I live in the country. I love living in the country. I love stepping out the door and having an empty, quiet field to walk in. To let the dogs run free in as I walk. It’s good for me. It’s good for them. It’s one of my top stress relievers. Watching the dogs run and enjoy themselves always puts a huge smile on my face.

But it isn’t all sunshine and roses.

Because lots of wild animals also run free there. And poop. And die. Leaving gross stuff for the dogs to roll in.

Dogs love poop – almost as they love dead stuff. They love sticking their noses in it, they LOVE rolling in it. And it takes them all of 30 seconds to find that poop. So that means we can step out for a quick potty run and one of the dogs finds poop, drops, rolls it and needs a bath.

Did I mention that this is gross?

I have become an expert at giving “head baths” (which involve the front quarter of the dog). A bucket of warm water, some shampoo, a small tupperware container and a towel. These baths take place outside (because who wants that in the house). I can give them in about four minutes. All the while the dog is standing there with a “what did I do wrong?!?” look on their face.

If I’m lucky, they won’t shake off on me. I’m usually not lucky….

Country life – ain’t it grand?!?

I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Seriously.