FURminator Confession

I-Needa called really early in the morning. The first thing out of her mouth was, 'I forgot to confess what I bought on Saturday.'

I told you before about this confession thing and how it works. One of us confesses, and the other one validates. We have it down to a science.

One little nuance of confession involves technique. First, one quickly states, with a little humility in the voice, that one needs to confess a little something. The next part depends on the size of the confession. If it is a really large purchase or deed, you start by listing all the reasons for what you have done. If it is something smaller, you just out with telling what you did, then list the reasons for it.

So, following her 'I forgot to confess...' statement, she forged ahead into..'I bought a FURminator.'

I shook my head and wondered if my ears were plugged up or something. I had no idea what she had said.... a what? I asked her to repeat it, then repeated it back to her with a question in my voice. 'Yes', she said.... 'a FURminator'

Like I said, it was early in the morning, and I had no idea if I should be excited for her or concerned. Somewhere in the back of my brain the word 'FURminator' began to sound a tad familiar. However, those dendrites that should be connecting and feeding me information weren't doing their job. I was clueless.

I asked for a little explanation, some help, a clue, ...anything. Seizing her opportunity to enter phase two of the confession, she continued. 'You know how I've fought with dog hair. You know that I've been looking for some way to cut down on that. Gee... I have to cook and worry about getting hair in stuff. Then there is the sofa and all that hair. What a problem I've had!'

Just in case you've missed it, this is the part where we establish that our reasoning is really intact and we have managed to solve a real problem with our actions. We want a complete list of positive reasons for our actions. It helps immensely in the validation process.

Since she had been the proud owner of this new article and had postponed the confession for four days, I-Needa had had time to use the item and could testify that it was a wonderful purchase and had vastly improved the quality of life at her house.

'I just love it, and Gigi doesn't seem to mind at all. She has always liked to be brushed, and she seems to like this too. You should see all the hair it gets out. When she gets off the sofa, there is only a hair or two, not forty! It is SO nice. Now she brushes up against me, and doesn't leave hair. Oh, I'm SO glad I got this. I NEEDED it!'

I've told you that we have refined this whole process, so look what she said next... (tricky)... 'Would you believe that they sell this same thing at one of those expensive pet spas for $89.99 and I got it for ONLY about $39? Isn't that something? What a bargain! Yes, I like shopping at Pet Smart! I know it was kind of expensive, but it it SO worth it! You know, I'd looked at this several times on QVC and just didn't order it, but I just had to have it now.'

Now it was my turn to do my part. The scene was set. 'Well', I said, 'I think that sounds like a good investment if it really helps that much. It isn't like you haven't refrained from buying this item before. You've looked at it several times and throughly evaluated if you should really have it. It sounds like a good deal. Gee.... so much less than you could have paid elsewhere. You are such a good planner. Good job, you!'

That's how confession works. It really is a pretty good deal. We are all happy. I'm going to include Gigi in that statement as she will get more attention. She has a ton of attention as it is, but now is an opportunity for even more. She will be bonded with the FURminator soon, and it may become her best friend. Tah Dah!