Posted on 08/25/2009 9:51:51 AM PDT by Daffynition
At first glance they look like pandas, buffalos and camels, but these are all poodles that have been hilariously sheared and coloured in the name of art.
Animal photographer Ren Netherland, 48, travels thousands of miles every year photographing these stunningly convincing transformations at "creative grooming" shows.
And it's not just other animals the skilful owners ...
Movie characters like Pirates of the Caribbean hero Jack Sparrow also turn up in doggy form.
Others from the collection of super-groomed canines include a horse with a saddle carved into its fur, an American football player with a hairy helmet, and a snail.
Amazingly it takes just two hours for the creative groomers to carve their masterpieces of out of dog's coats and add props as finishing touches.
After that they are ready for the judging panel.
Expert dog snapper Ren, from Florida, USA, said: "When these dogs come into the arena for a show or a competition you have absolutely no idea what they are going to be turned into.
"The groomers do colour them before they arrive but basically all you see at first is an extremely fluffy poodle that has weird coloured patterns on it.
"The transformation they go through is simply spectacular. There's no other word for it. It's amazing what they can do in so little time."
Ren has been touring the states for 10 years on his private tour bus - his mobile base for his company animalphotography.com.
He is the only professional photographer who is brought in to capture images of the winning poodles on behalf of the show organisers.
He said: "I love my job. I get a really big kick out of it.
"Watching the owners turn these balls of hair into something so intricate and detailed really does baffle anyone watching.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I disagree about the self-aware comment. But you are correct—buffalo meat is delicious. Can’t say the same for poodle—never tasted it!
That’s funny.
I was being funny about the buffalo meat thing and should have either used a smiley or not said it. The self-awareness issue is actually fairly controversial. Some higher mamals seem to have passed a test, but dogs are actually quite a ways down the list.
Aw, they’re so amazing!
Tango never seemed to mind his unusual coloring.
I know, thus why oinged you.
Your big oy looks awesome and so dang huggable!!!
That’s really profoundly disturbing.
The people that do this deserve to be attacked and bitten.
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