May 30, 2007
Is That A Dog?
When I was a kid, we had a Springer Spaniel named Suzy. She was a terrific dog for a little girl and three rambunctious boys to play with, nay, the perfect dog. Especially for my youngest brother Doug who wandered off one day and Suzy tracked him down and nudged him back home. Once, while visiting our grand parents in New Orleans, Suzy was hit by a car. She pulled through and all four of us kids stayed near her broken body until we could get her to the vet, who announced to our joy that she would live. In 1954, when we moved to Germany, we gave Suzy to our milkman, who had always greeted Suzy with a nudge and a pat on the head. I imagine Suzy lived out her days joyfully romping in the country side of rural Georgia.
Over the years, we then had a number of dogs, purebreds, mutts and more than a few Heinz 57 varieties. All loved, all cared for and petted and ... well, you know that dogs are always part of the family.
Then while watching one of the many dog shows, I nearly gasped at the final choice of the judges for "Best of Show." Best of Show always seemed to me to be the dog that encompassed the qualities that have always marked "Man's Best Friend." Only, this time they chose:
THIS? This is a dog?
That reminds me of a joke:
An old hound dog is lolling around on his porch when two poodles approach him.
One snidely said, "My name is FiFi - that's spelled f-i-f-i."
The other poodle primly said, "My name is MiMi - that's spelled m-i-m-i."
The old hound dog rolls his eyes and says, "My name is Fido. That's p-h-y-d-e-a-u-x."
Posted by Oyster at May 30, 2007 08:21 AM
Poodles are great dogs. Smart. Loyal. Tireless. How people clip them is traditional. It's a reflection of the person, not the dog.
Posted by reddog at May 30, 2007 08:24 AM
If I were that dog, I would bite my owner for that haircut.
Posted by Woody at May 30, 2007 08:37 AM
Reddog, having had a toy poodle (puppy cut only) I have to agree... but the Standard's cut... well, like I said, a groomer's work of art.
I even understand why the cut... to keep certain parts warm when the dog was used in cold water, however, having said that, the monstrosity grooming on this pooch had to be a big part of the judges decision, not because - necessarily - the quality of the Dog, which is doubtless high.
Posted by GM at May 30, 2007 09:51 AM
BWAHAHAH THAT is no dog. No. No no...it's just wrong.
Posted by Raven at May 30, 2007 10:18 AM
THAT is what we call a 'sooner lap dog', sooner crap in your lap than in the yard...
Posted by TexasFred at May 30, 2007 12:49 PM
Is this a dog?
In German this looks rather like a "Klobürste"
or in English a "Toilet brush".
Please feel free to use it regularly, before it loses more hair!
And don´t let it anywhere near my German shephard, because he might use it as toilet paper.
Posted by Ush at May 30, 2007 01:58 PM
I have three basset hounds. What is shown in your picture is a rat with a bad hairdo.
:-P
BHG
Posted by Bald-Headed Geek at May 30, 2007 04:05 PM
Saw that?!?! in the Yahoo slide show or something and left it there!! Reminded me of too many of the women I've run into on the internet!
On second thought - the women I've been running into are from that crop of men pretending to be women?!?! Gets confusing out there!!
Raven's right - - No Dog - No way, no how!! How can humans degrade their loyal charges in such an un-natural way.
Posted by chrys at May 30, 2007 06:27 PM
Dad...let me remind you that this is a traditional HUNTING clip for the poodle.
Also, poodles are required to be in this clip for show. No lion clip, no show.
And just so you know, we kept Chrissy in a kennel clip, not a puppy clip.
Posted by Jennifer at May 30, 2007 06:50 PM
It's not the dog's fault. Give that one a coupla weeks on a farm and he'll be like the others.
If PETA would protest this stuff they might even get a few bucks out of me.
Posted by Assistant Village Idiot at May 30, 2007 07:27 PM
