(Ren Netherland / Barcroft Media)
(Ren Netherland / Barcroft Media)
(Ren Netherland / Barcroft Media)
(Ren Netherland / Barcroft Media)
OLD YELLER: Kobe the poodle grins and bears it after his groomer had him dyed and shorn in response to the “inner turmoil” surrounding the dog-eat-dog world of competitive pooch shows. (
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This lovable doggie can walk you all the way to “Sesame Street.”
Southern California dog groomer Catherine “Cat” Opson sculpted her poodle, Kobe, into this four-legged tribute to the children’s TV show.
Opson’s canine art fetched her first prize in a major dog-grooming competition in Pasadena earlier this year.
PHOTOS: WACKY ‘DOS FOR DOGS IN COMPETITION
Opson said her inspiration came as a result of “inner turmoil” in the competitive dog-grooming world, and she wanted to send a message to fellow groomers.
“I was at a baseball game and saw two kids, who obviously didn’t know each other, playing and so friendly to each other,” Opson told The Post yesterday.
“I wanted to remind people that we could live a little more like children and get along.”
The world of competitive canine grooming generated a good deal of publicity yesterday, when animal photographer Ren Netherland released the above images.
Netherland licensed two dozen shots of competitive dog-grooming winners, gaining worldwide exposure for his little-known craft and its furry superstars, such as Kobe.
Opson styled not one, but two, “Sesame Street” tributes into her dog.
Kobe’s head and front legs were crafted to look like Big Bird.
Then on one side of the poodle, Opson created the likenesses of lifelong platonic pals Bert and Ernie. Kobe’s other side was made to look like Elmo.
The dog’ s tail was shaped into the rubber duck Bernie uses in the bathtub.
Kobe’s roommate, a toy-poodle named Twinkle, also played a role in the winning exhibit, by just sitting in a mini-trash can — playing Oscar the Grouch.
“The colors, especially the yellow, really popped, really stood out,” Netherland said of Opson’s prized work. Netherland said he bristles when animal lovers, not familiar with competitive grooming, say that dogs should not be put through the lengthy cleaning events.
Netherland regularly travels to dog-grooming competitions, including the major events in Pasadena, Secaucus, NJ, Hershey, Pa., Chicago, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
The weekend-long events, with contests for various levels of expertise and dog breeds, always end with the final, creative competition.
That’s when the most experienced groomers are turned loose on their pooches to craft anything they’d like.
Rules simply call for all haircutting and styling to be done within 2 to 2 1/2 hours on stage.
Competitors are not allowed to use bleach, but can use non-oxidizing dyes.
The winner of the weekend-capping creative competition can get any thing from a magazine-cover shot to $5,000 depending on the event.
“The first thing a lot of people will say when they see the pictures is, ‘This must be abuse,’ and that’s not the case at all,” Netherland said. “They [the groomers] are very careful. These are professionals.”