Funky Fido

Owners can select from several nontraditional grooming methods to turn their dogs from ugly ducklings to style-savvy swans. Using doggie-safe dyes in funky colors like pink and blue, groomers at The Dog Salon (1318 Central Ave., Suite E-1, 704-248-0991, www.thedogsalon.com), can style and coif your pooch with an edgy look (read: Mohawks and the like). Paws & Relax (6908 Matthews-Mint Rd., Suite 320, 704-573-1836, www.pawsandrelaxpetspa.com) goes the primping and pampering route by offering not only hair coloring, but also doggie pet-icures. (Yes, pet-icures.) Going beyond traditional clipping and filing, your pup will have his feet rubbed and his nails massaged with oil. Special request: Ask for the doggie-safe nail polish in glow-in-the-dark colors to make your pet the hippest dog at the park.