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June 24, 2005
Giving the Cat a Bath
I don't know what I was thinking. Having only been home for three days, and wasting perhaps my only "honeymoon period", I have completed a spate of errands.
I renewed my driver's licence, took my car in for an emission test (I passed, and even wheedled my way out of the $270 late fee), and picked up Joana from the airport (Janie shrieked "Joana, Joana, Joana" all the way there, then refused to utter a peep once Joana actually arrived). I also managed to catch up on all my email, clean Janie's room, and unpack a drawer's worth of clothes (the rest are jam-packed with Janie's/Jess's/Mom's/Dad's stuff--the nerve of them).
But none of that compared with this morning's feat of bravery: giving Madchen a bath.
In just under an hour, I hauled this 18-pound heap of fur into the shower, shampooed her twice, rinsed her 3 times (I had to haul her back into the shower after I realized that her neck was still soapy), brushed out at least 2 pounds of fur, and blow-dried her. All of course, while Janie was cooing "don't worry, Madchen" and "it's okay, Madchen" and "Aunt Jen, why is Madchen crying?" every two seconds--which did not go far in calming down a near-hysterical cat who is already wary of the 4 year old.
I finally gave up with Madchen mostly dry. She and Janie escaped out of the bathroom and I have tried to avoid them ever since.
Luckily I only attempt this insane task once a year.
