Everyone's just pretending the dog is a dog and nobody will break character

"I'm a dog groomer. Client brings in the same "dog" every month. It's clearly a raccoon. Nobody will acknowledge this. First appointment, January. Woman scheduled a "Pomeranian mix" grooming. Brought in a raccoon. Actual raccoon. In a dog carrier. I stared. "Ma'am, that's" "His name is Biscuit. Just a trim please. He gets matted." My manager was standing right there. Nodded. "Standard Pomeranian package?" "Yes please." I groomed a raccoon. It was surprisingly cooperative. Probably used to it. Charged her $65. She tipped $20. Biscuit returns monthly. Same routine. Nobody mentions the obvious. Other groomers wash him. Trim his nails. Brush his teeth. We have before/after photos displayed. "Biscuit - Pomeranian Mix." He's visibly a raccoon. Black mask. Ringed tail. Hands instead of paws. Eats from the trash can in our break room. New employee started last week. Saw Biscuit's appointment. "Why is there a raccoon on the schedule?" Everyone went quiet. Manager said, "That's Biscuit. He's a Pomeranian mix." "But he's literally" "A valued client. Who pays on time. Do we have a problem?" New girl didn't argue. Yesterday, health inspector came. Routine check. Saw Biscuit getting a blowout. "Is that a raccoon?" Owner didn't look up. "Pomeranian mix." Inspector wrote something. Left. We passed inspection. I've been here four years. Groomed Biscuit 48 times. He's objectively a raccoon. But on paper? Pomeranian mix. And everyone just..... accepts this. Sometimes I wonder if I'm insane. If we're all collectively hallucinating. But then Biscuit shows up. Climbs onto the grooming table using his weird little hands. Chatters at me. And I wash him. Style his fur. Send him home looking fabulous. Because apparently this is my life now. Professional raccoon groomer. Pretending it's a dog. For $65 plus tip. Every month. Forever." Let this story reach more hearts.... By Mary Nelson