Good Grooming for Dogs and Cats

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. This is Bear (the inspiration for Elizabeth's Ursa) as she usually looks --a wet and muddy undercarriage and bits of nature clinging to her fur. Very soon she'll be getting her summer haircut -- I usually just work at it over a period of days with our hair cutting scissors but last year I invested in an electric clipper.

It still takes a while but the result will be an attractive summer-weight Bear with all the interesting dreadlocks gone.

Eddie gets the occasional dreadlock himself, usually back on his hind quarters but one approaches him with scissors at one's own peril. And electric clippers?

Fugedaboutit.

He will, however, allow the dogs a certain latitude.













Though he rarely washes himself, Eddie loves to lick the dogs' faces, hoping that they will return the favor.

Here, Eddie cleans Jack's face while Bear grooms Eddie.

Maggie looks away, wondering why we allow so many uncouth dogs om the bed.

.

Bear is the only dog that will actually bathe Eddie. She probably mistakes him for her own.

The idea of cat fur in his mouth is appalling to William. He's not thrilled at the idea of being licked by a cat larger than himself either.

Maybe he's worried Eddie's just tasting -- with a view to eventual consumption.