Trouble was patiently waiting for a table on Saturday at the Woofgang Academy of Grooming.
Karma, another poodle, is close.
Mounds of poodle fur, some of it dyed fuchsia, covered the floor of the Ocoee academy two hours into the “First Annual Freestylin’ Dog Grooming Championship,” where 35 canine stylists scissored-to- scissor for $10,000.
The field includes stylists from as near or as far away as Brazil and Mexico.
Problem is the poodle is not like his name.
He stood calmly, following for over an hour as groomer Jolette Generella shaped his luxurious coat.
Karma, whose full name is a sentence that includes the five-letter noun for female dog that is more commonly used by humans as an insult, seemed to enjoy her flashier makeover which included a pink pouf on her head and tail.
He traveled from Oklahoma with his groomer, Lori Craig.
Cindy Volk of Ocoee came to watch the competition at the suggestion of her dog groomer.
Mesmerized, she watched stylist Vanessa Pulgar shape her dog’s coat into fuchsia hearts of fur.
The poodle mix also got a mohawk.
“I think it’s amazing, all the talent is incredible, and the dogs are all very calm, very patient,” Volk said as he held the two Chihuahuas in his arms.
Lindsey Dicken, a decorated member of Groom Team USA representing the US in world dog-coiffing competitions, was named the top prize winner based on her precise haircut on her own dog, Emmett, a Bichon Frisé.
When asked why he entered the contest, he said, “My dog needs a haircut.”
What his dog just did was pretty simple.
“The rules say they can color for fun but it shouldn’t be considered judgmental,” explains Jonathan David, a grooming expert on Animal Planet shows including “Dogs 101,” “Cats 101” and “America’s Cutest Dog.”
He emceed Saturday’s event, which also benefited Poodle & Pooch Rescue of Florida.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals frowns upon grooming contests.
“Dogs are intelligent, complex animals, not toys,” PETA spokeswoman Catie Cryer said via email. “There is no safe way to dye a dog or any other animal, as there are always risks of toxic poisoning or allergic reactions that can be fatal to the animal.
“Putting a dog’s health at risk by treating a companion animal like a novelty item is both unethical and unnecessary.”
But David and the organizers say the dyes are non-toxic and safe and the participants love their pets.
Pooch and Poodle Rescue’s Susan Gros agreed, saying the animal rescue group, which saved 326 animals last year, wouldn’t be involved if they didn’t believe it.
