More Is Less

Neville received another of his periodic shaves today. It is rather the wrong time of the year for it, as the balmy days of the first weeks of autumn appear to be over and even the sunny hours are cool, but I left the hair-cut too late, and he was at the stage when he needed one.

As usual, a great deal of hair came off my grey lion. The groomer, who very generously does this as a favour to our rescue-group, worked swiftly but expertly. The Nevsky was quite patient with the proceedings, as he usually is, but, again as usual, started to become restless in the latter phase. Nonetheless, he is a most co-operative beast.

I am certain that, along with feeling a little chillier – against which windows will be closed and cat-beds spread – Nev will feel more comfortable. The dense hair that he grows must give him a pebble-in-the-shoe sensation when he lies down. As well, something that the groomer mentioned that I did not consider was that, since Neville doesn’t clean himself well, the fur becomes dirty and gritty. Thus, a shave is hygienic.

This is done for another few months. The Nevsky undoubtedly is an improved fellow, his skin-tight fur velvet to the touch; he certainly looks better. And I can see more of the real Neville, now that there is less of him.