Keep Calm and Carry On

Hello, my name is Allison and I shave my Lab.

Technically or morally or whatever, Labs are not supposed to be shaved. Ever.

In fact, I've been informed that doing so constitutes animal abuse.
Because this is an abused dog.

I mean, clearly.

(And this is my new favorite photo, I think. His groomer always sends him off with a bandana, which some people think makes him look rather like a sissy, but I think it is adorable.)

"It will never grow back," they say. [It does.] "But it will never grow back the same," they say. [It does.] "Labs have a special waterproof coat and shaving even once destroys it," they say. [Nope.] "Why on earth would you shave a short-haired dog?" they finally sputter. Because Jack gets very hot. So hot, in fact, that he eschews his dog couch in favor of cool tile or my (wood) floors - neither of which is good for his joints or elbows. When he is shaved, his soon-to-be-ten-years-old joints and elbows stays on the couch. His fur stays off my clothing. And, being the attention whore that he is, he LOVES that he can feel every touch and belly tickle post-shave.

That's animal abuse for ya.