This is my 100th post for a blog that I started exactly 95 days ago. Out of those other 99 posts, 90 of them are about perfumes, with the rest being prior pieces that I’d written about royal history and food. So, I thought I’d use this 100th post to do something different. There will be some summaries and, probably, a lot of rambling. I’m also going to take this opportunity to inundate you with photos of my companion in all this: The Hairy German. He is my furry son, my great love, and more important to me than most of the humans I know. (Yes, I am one of those people.)
The Hairy German.
The very first thing I wanted to say is, thank you for reading. I realise that my reviews are about 2,000 to 2,500 words longer than most bloggers. Believe me, I know I’m verbose! I also know that I love details a little more than most. (Okay, a LOT more than most!) I’m trying to do something different with the blog though, so for all of you who have understood that, appreciated it, stuck through it all and come back, Thank You!
Random Conclusions:
- The most obvious thing first: cost is absolutely no guarantee of a good perfume. We all know that mass-market fragrances can be filled with synthetics as a cost-saving, profit-increasing measure, but very expensive brands are not immune from using really cheap-smelling, cloying, astringent, artificially powdery or vanillic synthetics either. It’s merely that the odds of avoiding such notes are a little better with a niche fragrance than with something on Macy’s perfume counter. Still, I was surprised by some of the expensive perfumes which had a heavily synthetic component; I felt like saying, “Shame on you!”
- I never knew all the different ways in which soapy scents would come to haunt me.
- Who knew that the descriptor “aquatic” could hold such horrors? Ditto for the word “calone.”
- The phrase “fresh and clean” is one of the fastest ways to send shivers down my spine. Even more so when combined with the word “soap.”
- I really miss the days when I naively thought $70-$80 was expensive for a bottle of perfume.
- The prices for some perfumes really and truly leave me spluttering. And I’m not talking about the insane $865 Clive Christian scents, either.
- Speaking of cost, companies really need to offer smaller sized 1 oz/ 30 ml bottles. It would make a perfume addiction much more affordable! In the long run, surely it would help their financial bottom line, too, by having increased sales?
- I’ve concluded that, for the most part, I am not a Chanel girl. For my personal style and tastes, they are almost all too blandly restrained with too many aldehydes or wispy florals, too light and too….. boring.
- On the other hand, I’ve decided that I’m not edgy or tough enough for Robert Piguet’s Bandit. But I want to be friends with the girl who is!
- Modern Guerlain fragrances have, generally speaking and thus far, been a disappointment for me as they veer far too much into the gourmand and/or light categories for my liking. So, I’m apparently not a (modern) Guerlain girl, either.
- Jean-Claude Ellena and his pernicious, increasingly extreme minimalism are coming close to ruining the decades-long love I had for Hermès fragrances.
- I don’t like L’Artisan Parfumeur much at all.
- There is an absolutely lovely generosity in the perfume world amongst perfumistas. People truly want to share for the pure love of perfume. The degree of thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity — in concrete and less concrete ways — to a newcomer has astonished me and often leaves me quite awed. I wish I had the means to repay all those whose kindness and sweetness to me have meant so much. All I can really say is, thank you. It means more than you can know.
Surprising discoveries:
- I always knew which notes I had a big fondness for but, before I started this journey, I never knew that I loved labdanum. Apparently, I don’t just “love” it either; I luuuuuuuuurve it. It may possibly be my favorite note of all, and definitely the leader out of all the various sorts of resins out there.
- I like Jean-Claude Ellena’s creations a lot less than I used to. By a significant amount. If he gets any more minimalistic, I may have to strike him off my list of perfumers that I like entirely. In fact, he’s quite ruining Hermès for me, a house that was once my second favorite of them all.
- I’m also a lot less enthused about Bertrand Duchaufour’s perfumes than I once was. In fact, I hesitate quite a bit now when I see his name. The exceptions are the masterpieces that he created for Neela Vermeire, but otherwise, he’s dropped considerably in my estimation. Also, can someone send him a note saying that Black Currant Absolute is really not as fantastic a note as he thinks it is?
My Favorite Post:
Out of everything I’ve written, I think my favorite might always be the courtroom case I built, prosecuted and defended against Givenchy‘s poor, much-maligned Amarige. The People v. Amarige – Prosecution & Defense was just incredible fun and very effortless to write — which isn’t always the case.
Favorite Scents I’ve Reviewed:
Neela Vermeire’s Trayee; Neela Vermeire’s Mohur; Téo Cabanel’s Alahine; and Ormonde Jayne’s Tolu.
Honourable Mentions: Neela Vermeire’s ebullient, bouncy, joyful Bombay Bling; Serge Lutens’ Chergui; Dior’s Mitzah; and Arquiste’s Anima Dulcis.
Least Favorite Scents I’ve Reviewed:
- Hands down, no contest, the top spot goes to Montale’s Aoud Lime.
- Montale’s Aoud Blossom and Oriental Flowers.
- By Kilian’s Love (Don’t Be Shy). (I’m almost tempted to put this as #2, above some of the Montales. That should tell you something….)
Dishonourable Mentions: Illuminum’s White Gardenia Petals; L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Passage d’Enfer (Enfer, indeed!) and Nuit de Tubereuse; By Kilian’s Straight To Heaven (White Cristal); Parfum d’Empire’s Azemour; Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose; and Bond No. 9’s I Love New York For All.
I’ll Never Understand The Fuss About: 
- The Enchanted Forest by the Vagabond Prince. Never. (Ever.)
- Ambre de Merveilles by Hermès.
Old vs. New:
Despite all the newer things I’ve reviewed, some of my favorites perfumes remain things that I owned before I started blogging. For example, YSL’s vintage Opium (my all-time favorite) and Champagne/Yvresse. The latter is my fizzy, bubbling, bouncy “joy in the bottle” scent. Others would be Robert Piguet’s Fracas or Hermès Elixir de Merveilles. I adore and hoard the last remnants of the late Robert Isabell‘s fragrances which have been long discontinued (Savannah is particularly stunning), and I love my vintage Soleil by Fragonard. I will also always have a huge passion for Claude Montana‘s chypre/leather Montana in vintage form (now renamed as Montana Parfum de Peau).
Speaking of vintage, my all-time favorite comfort scent might be vintage Karl Lagerfeld for Men which is neither “for men” nor expensive, even in vintage version. I bought my bottle for around $25 on eBay and it will remain one of my absolute favorite things to wear for a cozy, comfort scent. I love it so much that my very first review for this blog was for that fragrance! I was in such a hurry to proclaim my passion for it to the world that the review is quite short and quite unworthy of the fabulousness that is this unbelievably hypnotic, delicious, sweet fragrance with honey, spices, leather, tobacco, vanilla, and slightly Guerlainade powder. (Apparently, Karl Lagerfeld’s love for Shalimar lead him to do a more “masculine” tribute to it in the form of Karl Lagerfeld for Men, though it is “masculine” only by the more strict, rigid, gender-bound conceptions of the 1980s.)
I may no longer be the diehard vintage fan that I used to be, but I still think they did it best in the old days. There is a richness and depth to many of those scents, perhaps because many of them had at least 20-22 ingredients, if not far more. A surprising number of today’s fragrances have 6-9 notes, with some having as few as three. How can they possibly compare? The answer is that — with a few exceptions — they can’t. (Do you hear that, Mr. Ellena? Some of us want you to back away from the minimalism before you start giving us rose water or, at the rate you’re going, air!)
If Money Were No Object, I Would Buy All The Following Right Away:
Téo Cabanel’s Alahine; Arquiste’s Anima Dulcis; Neela Vermeire’s Trayee, Mohur and Bombay Bling; Ormonde Jayne Tolu and Ormonde Woman; Serge Lutens’ Cuir Mauresque; Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille; Puredistance M; and Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Absolue Pour Le Soir.
I have already succumbed to full bottles of Dior’s Mitzah and Serge Lutens’ Chergui from the list of those favorites which I’ve reviewed. A friend was also lovely enough to give me a decant of the Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille as a gift. So, Alahine will be next and, eventually, I hope to get around to the others. For most of these, I fear a mere decant won’t do. For the Neela Vermeire masterpieces, a decant definitely won’t do!
His Royal Puppiness’ Tastes:
Generally, His Royal Highness ignores most of whatever I wear. There are a few exceptions, however. He absolutely loved Puredistance M and tried to lick it off my arm the other night. He absolutely wouldn’t let go, and I had to finally push him away! He also gave a few sniffs to Amouage’s Jubilation 25 and, generally, lifts his head up from a nap to assess any extremely sweet aromas wafting his way.
His strongest reaction, however, was reserved for Parfum d’Empire’s Musc Tonkin. He kept sniffing in my direction, while looking utterly baffled and cocking his head to one side. Finally, he hesitantly drew near and almost head-butted me in his rush to smell my arm. After thinking about it, I realised that I used to do tracking with him using (fake) deer and duck scent, both of which are intentionally very musky. I suspect Parfum d’Empire might not think that was a huge compliment to their Musc Tonkin….
So, that’s Post #100. The Hairy German and I thank you for being on this journey with us, and we hope you will stick around for the rest of the ride. Well, I do, at least. He just wants you to kiss his paws, rub his chest, scratch his chin, plump up his pillows, and hand-feed him bananas and celery….
OMG! Puppy pictures! He is so handsome I can’t even stand it!
Congrats on 100 posts! I’m going to have to go back and check out that first one. Your posts are always informative. I look forward to the next 100.
I will give him extra celery stalks and tell him that it’s from The Poodle with admiration! 😉 He’s always in the market for new slaves, you know, so feel free to worship at his fuzzy, fluffy, floofy altar. LOL. *smooch*
Poodle kisses for the Hairy German. Woof.
…and what a wonderful 100 posts they’ve been! Seriously, I’m so glad you started this blog. It is probably my favorite thing in my Google reader (and I have about 100 subscriptions in my Google reader subscription, so you should feel honored!). I can’t wait to see what the next 100 posts have in store!
*sighs* I resemble so many things you wrote here, especially the naivete of $70-$80 perfumes. Now, $70-$80 puts a perfume in the “cheap at twice the price!” category. My poor, poor wallet. 🙂
This inspired me to re-read the Amarige post, which I like even more now than I did when I first read it. I think I have a new appreciation for it, even not having smelled Amarige, because I’ve decided since its original posting that I really prefer the big, loud fragrances to the more demure ones. Had I been on that jury, I think I may have been one of the three who ends up buying a bottle!
But what I *really* wanted to comment on was this: “There is an absolutely lovely generosity in the perfume world amongst perfumistas. People truly want to share for the pure love of perfume. ”
I find this so, so true. I’m really surprised and how thoughtful and helpful a lot of people in the community are to others, even those such as myself who are rather new to the game and are pretty naive. And I’m not just referring to generosity with giving samples/decants (although that’s been surprising in the best possible way), but helping to provide information, advice, etc. My half-baked theory is because unlike many hobbies, perfume is one that doesn’t encourage simply hoarding for the sake of hoarding, but actually using and enjoying perfume, no matter how rare. As a result, there is a lot of joy to be had in letting other people have access to some of your favorite scents and to provide them with information that allows them to find a scent that they love.
I’m glad you’ll get Alahine next! Thankfully for your wallet it’s positively affordable (or at least compared to something like Puredistance M!), especially if you buy somewhere like eBay where the big, 3.3 ounce bottle can be had for <$90. It's always a relief to fall in love with something that isn't completely unattainable, price-wise.
Also, I loved the adorable puppy photos! What a sweet furry baby! I know he's not a baby anymore, but I know he's just a baby at heart who has you absolutely wrapped around his paw!
Thank you, sweetpea. For your many, many kind words. (And not just about His Royal Furriness! 😉 ) As for the generosity of the perfume world, I think it’s because perfume is much more akin to food than to something like, say, makeup. Perfume can impact your senses like food, as well as those around you. Good food is always better when shared with those around you and when your love is matched by theirs. I suspect the same theory applies to perfume. Or perhaps they merely share my belief that perfume is both an adventure and, at its best, one non-stop PARTY! Because that is really what perfume *should* be about. But, whatever the reason, it’s a world that is full of friendship, kindness, and shared adventure. I’m glad we’re both in it — even if our wallets definitely regret the obsession. 😉 xoxoxox
Indeed, I adore you and how much you’ve helped me enter this magnificent hobby, but my wallet LOATHES you with the fire of a thousand burning suns! 🙂
Sweetpea, MY wallet loathes me with the burning fire of a thousand dying suns! *grin* If only I’d been interested in collecting something like plastic fruit or snow globes! 😉
Loving your doorways, paths and windows into Scentistan. I get lost here sometimes but that is part of the journey. Here lookin at 1000+.
Scentistan. LOL! Thank you, Jordan, for your kind words but, also, for always being so very sweet to me. (I sometimes get lost here too, btw. 😉 ) I send you a very huge hug, handsome, and look forward to sharing this blogging adventure with you and to your own 100th post (not to mention your 1000th)! xoxoox
Has it been 100 already? Wow. All your posts are always a delight to read. I look forward to each and every one. I don’t remember how I came across your blog in the first place, but I am so glad I did. I think I googled a perfume or saw your blog listed on another blogsite. I wish I could push out more posts like you, but I am so bogged down with work, I’m unable to do so. I have to get back to filming more reviews on my youtube channel (www.youtube.com/kingpharroh and http://www.youtube.com/dkchocoman) as well and yes I have two channels. One was created by accident because gmail automatically logged me into youtube while I was checking my email. So I figured like Hamlet, I’m half through the river of blood so I might as well trudge forward. A screen came up and the rest is history. Nonetheless, my channel has been so neglected these past few months. Hopefully, when I return to the US, I will give both more attention.
I think we bonded over the Elixir de Merveilles. LOL! Thank you for your kind words, Ferris! Are you away now on business or pleasure? If the latter, I hope you’re some place fun and tropical! I had no idea you did YouTube reviews; I will definitely try to check them out. 🙂
That’s a lovely summary for your 100th post! It was nice and funny to read your likes and dislikes, the things you’d buy or thing you’d send to the cosmic orbit if that was affordable.
Congrats on the milestone.
Thank you, Lucas. And thank you for always being here, for your support, and for your kindness! xooxx
It was great to meet you in the perfume blogosphere!
Always there for you 😉
Congratulations on your 100th post! And since I am a relatively new follower, I have a lot of older posts to read! Yay. You have a very easy and accessible writing style, with a big dose of your persona wrapped up in the words. I enjoy listening to you, and I often agree with your assessments, and that is fun to know there is a like mind out there. Your reviews have taught me so much, Many of my perfume sample purchases come straight from your recommendations. I am currently awaiting the Neela Vermeire’s fragrance samples. Your pup is so gorgeous!!! Thank you for generously sharing your thoughts.
Oh Tora, how wonderfully sweet of you! Thank you not only for your kind words but, also, for posting. I hope you will do so more often and join us in our little community here. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on scents you like, things you’ve ordered to test, or just about your perfume thoughts in general. So, please, don’t be shy! 🙂 And thank you in particular for your compliment about The Hairy German. Naturally, he takes it as his due. 😉 In another life, he must have been a Pasha with a whole harem at his beck and call. LOL.
Congratulation on your 100th post! I’m enjoying every single review you’ve done so far, for being honest, unique, full of details posts. I’m looking forward to your +10000 one!
Ross, no, thank YOU for being here, for posting and sharing your thoughts, and for always being so very sweet! *smooch*
Congrats on your 100th post!! I think we met back in November (I think) and I’ve enjoyed reading all your reviews. You’ve opened up my world to a whole new area of perfumes… and I’ve discovered notes that I never knew I liked! I am no longer wandering up and down the rows of perfume counters wondering if I’ll ever find a decent scent! I’ve been saved 😉 I look forward to reading the next 100 post!!!
I love the hairy german pictures!! Adorable! I am one of those people too. We have two dogs and I love them dearly and I probably twitter way too many pictures of them but I don’t care!!:) xo,Jackie
It was early December, Jackie, and I remember the day very clearly as well as my awe when I first saw that gorgeous fashion runway photo at the top of your blog! I think it must have been just a week after I started my blog! How is it that we’ve been blogfriends for all this time and I’ve never seen photos of your two furry children??!! We must correct that imbalance immediately! I think one of your next outfit posts will need some canine accessories….. 😉
Congratulations on your 100th post! It’s a lot of work (and a LOT of details in all those posts).
Are you positive The Hairy German liked Puredistance M? You know that when dogs are liking cats they’re doing it not as a gesture of affection but an attempt to get rid of that nasty cat’s smell? 😉 I think about it every thime Rusty tries to lick one of the perfumes I test: does he really liked it that much or hates and tries to clean me up?
I’m pretty sure he loved Puredistance M but the Musc Tonkin may be another matter entirely! And nooooooooooooooooooooo, don’t say that about Rusty. I have it in my mind that he’s my feline alter-ego with his passion for Opium. Don’t ruin the image! 😉 😀
Undina, you’re one of the ones I was thinking about when I wrote about the kindness of perfumistas. Thank you. For everything! *hugs*
Thank you, Kafka. I think that our Blogosphere got a lot from you joining it.
I also hope that Rusty likes my perfumes 😉
Your German is gorgeous. I’m one of those people as well, as I have 3 hairy children. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to more!
Ooooh, I’d love to know more about your hairy children! Types, names, ages? For all that I love perfume, I love animals far, FAR more –except to me, they aren’t animals at all. They’re just little people in a fur coat. And anyone who thinks they can’t talk really doesn’t know a lot about them! LOL.
Thank you for your kind words on the blog. I hope you will join in the discussion and share your own thoughts on perfume. Perfume should always be like a little cocktail party –whether you love the cocktails in question or not. 😀
I have a West Highland White Terrier named Lulu (Tallulah Belle, hence my online name of Lulubelle), a miniature Schnauzer named Lily Raisin, and a Border Collie mix I rescued named Maggie, a nod to Maggie from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. I worked with a local animal rescue group for years and also helped with the animal rescue efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. So, I share your passion for animals:-) All three are sitting at my feet as I type.
As for perfume, I’m rediscovering my love of scent and am educating myself to all the things I never realized I did not know. Your blog has been quite helpful with that! I’m at the stage where I know what I do or do not like, but articulating the nuances is definitely in the infancy stage.
Oh, Lulubelle, thank you for your lovely description but, most of all, for your work with rescues. That doesn’t even begin to convey my admiration for your work in helping animal rescue efforts after the ghastly tragedy of Katrina. I think there is an extra special place in Heaven for those who work/volunteer with animal rescue efforts. I got as far as volunteering at a shelter but I wasn’t strong enough to handle it; I came home in tears every night. It was a kill shelter, so it was particularly difficult for me and I had to eventually stop. I don’t have the emotional make-up to withstand that sort of thing. Hell, I can barely watch animal movies without becoming deeply upset at the smallest thing. “War Horse”? The movie trailers forced me to leave the room. So, to work with the lost, abandoned and suffering animals after Katrina…. I’m deeply awed. Brava!!!! You have my deepest respect and admiration.
As for perfume, let me know if I can ever help in anyway. Sometimes, just comparing notes about fragrances one likes or doesn’t like can be a big help — both in clarifying what the underlying problem may be or the nuances that make one thing “better” than another. Even if you can’t articulate the nuances, just jump in and chat. 🙂 What are your favorite kinds/categories of perfume so far? And what things have you discovered you love or don’t love?
Congrats on the 100th post! Upwards and onwards to the next 100! 🙂
Dear Kafka
Congratulations on your Century!
100 not out as we British would say.
Only one thing – I’m sure that with a fine beast like that on your leash you’re more than a match for Bandit!!
I feel convinced that day will come.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
My Dear Dandy,
The last time someone called my son a “fine beast” (I think the exact words were “magnificent beast”), he promptly licked them all over, then tried to plop himself on their lap like an over-sized cat. I’m just warning you; I wouldn’t want your finery to be damaged by his endless shedding (they’re nicknamed German SHEDDERS for a reason!) and I don’t know how you feel about face baths. 😉 He is definitely a lover, not a fighter — his particularly large fangs notwithstanding. Do you like dogs?
Thank you for your kind words on both the blog and Bandit.
Best,
Kafka
Kafka! I join others in congratulating you on your 100th post! Here’s to 1,000,000 more words 🙂
I enjoy your writing and the choice in reading everything in detail or skimming. I also appreciate your very personalized reply to comments. You have a gift and I am glad you are sharing it with the world!
Your Hairy German is gorgeous. I had to do a double-take on his picture as a puppy because my.best.dog.ever.who.is.now.in.doggie.heaven, a German Shepherd / Chow-Chow mix, fully grown, resembled your Hairy German as a puppy. He had all the classic German Shepherd markings but had had short stubby legs.
Thank you, dear Hajusuuri. For your kind words, your huge compliment, and for also sharing your story about your furry baby. I am truly sorry to hear about his passing. He must have been stunning! I grew up with a red chow (who was best friends with our black Shepherd), so I have a huge fondness for the breed. What was your boy’s name and how long has it been? The pain gets better but it never quite goes away, does it? 🙁 *a very gentle hug, my dear*
Thank you Kafka. I don’t know what my brother was into when he named him Custer but the name stuck and he never had a nickname. He had been commanding his troops in doggie heaven for the past 27 years. He gave joy to many, saved lives (long story but let’s just say he had no fear of strangers with guns), bossed around his humans but was no match for catty cats.
Awww, he sounds lovely. And I love the name! 😀 I’m sure he’s guarding the gates of Heaven very intently as we speak. BTW, absolutely *none* of my German shepherds have ever been a match for catty cats! My last one, the late Kafka (part of the source of inspiration for my posting name), was perpetually being beaten up and slapped by my big blue Persian, Pushkin. Of course, *everyone* was ruled by Pushkin — but that’s another matter entirely. 😉
Yup, for a dog whose cacophonous barks and sharp teeth could scare the pants off of generously proportioned people who have no business wearing skinny jeans, he was seriously henpecked by the cats!
What a fun way to encapsulate your blog on the one hundredth post! I wish I had thought of it! Lovely, just lovely. Now on to two hundred and beyond.
Thank you, sweet Lanier. I really appreciate the kind thoughts but, most of all, your friendship. xoxoxo
Happy 100 posts, Kafka! May you continue to delight us with many more.
Thank you! I look forward to getting to know both of you much better. 🙂 xoxo
Congratulations on the 100th post! Here’s to the next 100 and the next hundred after that!
The Hairy German was one adorable puppy! Thank you so much for including more photos of him. Very cute! And that is hysterical to hear about his reaction to Musc Tonkin. Fake deer and duck scent, eh? To think that I have been A) spending too much money on musk fragrances b) shopping in the wrong place 😉
Ha! The hunting section at Academy Sports will now become the new meeting place for perfumistas on the hunt for musk scents! 😉 😀 As for the Hairy German’s reaction, it’s simply further proof that Musc Tonkin must be damn close to the real thing, but I suspect that will terrify some people even more when it comes to the scent. My God, those first opening minutes were….. *gulp* INTENSE!!!
Thank you for the kind words on my hairy child as a puppy. Few things make me happier than when someone is sweet to him. So, I will feed him some celery stalks (which, to my eternal disbelief, he is ADDICTED TO) and tell him it’s from one of his admirers. He, naturally, will take it as his due. 😀
I hear it’s intense! I have yet to smell it, but I am a little scared.
Amazing that he like celery stalks. Goes to show that you never know! I adore dogs. Am a total dog person. The Hairy German looks like a particularly cute one! What big eyes!
Congratulations on your milestone! You can sleep when you are dead, as you would be the first to agree. : – ) I absolutely loved the court case post – there is quite literally nothing like it in the blogosphere, and only a litigator like yourself could have penned it with such verve and authenticity. I came across your blog around about the Illuminum White Gardenia Petals mark, I think – your name (and love of Existentialists!) intrigued me, so I hopped across to investigate.
In this post, the juxtaposition of pictures of Zola with comments such as the one about Bertrand’s Duchaufour’s fixation on blackcurrant absolute cracked me up. There is just something delightfully surreal in that…
HAHA, I never thought about the green leafy photo and Duchaufour’s obsession with blackcurrant absolute. I suppose my love of the surreal peeks through occasionally, even if only unconsciously. And thank you for the congratulations! I hope you will stick around for the rest of the ride, even if we ARE on polar opposites of the perfume spectrum. *grin*
First off- congratulations (I know I am late to the party but I have only recently joined 🙂 !)
Secondly, being 5’1″ and 93 lbs I am absolutely terrified of big dogs. Yet, looking at pictures of your Hairy German all I want to do is bury my little body in his fur! He looks so cuddly!
He would love for you to cuddle with him! And yes, he is a *particularly* plush, extra-furry German shepherd. (Hence, the nickname.) I think he has more fur than 2 of my prior GSDs put together! (You do not want to know what my shedding situation is like. Not at all!)
I fully respect the fears of those who have had bad experience in the past with dogs but, in the Hairy German’s case, he is a particularly gentle child. Even those at my vet place say he’s a “lover, not a fighter.” Well, unless you’re in the UPS man and ringing my doorbell — in which case, whoaaa! But, with that exception, The Hairy German is much more likely to try to curl up on your lap like a cat and lick you to death than anything else. 🙂
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