In a recent interview with Stern, who prior to the film had never heard of this type of grooming or competition said, “The film for me and as a young filmmaker is [answering the question] what is art?” She continued, “I was really intrigued by this community of women that was so outside NY or LA or Chicago being artsy, and just the fact that they were getting enjoyment out of it. Shouldn’t you just be able to smile and find joy? I really resonated with that.”
Creative dog grooming is a way for groomers to become artisans, showcasing their artistry and creativity with their best four-legged friend. While many nay-sayers question the morality or even hint at the cruelty of it, it appears to be not only a safe way to make a dog stand out (to say the least) but allows that human-canine bond to become even stronger. Picture Roofus getting his much-loved hours of petting and scratching.
Fido fashion can be as simple as a special collar and leash to something as extravagant as creative dog grooming, and this is a market that seems to be recession-proof. No matter what’s going on in the world, financially or politically, our interest in Spot’s welfare is always driving the market upward. Some might even say that the world has gone to the dogs, but where would man (and woman) be without our best friend by our side? Our dog is our emotional support, our giver of unconditional love, and the family member that never rolls his/her eyes at us. And if buying a few accessories or giving Puppy a new 'do or even a fresh color makes us feel good and connects us even more to our buddies, then we do have a “pawsitive” benefit from the dog fashion world.
If you’d like to see “Well Groomed” at an upcoming festival, go to www.wellgroomedfilm.com/screenings