

by Anjie Coates
Photo by Anjie Coates
Photo by Anjie Coates

- Beethoven: “Anjie! I’m here! Come get me!”
- I hear him screaming and run into the front room where he leaps at me and I scoop him into my arms.
“Hi, buddy. I missed you,” I say as I kiss his head.
- Beethoven grins at me and smashes his head against my face: “More kisses!”
- “OK, one more, then let’s get you started,” I tell him.
After his bath, I put him on the table and begin to dry him.
- Beethoven: “I do love the drying.”
- “I know. You can lay down if you want to,” I say.
- Beethoven: “Oh good.” And he melts into a puddle of fur on the table with his legs stretched out beneath him.
- I roll him around the table like a meatball to get him dry and he falls asleep.
“Beethoven? Buddy? I have to stand you up for a minute to do a bit of trimming,” I say.
- Beethoven: “No standing, it’s spa day. Only massage.”
- “I did all that already, but I need to neaten up your underside and I can’t tell what fuzzies are hanging down if you’re laying down. I’ll be quick,” I tell him.
- Beethoven: “Fiiiine. But I’m only standing for a second.”
- “You have to give me a minute,” I say.
- Beethoven: “It’ll cost you.”
- “One smooch?” I ask.
- Beethoven: “Four smooches.”
- “Two smooches and a pat on the head,” I bargain.
- Beethoven: “Three smooches and a chest rub.”
- “OK, fine. Stand up,” I agree.
- Beethoven stands and gives me the side eye: “Well?”
- “You get smooches when I’m done,” I tell him.
- Beethoven: “Don’t forget.”
- “In all these years, what is it, eleven now? Have I ever once forgotten your smooches?” I ask.
- Beethoven: “No, but you might this time. Just saying.”
- I trim up what’s necessary and then pay him his earned smooches.
- Beethoven: “Let’s go get my picture taken. Where am I going today?”
- Paris,” I tell him.
I carry him into the picture room where I offer him a few different berets and costumes and he finally chooses the one he likes the best.
- Beethoven: “This will cost you.”
- “I’m aware. What’ll it be?” I ask.
- Beethoven: “Two smooches and a hug.”
- To which I answer,