Angel Gets a Hair Cut

Angel is a Maltese. It's kinda hard for you to tell by the pictures alone, but he doesn't exactly fit the Maltese Standard.

Primarily Angel is too large for his breed. He should weigh no more than seven pounds. (Half a stone.) He actually weighs twenty pounds. (Almost one and a half stone.) He also should have pure white, straight hair that grows long and luxurious. While his hair is white there are light yellow patches mixed in it. It also isn't very straight. If we let it grom more than an inch it becomes curly, and is very prone to matting.

Angel historically HATES car rides. We started him off early with a few short trips here and there, but it was one trip in particular to Monterey that finally convinced him that car trips are for the birds. But, even though he hates to ride in the car, he will tolerate one now and again because he's that kind of guy. Angel understands that some things in life cannot be avoided, and he approaches those things stoically. He's a good boy.

Because he hates the ride, though, I hate making him go. So often, I wait longer than I should before taking him to get his hair cut. I really shouldn't make that a factor in taking him, I know. When his hair gets as long as you will see in the next couple of pictures, it drives him nuts. Imagine getting hair in your mouth each time you take a bite of food, or being forced to wear a thick fur coat for an afternoon walk in the sun, not to mention the diminished field of vision with all that hair in your face. Besides, Angel hates hippies, so looking like one is probably the ultimate insult.

Last week I made Angel an appointment to get his locks sheared, and late Saturday afternoon he, Jacqueline, and myself made the quick drive out to his groomer. Below are pictures before, and after his haircutting experience.

(Now, I know there are mobile groomers, and I know I could go that route to spare Angel the drive out to the groomer's, but Angel really isn't all THAT bad in the car. Besides, there is a groomer no more than two minutes from where we live. I will be making all future appointments with that groomer because they are nearby, and they also do a better job.)

Here’s Angel before the cut. Obviously. He reminds me of that dog in Disney’s old “Shaggy Dog” movie from the fifties. Here’s Angel after the cut. Again, obviously. He looks like a little sheep once he has had his haircut. If you asked him which style he prefers, I would bet the farm he would pick this one. Since these are the Adventures of Angel and Jacqueline, here’s a shot of the two of them. Jackie accompanied her brother to the groomer’s, and she spent the afternoon following her daddy around the house. I suppose she was a tad lonely what with Angel not there, so my company was better than nothing.

Check in next week for a new chapter in The Adventures of Angel and Jacqueline. And don't forget to check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for more interesting animals.

Posted by Jeff at February 10, 2006 6:50 AM