When we first got Comang his previous owners handed over all his grooming supplies (including an electric trimmer) and I was sure that we would be able to groom him ourselves.

Our first grooming experience was the stuff of legends. Fur flying everywhere. Sneeze attacks from the fine fur that refused to settle to the ground. J shouting "Be careful!" every time I got within an inch of Comang's manhood. Then...a blackout.

Yes, our neighborhood experienced a power outage midway through our first grooming session. What timing! Trying to locate a flashlight in the pitch black dark is never fun. Try doing that in the midst of a crazed dog grooming session. Needless to say, Comang got loose in the dark and we found his fur in every conceivable corner of the apartment for the next few months.

It was a sign. We called it a loss and decided to have Comang professionally groomed from then on.

Luckily, there is a fantastic dog groomer (they call themselves a "pet spa") just two blocks from our house. I love them, because not only do they have a top-notch groomer, they are a local business and I am always apt to support "the little guys" over the likes of Petsmart.

Comang loves it there too. He's quite girly and loves to be pampered, petted, and be made pretty. Everyone fawns over him at this groomer and they constantly tell me that he's one of the best-behaved dogs on their clientele list.

Since our monthly grooming session was today, I decided to take some "before" and "after" pictures...

Before. When it is time for a haircut, Comang tends to resemble an old drunk. Here he has some horrific bedhair from the nap I interrupted.

After. For about a week following his haircut, J and I call our dog "Pip." Pip the British schoolboy. Doesn't he look like a Pip, all prim and proper?

All he's missing are a waistcoat, a hat, and a walking stick!