all carpeting and buffing the concrete. Absent spousal approval for that, we will probably tile the rest of the house, and strap a swifter wet jet to Travis' tail.

gussie's muzzer
with the terrible trio

Nat said...

Karen, can't get to your profile... are you a pigeon?

Buster, Too true, at least obliviousness to mud is in the Terms of Reference.

Fleasgang, you have my sympathies. We've tried to do eight feet more than once, and there just aren't enough hands to be had.


Gus, I think I have your solution. Pounded dirt. Suddenly housebreaking becomes less of a problem too.

Ayatollah Mugsy said...

Paw prints add character to a room.

3dogcache said...

Ahh, the rain, the mud...the hose. But we too keep those terrible towel(s) stacked on the radiator in the foyer for those rainy days. And like Fleasgang, we have 12 feet to dry off. Keeping everyone out of the rain, but not exactly IN the house is a fine balancing act - one that doesn't always prove successful. So if there are a few stray paw prints here or there, we just take it in stride --- hahahahahaha.

3dogs

Olive Branch said...

I want Pappy's cousin Polly! Thanks for stopping by...yes, only one more day! Who knew blogging could be so taxing. And yes, the DC Metro can sometimes lack character...except the passengers on the Red line late nights on the weekend.

Tin Tin Blogdog said...

I don't see any problem with well-placed mud.

The newly decorated carpet could become the next Pappy (paw)print limited edition.

Chow for now,

Tin Tin xo

Nat said...

Tin Tin and Holy One,
A quick survey of the internet reveals very little pawprint merchandise, and no carpeting. Perhaps there is a niche here.

Elainers, one more day to go.

3Dog, the "hahahahaha" makes me think of my days back at the insane asylum. Good times.