New look works for fashionable feline

Gwinn cat joins the rest of campus in spring makeovers

By ERIN NEVIUS, Staff Writer

Published: May 7, 2003

The "Gwinn cat" often lounges in the C-store window. He is well loved, well fed and much appreciated by the SPU campus. Recently the Gwinn cat was shaved as a unique demonstration of love and care for this cherished feline.

You can't ask a cat whether it wants to be shaved or not. Well, you can, but you won't get an answer. I can honestly say that until the age of 6 my mom cut my hair multiple times without asking my permission. I'm not sure whom, if anyone, owns the Gwinn cat. Admittedly, this person should have approved the shaving first. But shaving cats isn't inhumane or inappropriate -- it's liberation from the conventional. I'm considering shaving my two cats at home.

On a practical level, shaving cats can reveal any hidden skin abnormalities, lesions or tumors that require veterinary attention.

A shaved cat is also clean cat. This should make us all feel more comfortable petting the Gwinn cat. Think about this the next time you are touching/holding/petting a cat: They clean themselves with their own spit.

And cats, being responsible for their own grooming, would surely appreciate less hair to manage. Not only is a shaved style low maintenance, but it also cuts back on hairballs. I would definitely appreciate this, since one of my cats at home hacks hairballs on my bed daily.

For those cat lovers with allergies, like me, being in the presence of a cat can make one miserable. It doesn't matter whether you're actually allergic to cats or to the pollen and dust they bring in on their fur. Eliminating some hair on the animal will definitely lessen the problem. If shaving cats became the fashion, more people could keep them as pets.

Many pet owners do shave their cats on a regular basis to combat hairballs or prevent unwanted allergic reactions. And those who don't should consider the benefits to both themselves and the cat. Many veterinarians suggest shaving long-haired cats in much the same style as the Gwinn cat is modeling now.

Hair in general can be an annoyance, particularly if one's entire body is covered with a thick coat of it. Humans shave themselves all the time. A rite of passage when progressing through puberty is to begin the shaving of legs or face. Pet owners also shave their dogs. You can't tell me that a shaved cat looks unnatural while a shaved poodle looks natural. If it's socially acceptable to shave a dog, we cannot legitimately hold a different standard for cats. Preventing felines from the luxury of shaving is an injustice!

We must congratulate the Gwinn cat on its bravery. This new look is definitely stepping out of the cat norm. It is likely that our friend may be ostracized from the cat community for its originality. In time the Gwinn cat may be celebrated as the groundbreaking trendsetter that it surely is. We should all keep the Gwinn cat in our thoughts and prayers as it attempts to free all felines from predictable, passˇ fur styles. Conformity is boring.

Even keeping in mind all the advantages of being shaven, the Gwinn cat may be personally embarrassed or insecure about its new look. While change can be hard, our furry friend should keep in mind that the shaved look is stylish. Some incredibly famous people are bald, such as Michael Jordan and Dr. Evil.

It can be a challenge to find experienced barbers these days; the Gwinn cat may feel that its shave is less than professional. But it should know that it's not alone. We've all had bad haircuts. In particular, I remember the haircut I got in 10th grade that resulted in 80s bangs ... except it wasn't the 80s anymore. Thankfully, we can torture our hair any given day and not be restricted to a particular style in the future. This is a good thing. Remember the mullet? Hair is amazing because it grows back; mistakes are not permanent. We can cut, dye, spike, pluck and shave it all over again. Girls, remember that time you plucked your eyebrows and went a little too far? Thank God they grow back. The Gwinn cat's fur will grow back in time for winter.

In the meantime, cats shed in the summer because they are hot. And they shed everywhere. The Gwinn cat's new style will help it to keep cool this year. We also shed (our clothing) in the summer. Spring always results in a fashion upheaval around SPU. Women will free themselves from the shackles of bulky sweaters, heavy jeans, thick socks and durable shoes. Instead they will opt for adorning their bodies in tiny tank tops, short shorts and skirts, and flip-flops. And has no one else noticed that everyone gets a haircut over spring break? SPU women will soon enough be basking in the sun's warm rays in Martin Square, scantily clad with new haircuts. Now the Gwinn cat is no longer left feeling unfashionable and can sun bathe with them in style.

The Gwinn cat: engaging the culture, changing the world, one hairball at a time.

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