Another sign of spring is when the farmers and ranchers up here on the mountain dig fresh trenches from the acequias (irrigation ditches dug by the Spanish colonists in the 1700s that comb these old villages) to their various fields. Much as I often wish it was otherwise, Kelee adores few things more than to take a dip in the fresh, running water that courses through them. It’s hard to object, his joy is so full-blown. But as we continue our walk, his dense, wet fur gets coated in dirt, of course, which turns to mud. No matter what I do, there’s no getting him clean, so all that mud comes into the house with him. But I still can’t deny him. I’m adjusting to the fact that mud is ever present, every season, in these villages, except when we have snow. Until it melts that is.
Love to you all,
Jeane
So he keeps the mud on his lower stomach and legs then…wow you are LUCKY lol! He does get muddier than that on occasion I’ll bet huh? I remember lots of mud when spring was on its way when I was a young child…we spent time wandering in the fields and mountains in our youth. The old dry grass and sticks from past season mixed with the mud and new bits of grass coming up were messy and promising at the same time. Well worth having all over oneself for sure.
Actually, I guess I am lucky. He pretty much only gets muddy on his undercarriage. The very worst is the snow melt! It saturates the earth making a dense, sticky mud. Perhaps because he only has three feet, he really puts his weight on those paws. So, during snow melt, he comes in with his paws PACKED with great hunks of mud.
But, like you, I remember loving the mud as a kid–playing in mud puddles with Larry Campbell. Ah, what the dogs bring to mind. Bless them!
Do you have a way to hose him off before he comes in? It is an extra step to take, but here at the dog park they have a hose set up specifically to hose off very muddy dogs before they jump back in the car lol. Or if you had a large water container…like the bottom of a shower stall you could pour warm water in for him to lay down in? Winter would not work, but spring mud might:o). He would forgive you for it I am sure…that is if it was not to his liking…
I’ve pretty much cried “Uncle” with the mud. I only have 1 exterior
water valve and it’s in the kitty enclosure. I had a hose–actually 2
very long hoses–hooked up to it (which has broken and hasn’t been replaced). But the only time I tried to hose him off he FREAKED. A pool kind of set up would be very challenging–a very long way from any water source. I’d be carrying bucket after bucket. The mud wins! Am grateful for my cement studio floors on entry and no carpets throughout.