April 22, 1998
TC dog owner and poodle leave judges howling
By Garret Leiva
Herald staff writer
It has been said that a dog can't change its spots. But don't tell that to Mary Belanger, or for that matter, her yellow- and green-striped poodle.
While other dog owners might cringe at the thought of a multicolored canine, the owner of Classic Canine in Traverse City believes her 3-year-old Muffin takes the cake. She even has the awards to prove it.
Earlier this month, Belanger and her poodle earned a First-place while competing in the All-American Spring Grooming Show in Milwaukee. Of course, fluorescent yellow fur helps when you're vying for top honor in the creative category. Bright green jalape¤o-shaped swirls don't hurt either.
Putting her 17 years of dog grooming experience to work, Belanger created a Mexican motif titled, "Fido Fiesta." In addition to the yellow and green dog, the Kingsley resident used an adobe building backdrop, maracas, cactus and an empty bottle of tequila to set the stage.
Then the real work began. While Muffin laid on her side, Belanger had two hours to shave out a pattern of swirls and stripes as a panel of judges rated her handiwork.
While this may sound like a peculiar pooch, Muffin is no stranger to competition. She has competed nationally in grooming shows, including one in Atlanta where she was adorned with celestial bodies for a Star Trek-themed contest.
Closer to (earth and) home, "Dog-O-Ween" continues to be an annual dress-up event for the dog, Belanger said. During Muffin's time on the catwalk, the dog has transformed into everything from an Indian chief with a black mohawk to a pooch colored purple.
So even though the poodle may not be a sporting dog, she remains a good sport about all the color changes. After all, the dye process not only takes time to create, it takes time to disappear. Washes and hair cuts aside, Belanger said it can take up to five months for her dog to return to its natural white color. But Muffin seems to take it all in stride.
"She's just amazing. During competition she'll stay there as long as you ask her," said Belanger, who uses human hair dye for each of her colorful creations.
While a yellow and green dog attracts a crowd around the show ring, it tends to draw a few raised eyebrows and double takes outside the ring as well. And questions. Lots and lots of questions.
"People wonder if she's wearing a costume, or they'll think she isn't real but a stuffed animal," said Belanger, whose neighbors in Kingsley have become used to her dog's ever-changing coat.
"I've even had people ask, 'Did you dye her?' I guess they think she was born that color."
No doubt there will be similar reactions at Muffin's next show in Chicago this August, although Belanger won't let the cat out of the bag on her newest color choice.
Whatever the comments or color, this is one dog who doesn't have to go begging for attention.
"She likes all the attention," Belanger said. "Wherever we go, people flock to her, and she loves that."