Howllo fellow hound lovers, Cat here, reporting in with breaking news! I just got the following e-mail from Franklin’s Dad!

Got your e-mail and thanks again for the call. “Spent alot of time on the phone today. I put a couple pictures of Franklin in the mail to you on the way home from the barbershop. I hope other states follow Ohio’s new pet policy now and the beauticians will have to get their board to change to just like the barbers did. I am so glad I stood up for all those 21,000 beauty shops and 3,200 barbershops in Ohio and Franklin sure is a hero now and he has earned it. Alot of photos of him and I think now since he is famous he wants steak for supper instead of dog food. What a pet ?? Looking forward to meeting you some day and maybe you dogs too.

All the money that has been raised I am donating to ChildReach Ministries Box 485, Canal Fulton, Ohio They run and support 3 ophanages and a home for unwed mothers in South America. A great cause for Franklin to be involved in. He loves all my customers and kids. Have a great week. Matt the barber and Franklin

…..NOTE, NOTE, NOTE, I AM SENDING 5 LILY BOOKS TO MATT THE BARBER FOR FRANKLIN’S CAUSE. GOOD BOY FRANKLIN. I HOPE LILY CAN HELP!

“I love him,” Schwendiman said. “I haven’t met anyone who comes in here who doesn’t like Franklin. He just gets along with everybody.”

But the 4-year-old dog was kicked out about a year ago when an inspector for the Ohio State Barber Board told Schwendiman that animals are not allowed.

During a 10-month exile to the barber’s home, Franklin just didn’t seem happy.

At my house, he scratched my window sills up,” Schwendiman said. “When I’d leave, he would look out the picture window. He wanted to go to the barbershop.”

But after a local newspaper tapped into Franklin’s situation, Republican state Sen. Kirk Schuring of Canton wanted to find out why dogs and other pets, under certain circumstances, are allowed in nursing homes and hospitals but not a barbershop.

Schwendiman said his dog put his customers, especially children, at ease.

Schuring and Howard Warner, executive director of the state’s regulation board for barbers, crafted rules last year that allow one animal, which must belong to the shop’s owner. A veterinarian must attest to the animal’s health, and the owner must obtain liability insurance.

A photograph of the animal must be sent to the state and posted at the barbershop.

Warner said that some other states, such as Montana, Florida and California, have such pet therapy rules that would pertain to barbershops.

“There is no reason why in our civilization today these adjustments can’t be made,” Warner said. Schwendiman’s request was approved Dec. 5.

“He’s a great dog,” said Schwendiman, who has cut hair for almost 40 years. “He’s just so passive. He makes you relaxed; he reminds me of myself when I’m home sleeping.”

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