Dog groomer decorates canine's fur to resemble faces of Sesame Street characters
AN eccentric dog groomer has decorated a canine's fur in bright colours that resemble the faces of beloved Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie.
Catherine Opson from South California has made a name for herself dying dog fur in fluorescent colours to turn her clients' pets into a work of art.
Her intriguing work at the Estrella Pet Grooming has also seen one pooch's fur turned into the faces of The Simpsons characters Bart and Lisa.
The latest trend in dog grooming has seen Ms Opson scoop first-prize at a major American competition.
But the eye-catching work has been criticised as being abusive towards pets, leading Ms Opson to come out to defend her unique approach to dog grooming.
She said: "The idea that it's abusive, I mean we use very pet safe products.
"They're made for pets. We do it in short increments. It's a misconception that they stand on tables for days at a time to get it done. They are only up here a short while. Then they get down; they take breaks."
Ms Opson said she uses dog-friendly dyes that do not contain harmful bleaches and the dyeing of the fur could in no way hurt the animals.
She added: "I can understand people not liking it and not thinking that it's for them, but just like people don't like tattoos that doesn't give you the right to judge people who have tattoos, that something's bad about them, or people with pink hair, or anything.
"Just because it's something different but isn't your cup of tea, doesn't mean that it's not fine for other people."