"The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.” ~ Frederick the Great, 1712-1786, Frederick II was the monarch of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786. He was the last Hohenzollern monarch titled King in Prussia, declaring himself King of Prussia after annexing Royal Prussia from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1772.

Today is another day in the neighborhood and I bid you welcome to my world on this Wednesday, August 20, 2025.  It is groomer day for Lil Miss Biscuit. Groomer day by popular demand. The wife wants her trimmed up, the vet does too. Do what? I like her to be on the shaggy side like maybe she would be if she wasn't an inside dog. The dogs I grew up with never even heard the word groomer. I suppose they groomed themselves by wallowing in a nice area of dirt somewhere. I laugh to think Paw Paw Mac would have ever uttered, "Son, I think we need to get that hair out of that dog's eyes." When I was at the Vet the other day she politely asked this question, "I suppose keeping her shaggy like this is a choice?" What was I supposed to say, maybe, "She's in the witness protection program and I'm trying to disguise her appearance." I told the vet that was how I like it to which she replied, "Oh, I see." Her claws, that's right. She has claws. I know her genetics must be a mess because a mountain lion couldn't do as much damage as she can with her claws. The groomer guy, he clips them and he grinds them too. Yet, our 87 year old neighbor who came over and just had to hold Lil Miss Biscuit. She put a blanket over her and said she thought that would protect her. Not even close. Biscuit who is hyper and rambunctious got so excited she unintentionally scraped the neighbor's arm and it was bleeding. A lot. The wife too her to the urgent care and they wrapped it up. Now Lil Miss Biscuit is on the police watch list. Not really. The neighbor is fine and she still super loves Biscuit, our 12 pound mutt. (She is one of those people that all animals including wild animals love her and she loves them back.) So, I take her in this morning. "Sir, I need to see her rabies paperwork so I can update it in the system." I gave them the paperwork. "Anything new for this visit?" Yep. Give her some trimming since the whole world has voted and it is now time to get that hair out of her eyes!

 

I find it hard to believe what the cost of pet grooming is in today's world but I will tell you this: It ain't cheap. Those who track this industry tell us it is a worldwide market of $6.5 billion with 40% of that amount spent in North America. When they get through with Biscuit it will be around $100. Oh well, the bottom line is this: Biscuit loves us and we love her back. One of the things I love must about Lil Miss Biscuit, she makes me laugh. She does. I think she knows she does but since I'm a charter member of the senility club you might want to take my thoughts about it with a grain of salt. (The phrase "with a grain of salt" originates from a Roman concept and first appeared in the writings of Pliny the Elder around 77 AD. Pliny described a recipe for an antidote to poison that included a grain of salt. This led to the idea that any threat involving poison could be taken "with a grain of salt," meaning with caution or less seriously.) Now you know. I think that's enough for today. Have a good one and be reminded that God cares and He is working all things for good to those love Him and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Until next time, may God add His blessings. Amen.