However, the DIY grooming skills of dog owners made for some pretty fascinating before-and-after photos - which inspired one woman to create a new book.
"Scruffy: Our loyal pandemic pooches and the good, the bad, and the crazy haircuts we gave them" is a light-hearted new book by Shelley Ross.
It features a wacky gallery of before-and-after shots when many grooming shops shut down this year.
The pooches span the globe. Ross came up with the idea in mid-March while she stayed at home on the Upper West Side.
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"This was a one-man band, sent out photo releases, tracked down dogs, waited for photo releases to come back from Hong Kong, Australia," Ross said.
One-hundred percent of the profits from the book go to FDA-authorized COVID research for the sickest patients.
The book also reflects on how many people got through the unprecedented time with the help of their furry friends.
"It was a real metaphor for our courage, our resilience and our hope," Ross said.
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