It was a cooler day than it had been (only in the mid 80s) and Ray and I had just finished our three mile loop. A car slowed on the street in front of us. It was Deborah, Halle's grandma (we miss Halle). We chatted very briefly, then Deborah said "I gotta move. I'll see you at the house."
She drove off, Ray and I turned up the street and headed after her.
When we got to her house, Deborah handed me three little bottles; one a dog shampoo, one a dog cream rinse, and one an 'herbal doggy spritzer.'
"Sam (Halle's mom), didn't want these when she left," said Deborah. "Try the spritzer on Ray's hot spot. It has lavender oil as one of the main ingredients. My friend that runs the Rocky Ridge Refuge says that she uses lavender oil on her animals and has good luck with it."
I took the little bottles and thanked Deborah. I was ready to try anything to get Ray to leave his hot spot alone.
When we got home, I prepared Ray's bathing area - a hose run from the sink in the laundry room to the driveway out front (I've been craving Fritos lately so I know it's time for a bath). I have found that if the water is warm, Ray tolerates being bathed very well. He actually kind of seems to enjoy it (as long as the water stays off of his face). So Ray was bathed in a delicious-smelling concoction of herbs and then had his hot spot sprayed liberally with the lovely-smelling herbal spritzer.
For the rest of the day, I kept a close eye on Ray. Only twice during the whole day did I see him go for his spot. Each time, I reapplied the spray. Each time, the behavior instantly stopped.
I thought maybe Ray didn't like the smell of the spray (it smells pretty darn good to me), but he sleeps curled up with his nose right next to the spot so I guess that isn't the case. Then I thought maybe he didn't like the taste, but Ray doesn't even lick it to taste it. So my only other theory is, it must feel good.
Today we'll see if Ray decides to engage in his favorite pastime - proving me wrong, but for now I think this stuff is one of the seven wonders of the world.
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Oh good! Sounds like a stress free way to get him to leave monkey butt alone and smell good at the same time. Hopefully long enough for it to heal.
ReplyDeleteI have very high hopes. I have reapplied the spray twice today and each time got the same reaction as yesterday. It's the miracle monkey-butt spray! And my house smells great. It's like having a mobile air-freshener in the house. Wherever Ray goes, the smell of lavender follows.
Deletehahaha.....actually I use lavender oil on burns its really soothing...so perhaps it is having the same effect, and I love the idea of a mobile doggy air-freshener ;-)
ReplyDeleteI planted a lavender plant in a pot on our deck and every time Roxy walks by she smells
ReplyDeleteit. I have heard that the oil is calming for dogs (cats too?)
All I know is, since Ray walks around the house smelling lavender-y good, the cats have been coming downstairs more. Everyone is happy.
DeleteNext stop Ray attracting the ladies (even more)
ReplyDeleteI'll tell him that after-shave is supposed to go behind his ears - not on his behind.
Delete