What a pet!

“Yes, the usual for Picasso... manicure, pedicure, shampoo and this time can you colour his ears and tail to match the brown in my hair?”

Heard the latest?

Chennai’s going in for pet makeovers.

Is that a cute concept, or what?!

You know that old adage... of pets and owners starting to look alike after a while?

This would probably take that to a whole new level.

Recently, in certain circles, hushed whispers circled clockwise.

“X has decided only to have Irish Setters.”

“Obviously,” an answering (sharper) whisper swooshed back, counter-clockwise. “Given her obsession for bonded hair, what did you think she’d choose ... a Bichon Frise?”

Enter - pet parlours.

Yeah, yeah, we know – grooming isn’t only about appearance, blah, blah ...

Well, in this looks-obsessed Age, why should other species, adorable as Nature may have already made them, be left behind?

Parlours will soon move from unisex to multi-species ... including not just the canine and feline, but also avian, reptilian, bovine, equine ... and anything else pet-worthyine.

Some amount of rowdiness may result, especially among the street (or ‘pye’) varieties of said species ... booing, snide remarks being flung at the more pampered of their co-species-ers.

Sheer envy?

Then best ignored.

And what does Chennai/Madras think of all this?

Well, the Grand Old Lady is always game for more colours being added to her already multi-hued persona, and accepts them all, albeit with a slightly enigmatic smile.