happy birthday, mom!

What a hectic week! Especially today...

Friday was mom's birthday. Her coworkers brought her a pineapple upside down cake (which she did not share with me, I might add), and her gentleman friend even sent her roses! Sweetie, he is. He even took her to the Chart House for birthday dinner (which she didn't share either! hmph!). She's been so busy that I've had to spend a lot of time home alone the last few days, but she keeps saying that she "couldn't ask for a better dog," so I always stay on my best behavior when she's gone. Don't want her to change her mind and send me back to Lilly!

I did bring home an unexpected birthday gift though. She was really excited to sleep in today, but I know how many chores she needs to get done, and apparently the neighborhood fleas do too. Boy, did she get her butt in gear this morning when she found out! Washing laundry, changing the sheets, vacuuming the floors and couch, buying new combs and brushes for me, all kinds of stuff.  But most importantly: giving me a bath and making me pretty! (She didn't get in the tub with me this time)

Since I never got fleas in Virginia, my old mom rarely put any flea medication on me. We decided to try out the Kirkland brand stuff, which is supposed to be comparable to K9 Advantix. Have any of you used it before? Mom found some dead fleas in the bath, so we think it must have been working to some degree, but clearly not enough. I don't think the fleas would drown right away, would they? We shampooed with Isle of Dog for coarse coats. Also, there must be a major flea problem in Long Beach right now since both Target and Petco were sold out of flea combs.

This whole thing is a pretty new and exhausting experience for both of us. Mom doesn't think I could have had them for long, since we just had a bath last week, and there weren't a lot. She picked off maybe 20 total over the course of 14 hours, some of which were dead. I've been very patient, letting her roll me on my back while she checks my tummy, coming when she asks and all that stuff good girls do. Though I won't lie, I wasn't so happy to get wet.. I looked like a wet rat! At least she didn't take any pictures this time.

And here I thought my crate sleeping days were over. Hopefully they go away soon so I can sleep in the bed again. =[

We did learn a few valuable things... Frontline is far more affordable at Target than at Petco, and grooming tools are super significantly more affordable at Sally's Beauty Supply (but you probably already knew both of these things). We went to Sally's and picked up a human lice comb, detangling comb, massaging brush, and regular brush, all for what one plain brush would cost at the other stores. Woot!

Mom absolutely fawns over me after the bath. She says I look like I'm wearing go-go boots when my legs are all brushed and poofy. I'm her go-go woofer. =]

Side note... when we tried to edit some grammar mistakes in the last update about the bath on mom's phone, there was a problem and somehow lost all the content (derp). I'll try to repost it when I have time.

Here's hoping I wake up flea-free tomorrow. We'd greatly appreciate any advice you have to give on the matter.