Fur Ball

Vito guards his fur

“We're all born bald, baby.”

- Telly Savalas

            Vito is one serious fur ball.

            Some call this time of year the shedding season, but what happens to Siberian Huskies once or twice a year is far more ominous than an ordinary word like “shedding” could describe. Think fur explosion.

            The fur comes out in stages. First, the undercoat blows. White, lighter-than air tumbleweeds of fur roll over the floor. When you reach to pick one up, the nearly imperceptible wind generated by your movement causes the ball of fur to shift continuously out of your reach.

            Next, the darker undercoat falls out. The heavier, dark fur coats the carpet. It takes three or four swipes with a vacuum cleaner to pick it up.

            Finally, the outer coat goes. These hairs look like black and silver needles. They stick to upholstered chairs

            For 45 minutes one afternoon and then again a few hours later, I brushed Vito. I removed so much fur that he now resembles a dog more than some freak black and white polar bear.

            The fur pictured is from that long and hairy day.