Tuesdays With Toby

Last month was a stressful one for Toby.

, we had three weekly visits to his vet in Friendship Heights. (To be fair, I think Toby is the only dog that actually enjoys going to the vet. He’s so peppy while we’re there and really seems to love his doctors).

Anyhow, we do our best to make the vet trips a fun experience. I put my iPod on speaker and blast Bryan Adams or Rod Stewart (two of Toby’s favorite singers!) all the way through Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase and into the little parking area below the vet’s office.

All of this is in an effort to soothe Toby (and Toby’s momma) and help him be comfortable despite whatever ridiculous ailment he may be dealing with.

After the last visit with Dr. Jeff Lavine, Toby seemed to be more stressed out that we were leaving the building. Weird dog.

So I am planning a retreat for him down at Paws of Enchantment in Mount Rainier. I wrote about the place when it first opened several years ago and think quite highly of groomer Cassandra Kraham. I’m thinking of getting Toby the mud bath and a carding/de-shedding treatment. Though a paw massage and the aromatherapy sound great too.

I have a massage therapist friend who used to take her cocker spaniel to get a rub down. I thought she was crazy at first, but after seeing a standard poodle get a warm bath with luxury shampoo and conditioner, I began to think maybe what’s good for master is good for mutt too.

Frankly speaking, Toby is just too much for me to handle in the bathtub anymore. He’s about 75 pounds and has a barrel the size of a beer keg at my southern family reunions. And, he loves to jump out of the tub with suds all over his coat.

After a romp over at the Heurich Dog Park, he suggests, instead of a home bath, that you take your pooch to Paws of Enchantment or All Dogs Club in College Park for the royal treatment.

And speaking of Heurich Dog Park, Toby and his friend Charlie are throwing a party for all the local hounds and their owners from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park. Everyone is invited to come out and meet the dogs and take home a doggie bag of treats and other fun stuff.