Yesterday we took Rigby to the groomer for a much-needed haircut. Annie had gone with us to the groomer plenty of times, but this time she took an interest. “Mama, what we doing?” She asked. “Rigby is getting cleaned up!” I replied. “Oh…Rigby take a shower?” “Yes! And she’s going to get a haircut, just like Mama.” Annie nodded her head very seriously.
After we left the groomer I buckled Annie into her car seat, and that’s when she suddenly realized someone was missing. “Wait, Mama! Rigby!” I put the car in reverse while Annie yelled, “RIGBY! RIIIIGBY NOOOO!” As we drove away I explained that it was OK, we weren’t staying for Rigby’s shower and hair cut, but we’d be back soon to pick her up. This didn’t really please her. It was like a scene out of Not Without My Daughter.
I had a bunch of errands to run, and after each stop Annie would say, “Go get Rigby now?” I had to keep telling her, “No baby, not yet.” When we pulled up to our house she FLIPPED OUT. “Rigby! RIIIIIIGBY!” There were lots of tears. I was perplexed…she’d never reacted this way before.
In an attempt to chill her out, I asked Annie if she wanted to watch a Princess movie to take her mind off things. She sniffled, “No…want to watch doggie movie with Lady.” I put on “Lady and the Tramp” and when Lady came on the screen she said, “Just like Rigby…I love Rigby.” She was killing me.
After about an hour we got a call that Rigby was ready, so Mike went to pick her up. Annie and I were playing in her room when Rigby came barreling in. She jumped up and put her paws on Annie’s chest and licked her face.
“RIGBY! Oh, Rigby, so beautiful!”
I’ve never seen the two of them so happy to be with each other.
I’m sure that will change tomorrow.
TonyaM says:
Love that story! There’s nothing sweeter than the bond between a child and his or her dog. My brother and I grew up with a collie, and she was absolutely my sister. As I got older, I would get all dramatic and refuse to go on vacation if she couldn’t go. She always went.
MissyK says:
Oh how sweet. The love between a child & their puppy is just precious.
Heather G says:
Both my boys reacted in similar ways when we’d drop our dog of to be groomed. Oh it hurt to see them cry and be so scared we’d never see our dog again. They were always thrilled when she’d come running out to meet us. I love the bond kids can have with their dog!
Shan says:
Awww. How very sweet!!
TamaraL says:
Awwww!!! Rigby DOES look beautiful! Annie too!
Heather says:
Rigby looks lovely! I was a little disgusted by the adults in our house last night (myself included) when I looked at my very messy shizu/spitz that currently looks like a sheep dog. She need a grooming badly.
Marta says:
That is SUPER adorable.
Also reminds me that my dogs desperately need baths.
Pattie says:
So sweet. I think when our dogs are at the vet or being groomed all that Coraline really notices is how quiet the house is. For now, anyway.
oana79 says:
Oh, such a loving girl! They look very cute together!
Kristen says:
I’ll never forget dropping my dog off at the groomer with my son when he was Annie’s age. When our Cindy was finally ready to be picked up, she jumped in the car, and was also full of kisses. My sons response? “Where’s our other Cindy??” He insisted I got another dog!
Tammy M. says:
Heather,
I love how interactive Annie is with you now. Her mind is so active at this age. I have to tell you that this is near the age where my daughter started really noticing everything I did and what was on tv – which led to me finding a light days mini pad crunched like a bowtie in her winnie the pooh underwear at bathtime. (She’s a teen now and HATES that story – but it’s one of my favorites…of course!) You’re in for some treats with Annie, I can tell. Can wait to read about it all!
T.
Tammy M. says:
Oops – I mean I can’t wait to read about it all!
Annalisa says:
Nah, they love each other. We’re fortunate in that we have cats, so they hardly ever go anywhere (the vet, but our kid is too young to notice, and having two means there’s always at least one kitty to keep her busy), but we’ve noticed they spy for each other.
What’s funny is that the one cat who’s gotten more attached to my daughter will give me long looks and stare at the door for a long time if I drop the baby off at daycare and come back home by myself. It’s almost like he’s puzzling it out. “Where’s the tiny creature? Isn’t she supposed to be with you? Is she outside the door? Where did she go, mom?” (the other one is usually relieved instead, because she’s a little frightened of my daughter, and I don’t blame her for it).
Annalisa says:
Nah, they love each other. We’re fortunate in that we have cats, so they hardly ever go anywhere (the vet, but our kid is too young to notice, and having two means there’s always at least one kitty to keep her busy), but we’ve noticed they spy for each other.
What’s funny is that the one cat who’s gotten more attached to my daughter will give me long looks and stare at the door for a long time if I drop the baby off at daycare and come back home by myself. It’s almost like he’s puzzling it out. “Where’s the tiny creature? Isn’t she supposed to be with you? Is she outside the door? Where did she go, mom?” (the other one is usually relieved instead, because she’s a little frightened of my daughter, and I don’t blame her for it).
Annalisa says:
Nah, they love each other. We’re fortunate in that we have cats, so they hardly ever go anywhere (the vet, but our kid is too young to notice, and having two means there’s always at least one kitty to keep her busy), but we’ve noticed they spy for each other.
What’s funny is that the one cat who’s gotten more attached to my daughter will give me long looks and stare at the door for a long time if I drop the baby off at daycare and come back home by myself. It’s almost like he’s puzzling it out. “Where’s the tiny creature? Isn’t she supposed to be with you? Is she outside the door? Where did she go, mom?” (the other one is usually relieved instead, because she’s a little frightened of my daughter, and I don’t blame her for it).
Kelly says:
Oh, boy. I totally understand this. Our puppy broke his leg two weeks ago, and had to have surgery to fix it. He was gone from home for about 2 1/2 days.
Not only was Mea perpetually concerned with where her little Frankie was, but our other dog was searching everywhere for him as well. All through the house, through the backyard, everywhere he went he was looking for his little buddy.
Auntie_M says:
“It was like a scene out of Not Without My Daughter.” OMG! LOL!!! Literally!!!
Poor little Annie!!! How traumatic!! But the joy of reunion! How blessedly sweet is that? And doesn’t Rigby look beautiful???
Maybe sometime you can arrange a special day when Annie gets to watch Rigby get groomed (or at least part of it–if they do that whole squeezing out of those rear glands, *gag*, you might want to go get ice cream while they finish up) just so Annie knows what it takes for Rigby to look so beautiful.
Jeanie says:
That is such a sweet story, and Rigby looks beautiful. I can just smell her! They smell so good after coming home from the groomer, don’t they? I was out shopping yesterday and saw a lady with a teensy Yorkie in her cart. The dog kept putting his paw out towards me, and I asked the lady if that meant he wanted to be picked up. It did, and she let me hold him. I said, it’s like lifting up air. What does he weigh, two pounds? She said he weighs three. Three pounds! Oh, he was a cutie.