I don’t go to those male barber shops with the poles outside, I’ve never been at ease in all male things. I get my hair cut, such as is left at a cozy beauty parlor on Main Street called Joan’s Shear Secrets. The name evokes some mystery and excitement to me, and I love talking with Joan, we yak a lot about Disney World and family and life in a small town.

Mostly, there are older women at Joan’s, if I don’t quite fit in, I am quite at home there. I love to see them in the rear under the big dryers getting their hair permed. My haircuts take about five minutes, she shaves the buzz off the top and trims down the sides. Joan is a dog lover, and I told her Red was out in the car. She said she’d love to meet him so I brought him in.

Red is the anywhere dog, he goes anywhere and stays there quietly, as long as he can see me. He hates linoleum floors and tiptoes  over them – Scott Carrino puts down carpeting in the Round House Cafe for Red. Red greeted Joan and then went over to a corner and sat down under one of the salon chairs. He didn’t move or make a sound until I was finished. Several of Joan’s customers went over to great him and cuddle with him.

Joan charges me $12 for a haircut. I am glad Red can come with me from now on.

Red is welcome at many places in my town – the dentist, the hardware store, the bookstore, the gym, the Round House Cafe, now Joan’s. In this way, he fits into my life as a dog was meant to do, and ought to do. He loves coming along as much as he loves chasing sheep.

So he is a beauty parlor dog now.