When Fur Flies: What it’s like when my dogs have their spring blow out

It’s that time of year again: flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and dog fur tumbleweeds are collecting throughout my home. 

Springtime is when Lilah and Jasper blow their coats. Actually, it’s more like a furstorm—one that creates dust bunnies that are more like dust buffalo. No matter how much I sweep or vacuum, my floors look like I’ve never touched a broom in my life, and I am reminded why they call it fur-niture. (That’s why, right?)

The only way to keep ahead of the fur-nami is to brush my dogs every day, which is always my goal, but not necessarily completed. It’s a task best done outside, because the fur actually flies, and I’d rather it drift into the branches of my arborvitae than get caught in the corners of my bookcase (true story). 

Problem is, it’s been raining nearly every day for seventy-zillion days (rough estimate) and neither I nor the dogs have expressed interest in brushing in the rain. (Singing, yes. Splashing, maybe. Potty, under duress. But brushing: nope.)

It was finally warm enough and dry enough to gain control of this hairy situation, so this weekend, I brought out our basket of brushes and began.

After an hour or so, Lilah looked a lot better, with some of her undercoat removed (there’s a lot more to go.)

Lilah, surrounded by fur from her and Jasper.

Lilah, surrounded by fur from her and Jasper.

As for Jasper, he didn’t really look that untidy at first, until I started brushing, and then there was fur everywhere. Ev. Ry. Where. 

With every stroke, gobs of fur come off of Jasper

With every stroke, gobs of fur come off of Jasper.

Every stroke of the brush resulted in floating furballs and hair in the air. 

Some always winds up in my mouth—usually more than a simple plthpbt will remove. (There is no word in the English language that properly connotes the sound and action of trying to remove fur from your mouth without using your fingers. There should be, and plthpbt is my onomatopoeiac attempt at addressing that lack.)

Jasper stands among his furballs (and some of Lilah's).

Jasper stands among his furballs (and some of Lilah’s).

Both Jasper and Lilah like being brushed. They are rewarded with treats for standing still and being patient.

Tucker on the other paw, finds a way to slink off, keeping a safe distance between him and potential grooming tools. It doesn’t really matter because Tucker rarely sheds; a quick once-over with a gentle brush and he’s done. (Though I’m sure it’s still a torture that is only a shade worse than getting his paws wiped.)

Tucker and his ball, Lilah in the background, with the entire amount of fur I got when I groomed him.

Tucker with the fur I brushed out of him: smaller than his ever-present ball. Lilah is in the background thinking, “I wish.”

When all is said and done and plthpbt, the dogs look better, my deck is decorated with furballs (and maple tree seeds), and there’s about a dog’s worth of Jasper and Lilah floating in the air. 

Until tomorrow, when we’ll do it all again.

Jasper is looking for more treats. Maybe we’ll brush again tomorrow?

What is it like when you groom your pets?

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8 Comments on "When Fur Flies: What it’s like when my dogs have their spring blow out"

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  1. Sandy Weinstein says:

    that is the only bad part abt having, dogs with fluffy hair, or smooth coated. i have min. schnauzers and their bad part is the time it takes to groom them, and get their feathers right. i used to strip them but since i dont show it is too time consuming.

  2. There’s a lot of material for the birds to build those nests!

  3. Valentine says:

    Well they sure look ready for a summer paw-ty! When Mom brushes the Basset she does it outside and then I see the fur clumps stick to the bushes. She thinks the birdies might use it in their nests as insulation. But if I were a birdie I don’t think I’d want my nest to smell like a doggie, but then maybe birdies don’t have a sense of smell. Tee hee hee. Winks.

    • I do think the birdies use the fur to line their nests. I saw a titmouse grab some strands of fur off the deck so I’m guessing they are somehow able to get past the “It smells like dog” issue.

  4. Lisa says:

    I can totally relate! I have a Golden Retriever and need to brush her nearly every day. The fur just keeps coming. really love the way you write, it’s totally hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh!

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