I should know better

Getting ready for another big show, I have been preparing the bathroom. For dog beuatification, that is. I have a little table with a great display of bottles - Ring 5 Bright White shampoo, Winners` Circle Ultra Bright, Professional Whitener, Pantene , Wash and Go, Super Conditioner, Ice on Ice, Plush Puppy Swishy Coat, more Wash and Go -

Ah, yes, Wash and Go. Vidal Sassoon`s chief colourist is a delightful dog person, and in the course of his job has to liase with many manufacturers of hair products. Now Wash and Go has long been popular with Afghan exhibitors (although I think the current favourite is Pantene.) I am told that this lad decided to do the firm a favour and pointed out that he had found them a new market. They didn`t have to change the shampoo. All they had to do was aim it at dog people, relabel it "Wash and Win" - and quadruple the price.

They were scandalised. Their precious product on a pooch! They spoke harshly of "insult to the brand" and "degrading the product".

Their loss. There are fortunes to be made in these horrendously expensive dog products.

At the back of the table there is one little blue bottle. The label says "Silvikrin - for sad, flat hair".

That one`s not dog.

That one`s mine.