The Small Dog changes her coat…

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Sue Vincent

By dawn I have the vacuum out,
By tea-time, its revolting,
I know the season’s on the change…
Because the dog is moulting.

She does this to me twice a year,
Though neither of us choose it,
She sheds her fur both high and low
And meanwhile, I just lose it.

There’s furballs rolling down the hall
And wafting through the air,
The bathroom’s coated with the stuff
Though she won’t go in there.

You wouldn’t think I clean at all
To see the furballs flying,
Though, honestly, I guarantee,
It’s not for want of trying.

I vac and sweep and use the mop
Or get down on my knees,
The small dog follows, shedding, says,
“It itches worse than fleas…”

She needs a decent grooming
But I’d have to run to catch her,
And with a dodgy back I know
At present, I can’t match her.

And so we wait for summer’s end
And for the moult to stop,
And though it isn’t any use
I sweep until I drop.

The small dog doesn’t care at all
Apart from getting itchy,
She seems to think when I complain
That I’m just being bitchy.

I tell her that for human-folk
That isn’t quite polite.
She scratches, looks me up and down
And says, “Then it’s just right.”

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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59 Responses to The Small Dog changes her coat…

  1. Dyanna says:
    September 26, 2019 at 06:11

    Well, Sue, I sympathize and empathize because I have two Huskies and it seems that they shed all year but not quite at the same time. My male sheds August – September, My Female September -October and they start over in late March-May. It is good that we love our dogs and have reliable sweepers. I vacuum at least 3 times a day every day. So my sympathy is with you and the Small Dog.

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  2. Audrey Driscoll says:
    September 26, 2019 at 06:15

    This sounds familiar. I have a BIG dog (Newfoundland). From May through August, I sweep parts of the house several times a day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Ritu says:
    September 26, 2019 at 06:26

    Hugs for both of you 🙃

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. writershilpa says:
    September 26, 2019 at 06:45

    I had a Labrador, so I can so understand your plight, although he did not shed as much as your little one seems to be shedding.
    But, I really enjoyed reading the poem…very amusing! ❤ And, I feel sorry for your back, for I know how it feels, bending all day long, cleaning, sweeping dog hair that just keeps appearing all over again!

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  5. Sadje says:
    September 26, 2019 at 07:31

    Poor you and her! Tough times.

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  6. jenanita01 says:
    September 26, 2019 at 08:49

    I miss having a doggy friend, but not when I remember the moulting! At least Merlin (our opinionated feline) keeps it down to a minimum!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. V.M.Sang says:
    September 26, 2019 at 10:31

    I, too, miss having a dog, but lifestyle doesn’t permit it at the moment. But I don’t miss the hair!
    Amusing poem.

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  9. beth says:
    September 26, 2019 at 10:57

    she is so dramatic in all she does

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  10. Denis1950 says:
    September 26, 2019 at 12:59

    That last photo says it all Ani, bring it on

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  11. Alethea Kehas says:
    September 26, 2019 at 13:36

    At least she’s cute 🙂

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  12. pensitivity101 says:
    September 26, 2019 at 13:40

    Great last picture Sue, looks like she’s laughing!
    I know exactly where you’re coming from. Maggie throws her coat twice a year and I’m convinced we have another dog somewhere, yet she has no bald patches. One shake, and we’re back where we started!

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  13. Victoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler) says:
    September 26, 2019 at 14:11

    Haha! Love this!

    My two aren’t quite as bad as Ani is for moulting. Lilie hardly sheds at all, regardless of the time of year. Logan sheds a bit more than Lilie, but nothing like Ani is doing.

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  14. -Eugenia says:
    September 26, 2019 at 14:42

    Awww, look at that sweet face!

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  15. D. Wallace Peach says:
    September 26, 2019 at 15:35

    A yearly molt in most households with dogs, Sue. With my dogs, it’s all year long! *Sigh* I love the “laughing” photo at the end. A fun poem.

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  16. Alli Templeton says:
    September 26, 2019 at 20:31

    Brilliant! Great poem, Sue, and a great ending! With two cats now and in the past having had 11 of them at once, I know all about moulting! I’m sure Beowulf and Grendel moult all year round. Your poems about Ani always lift my day. 🙂

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  17. Widdershins says:
    September 26, 2019 at 21:51

    If only they’d stand still long enough to vacuum them! 🙂

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  18. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    September 27, 2019 at 00:59

    The two Scotties don’t shed, though they do get really dirty and eventually matt. But the Duke? OMG. it’s hairball central!

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  19. OIKOS™-Publishing says:
    September 27, 2019 at 01:15

    You both are a beautiful team. One unthinkable without the other. ;-)) Best wishes, Michael

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  20. Jennie says:
    September 27, 2019 at 12:57

    Well said, Sue! ❤️

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  21. robbiesinspiration says:
    October 1, 2019 at 06:03

    A great poem, Sue. Our cats are the same. They are malting now and there is hair everywhere.

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