Wednesday, October 10, 2007

75. The American Cocker Spaniel is high maintenance, like some girlfriends

In Singapore, the common causes of itchiness in the puppy are skin infections and ear infections caused by mites and bacteria and a lack of grooming.

In many cases, the child for whom the high-maintenance puppy, like the American Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Bichon Frise and other thick-coated breeds, is given as a present soon forgets that daily grooming is required.




The child does not spend even 5 minutes to groom and brush the puppy. Just feed it and clean up the stools. Just bathe once a week. Soon, the ears get itchy. The skin under the long hairs gets damp and infected. The puppy bites and licks the intense itchy area. Rubs its neck and floppy ears.

The groomer would be consulted to get some advices. The groomer with the pet shop advised, "Buy these shampoos, chicken-based dog food is never good---chicken is the cause---change to this brand, rub on this good ointment on the affected skin, give this ear drop---very effective...."

Sometimes, these advices were excellent.

In the end, it is still the daily grooming, inspection and brushing that prevents many of the skin problems of the high-maintenance breeds. At least a grooming once every 2 days.

As for high-maintenance girlfriends/boyfriends, nothing much needs to be done about their grooming. They know what to do. If you can't afford their life-style, they just dump you.

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