Groomer Has It.

I am watching the new season of a great reality show called "Groomer Has It." It is on Sat. at 9pm. My old teacher, and founder of Nash Academy of Animal Arts of Lexington KY and New Jersey, John Nash, created this show. I was one of the first to know this, and I felt very privileged. John and Vivian, his wife, are the who's who of the grooming world.

The title of "groomer of the year" is a very, very prestigious title. At least, to us of the grooming world. It is like being picked for Groom Team USA, which is our Olympics. Yes, groomers have Olympic teams. It might seem silly to some, but to us, it is a great honor and such a great time. There are many, many talented groomers out there. It is such a shame that our area has only a handful.

Back to the show, as I regress sometimes. The challenges that they put them through, are great, and really put them, the groomers, to the test. The one challenge I liked, was the one where they had to take a Standard Poodle and do a creative groom, using color. One team, the blue team, actually brush burned the leg of their dog. I was so shocked! So were the judges. And, the one responsible was Michael. I personally thought they were wrong, but that is just me. Check out the show on Sat. at 9pm on Animal Planet.

Cell Dogs.

I am watching a fabulous show called "Cell Dogs." This is such a great show! I was just surfing channels and found it. Prison inmates take dogs on death row at a shelter and train them to become active members of society and get adopted.

They have these programs all over the nation from OH to OR. Since 1981, 65 prisons in 25 states have adopted this program. Dogs seem to relieve tensions and prison violence. The people that are working in these programs are guilty of some pretty violent things and pretty tough men and women, too. But, they have changed, due to the dogs, and their unconditional love and loyalty. These men and women haven't had this type of love and commitment in their lives, or the responsibility, of taking care of a helpless animal.

The interviews they did with the inmates were great, too. One, in particular, struck me. This man was in for being a drunk and a drug addict. The dogs, all 12 that he has trained and that have been adopted, taught him responsibility. He said that taking care of the dogs and their love, stopped him from wanting to drink and do drugs. He has been sober and clean for 12 yrs. That is the power of dogs. Check out the show on Animal Planet on Tues. at 7pm.