Dear Dr. Forsythe,
I recently decided to groom my Labradoodle in order to save money. We got our dog to avoid allergies, but I didn’t realize how costly the constant bathing and grooming would be. The trouble was he wouldn’t hold still and I gave him a Mohawk in the process. Thank God the groomer fixed it, but I wanted you to remind other allergy sufferers to think twice before committing to a dog that needs constant grooming. Get a hairless cat!
Sincerely,
N.H.
Dear N.H.,
Thanks for reminding the readers! Yes – the downside of continuous growth breeds like Bichons, Poodles, Portuguese Water dogs, and all the designer “poo” dogs such as Labradoodles is the need for continued grooming/clipping. While it is a continued financial impact it’s so nice to have a beautifully maintained, clean pet. And most people feel cats and dogs are inherently very different animals, not interchangeable. James Gorman believes, “Cats are the ultimate narcissists. You can tell this because of all the time they spend on personal grooming. Dogs aren’t like this. A dog’s idea of personal grooming is to roll on a dead fish!”
Thanks for writing,
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe,
My son seems to think his snake “Longfellow” should be allowed to slither around the house. I feel this is irresponsible, especially since his Boa is almost six feet long. Last week he let Longfellow sleep overnight in his bed. I have had enough. Can’t these snakes spread dangerous germs in addition to biting if provoked?
From,
Upset Grade School Mom
Dear Mom,
Yes, snakes and other reptiles can harbor Salmonella bacteria and could bite if they were stepped on or rolled upon by an unsuspecting person. I would recommend keeping Longfellow in a secured enclosure and taking him to the safety of his enclosure. I do not recommend letting him slither freely—he could escape and cause fear and panic, as well as an unwanted visit from animal control if you need to report him missing. Sometimes parenting means setting firm boundaries with pets. Have your son keep the snake in his cage and wash his hands before and after handling. And no more sleeping with the serpent.
You seem like a cool mom.
Dr. F
