Just like a toy!

Odd, don't you think, the ideas that humans have about the way us dogs should look.

Anyone who read the comments to my 'Male Grooming' post a couple of weeks ago will have seen that my canine blogging pals were one hundred percent in line with my thinking on this vexed issue, preferring the rugged natural appearance. 

Well, Gail (characteristically) decided to ignore the good advice of others, so last week I was subjected to what folks in these parts refer to as the 'Spring Trim', no matter that a few miles inland, it was snowing at the time. Brrrr and double brrrr. 

In response to this cruel treatment, humans without exception look at me, smile fondly and exclaim  "Ah, doesn't he look sweet, just like a toy!"

Let's be quite clear about this. Being compared to a toy is not in my book a compliment. It's wrong and hurtful on so many levels. Am I some dumb and inanimate object? A mere plaything? A Christmas present for a baby? How belittling.

So I'm not going to post the photo Gail took today. It would only encourage her think I'm proud of the new 'hairdo'. Which I'm not. In case you hadn't already realised.....

A trip to the hairdresser

I went for a haircut this week. See the photo below; don't I look nice and trim? I do much prefer having short hair - it's one trait I share with my owner Gail. Some people (who may be reading this), have in the past imputed that I'm a bit on the chubby side. And have even sniggered when Gail defends me saying "he's not fat he's just fluffy". It's a sensitive point. Well now that the fluff has all been cut off, you can judge for yourselves.


Trimming us Westies is quite a skilled matter. Not as complicated as poodles of course, but Gail's one disastrous attempt to do the job herself made it plain to everyone who saw me afterwards that some basic competence is required. And I've never seen Gail so flummoxed as when she first took me to the grooming parlour. Simple questions like "does he have a long skirt, a short skirt or the practical cut?" and "will I give his face a round or square shape?" left her uncharacteristically at a loss for words.

For the record, I have a VERY short skirt, and my face suits a round-shaped cut best.