We had our fabulous team of groomers here on Saturday, bathing and clipping the dogs over at Widget's House. One of the dogs I wanted them to work on was Noodle the wobbly Collie mix, who has thick, wool-like hair that needs to be cleaned up often. But because Noodle can't really walk much, and she's too heavy to carry the entire way over to Widget's House (about 50 yards from our house), I decided to drive her over on the ATV.
One of the common sights out here in the Rocky Mountains is the rancher on his ATV, with the proverbial go-everywhere cow dog -- often a Border Collie -- perched behind the seat, going along for the ride and ready to round up cows on a moment's notice. As I carried Noodle out to the ATV, her eyes got bigger and bigger, as if she thought I had suddenly forgotten she was disabled and I was confusing her with, well, a working dog.
I pulled her onto the seat in front of me, wrapped an arm around her, and off we went. Any time we went faster than, oh, 2 miles per hour, she would turn and look at me nervously. I'd lean forward, she'd lick me on the face for reassurance, and then she'd go back to staring straight ahead with big eyes.
Her first ATV ride was a piece of cake compared to what awaited her at Widget's House. A bathtub, electric clippers, a hair dryer, and three determined ladies who were going to spiff her up whether she wanted it or not. Noodle was not exactly a happy customer, and when I went back to get her late in the afternoon, she gave me this "You betrayed me" look. (Seen that before.)
I carried her out to the ATV again, swung my leg over, plopped her on the seat, and off we went on the return trip. This time she was much more relaxed. (Anything's better than electric clippers, huh?) Alayne was waiting with the camera when we pulled up to the house. She got the photo above as I was getting ready to step off with Noodle under my arm.
Noodle was just relieved there weren't any cows involved.
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Widget is home! She came back on Saturday, and is now back to her usual bossy, boisterous self!
Awww, Noodle looks so pretty! She has definitely grown into a beautiful girl. I would have loved to see her face when she was on the ATV.
Posted by: Danielle | May 01, 2008 at 02:52 PM
what a beautiful girl you are noodle! welcome home widget! woo woo woo!!
Posted by: GiLe | March 18, 2008 at 01:53 AM
Noodle, you do look beautiful, sorry you didn't care for the treatment but that ride was pretty spiffy, huh? Next thing you know, you'll be steering!
Great to hear that Widget is back home where she belongs!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | March 17, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Welcome Home Miss Widget..we need an updated photo. Noodles is priceless
Posted by: gayle | March 17, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Noodle definitely looks like she wants to slither right off that seat!
I'm so glad Widget is back and in perfect form!
Posted by: Boundforglory | March 17, 2008 at 09:50 AM
What a way to travel, eh, Noodle?
Posted by: Kay Stemnock | March 17, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Noodle must be such a sweetheart...:-) Like most dogs, she hated being groomed, but she looks so pretty, doesn't she?
I'm overjoyed at hearing that Widget's back home! Please give her a big hug for, will you?
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 17, 2008 at 05:52 AM
Welcome home, Widget! You're a survivor, you are!
Poor Noodle must have thought you'd lost yours. :o)
Posted by: Vicki Small | March 17, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Oh Noodle...she's so cute! Love how her back legs are crossed as she's sitting on the seat next to you. Love the description of the ride to the groomers. Thanks for the cute blog. I'm so glad Widget is back at the Ranch and doing better. Woo woo woo!
Posted by: Sue H | March 16, 2008 at 11:49 PM
You are a beautiful girl Noodle!
Welcome home Widget.
Posted by: Brenda, Texarkana, TX | March 16, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Well, you can tell Noodle that she looks absolutely beautiful! She really is a very pretty dog - you are luck to have her and she is lucky to have you!
Posted by: Karen | March 16, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Yayyyy for the Widge!!! You go girl!
Posted by: Prose | March 16, 2008 at 10:55 PM
'Noddles fund'. ATV's for all the wobblers! :)
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | March 16, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Welcome home Widget!
...and...
Noodle you are a beautiful girl!
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | March 16, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Always the lady...notice the properly crossed legs.
Posted by: Mary Ellen | March 16, 2008 at 09:08 PM
What a celebrity. Noodle's Spa treatment and limo ride was first class!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | March 16, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Noodle, you look so pretty!
Glad to hear Widget is doing just fine!
Posted by: Nina | March 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Hey Noodle, you're the ral thing - what a price you beautiful girls have to pay, huh? And Widget, glad to hear you're back - rock on, girl!
Posted by: Lalla and Sasha | March 16, 2008 at 07:04 PM