All Things Ellie Tuesday

 Today is a day we do something doesn't like and does like.  It is Ellie's "Spa Day."

On "Spa Day," Ellie gets her nails trimmed, her fur brushed out, a special brushing of her teeth and a massage. A small bowl of chicken nearby makes this all possible.  

I spread everything out on the table and have it ready before we begin, including the bowl of chopped chicken.  She gets a bite of chicken along the way to make the process easier.

I turn on some dog soothing music, and we begin.  First I brush out her fur, which she seems to almost enjoy.  Then I put her up in my lap at the table.  She has learned to prop her back feet on the sides of the table which I think makes her feel more secure.

With my tasks, I always like to do the least favorite thing first, and I use that protocol for Ellie, too.  So we start with the nail trimming.  She really tolerates this very well, considering how much she doesn't like it,  probably because we have done this since she was a tiny puppy. I use a nail grinder for this and I think it is the sound she doesn't like more than anything else.

After a few minutes, I give her a piece of chicken as a reward.  We continue in that manner until all nails on her front paws have been trimmed.  The nails on her back paws rarely need trimming. This part of our  "Spa Day" also includes a special cleaning and moisturizing of her feet and pads, which she definitely does not like.  Once her paws are done we move to her ears.  She actually likes this part.

Since beagles have long, hanging ears, it is easy for dirt to accumulate.  I use a baby wipe and clean deep in each ear.  She loves how I can reach - and scratch- parts of her ears she can't reach.

A new wipe is used to wipe down her face and her backside (in that order, of course.)

We finish with brushing her teeth and using a "mouthwash" for dogs that helps keep her teeth clean and healthy.

Then it is time for the massage.

I start with her neck, which she really likes.  The I massage her shoulder and she leans into me and really relaxes.  I go all the way down her front leg to her paw.  She doesn't like that as much as the shoulder, so I always finish with with a bit on the shoulder again.  Then I repeat on the other side.  

When we are done, she happily jumps down.  If there is any chicken left in the bowl, she gets the rest.

While she probably doesn't enjoy most of her "Spa Day," it is important those things be done.  That is one reason why I like to take some time rubbing her shoulders.  Plus, I love the way it feels when she really relaxes and her full weight is on me. I know she is trusting me and enjoying what I am doing.

It reminds me of our relationship with the Lord.  There are times He has to take us through some things we don't enjoy, even some things we really don't like.  But He does it for our ultimate good.  And I'm sure He especially loves it when He does something we like and we "lean into" Him, trusting Him fully.