Milou Takes a Bath
17 Feb 2006 — I know this is back-dated, but while going through Picasa (fab software for storing pictures) today, came across these photos from our recent trip back and couldn’t resist sharing them.
So the story goes… since my 老爸 tried to bathe Milou, their cat, 4/5 years ago and had battle scars to show for it, he’s never attempted it again. Somehow he has convinced himself that because Milou’s a housecat, he really doesn’t need a bath. But every year back, Milou’s looking grimier and grimier. Finally this trip home William and I decided this year’s the year that Milou gets a bath. Though after hearing all the horror stories from my 老爸, we made sure to leave the project till AFTER the ROM just in case any mishap should happen…
A few days before Chinese New Year, William finally mustered up the courage to do the deed. Based on his description, here’s a pictorial representation of how I think my 老爸 used to bathe Milou.
William’s plan is to go the other way. He wants to win Milou over by using the soft 爱的教育 method. All my dad had to say to him was “good luck”.
So here he is, the brave warrior, with his still-unsuspecting victim. So far so good… both are looking alive and well…
But 老爸’s not going to take the chance. He’s clipping Milou’s nails so that should William be mauled, the damage won’t be as bad…
L: The scene of the (potential) crime.
R: Billie looking pretty confident.
Here we go… there’s no escape now, for man and cat alike.
(CUE: score from Psycho’s shower scene)
Haiyah, but as it turns out, there was no drama at all! This 老爸, make Milou out to be some claw-wielding psycho slasher a la Freddy, when in fact he was so sweet he was better behaved than Bodhi when he gets a bath. Oh well, maybe Milou’s getting older and hence steadier, or perhaps my reiki energy kicked ass; maybe Billie’s 爱的教育 method worked wonders, or perhaps it was just his lucky day. In any case, we have one survivor and one squeaky clean cat.
The next step was to dry Milou. You’d think this was a simple task, but this is where it actually gets tricky.
We begin with one man doing the job.
Yes, brushing and blow-drying… hmm… Milou’s not looking too impressed…
Enters a second man. One to hold Milou and the hairdryer, another to brush him.
Considering he hasn’t had a bath for 4 years, it’s no wonder Milou’s got matted fur! And hence the delicate procedure of cutting them off without cutting him… no mean task when he’s fidgeting and squirming endlessly… At this point, Billie was singing lullabies to calm him down. See how 投入 he was? I’m sure he’ll make a good father some day…
Unfortunately Billie’s well-meaning efforts failed to stop Milou from twisting and turning.
Hence enter men number 3 and 4. Yes, if you count, you would see there are 7 hands in the picture. Amazing but true, it takes 4 persons to dry a cat! (And yes, Billie is still singing to Milou?!?)
And finally…
… one squeaky clean and dry cat. All in time for Chinese New Year!
As smoothly as this operation went, 老爸 says the next time Milou gets a bath is when Billie does it again. He remains a skeptic. Here’s a parting shot of Milou which my 老爸 emailed us recently:
Still looking good!