New Summer Do

The weather has been so warm here in New Hampshire that it seemed the right time to give Henry his new summer do. This is a procedure fraught with wrestling, stern voices and much skittering around in the front entry that I close off to keep him from escaping. I use to take him to a groomer but these tough economic times forced me to buy my own clippers and experience the struggle first hand. Here he is with the new clip. I like to keep it a little long around his face so he doesn't look too ridiculous. He has a very long, thin snout.

After the clip comes the bath. I have found it easier to just take him into the shower with me. He hates showers about as much as he hates hair cuts. There is no struggling, just cowering. After a quick dry I let him loose to shake off and run away from me. He usually tries to find a sunny spot- even though it was 70 degrees! This is his "I want a new owner" face.

Now for the blow out!

Shaved Puppy

Before and after puppy shots.

It is that time of year when I start thinking about getting Henry clipped. After a long winter's worth of hair growth he starts displaying mats under his ears and on his elbows. Everyone asks why I don't just brush him.... well, he screams like I am poking him with pins if I try. So mostly I just ignore his hair until it starts posing a health risk (matted fur, skin issues, hot spots).

I decided to try clipping him myself, which wasn't as terrible as I predicted for either Henry or me. He struggled but not mightily. I did a decent job with only a few stripes of too closely shaved fur.

After he is clipped everyone says how skinny he is- which he was before too, just less noticeably so. People also notice his spots and freckles. I love that his little body feels like velvet after he is clipped.

I love my little guy in all his guises.

Inconclusive Voting

Well, the poll on my hair is inconclusive..... but this faboo photo of me by Julia Newman has helped me to come to a decision. This was taken this past summer in my short, short phase and I kinda' like it. Even though a friend tells me it screams "lesbian, lesbian." I think I am ready to fend off the advances. And, well, it isn't like I was fighting off the men when I had long hair so chances are nothing will come to pass. Besides, I am long past caring what my exterior appearances scream. If people want to know, they'll have to come talk to me.

Deep & Weighty Question

My hair goes up and down in length. This current haircut is bordering on the long side - for me.

I use to have long hair but the truth is that I am lazy and would just pull it back into a ponytail so that I looked like a camp counselor. The next stab at femininity and style was to get a bob. I hate hair in my eyes so I was constantly pulling at the bangs until I looked like Spanky from Our Gang.

So I finally took the plunge about 8 years ago and just got it all cut off. Less is more, although in my case, less is still a damn lot. My hair is VERY thick & course. If I don't tame it with "product" (I find that term hilarious. It means anything that you put into your hair, yet everyone knows what you are talking about) it would stick straight up like a porcupine. But it beats messing with brushes, combs, hairdryers, curling irons, etc. Some gunk, my fingers and 1/2 minute of time and I am good to go.

The length goes up and down depending on my mood. Sometimes I think I look too masculine and I grow it out a little. Sometimes I feel like being hard edged and city- sophisticated and I get it cut short. My boyfriend actually prefers it super short. He must be the only man in the world who doesn't prefer flowing tresses on the pillow case.

But, for the life of me, I can't figure out if this haircut is good or if it makes me look like a Q-tip. I am allowing you to help me decide with the help of a poll to the right.

Although you must understand that my solution to looking like a Q-tip is to cut it all off so that it is super short. Maybe I am just talking degrees of Q-tippiness here.