Mark,
 
When my little Hobbes started to shed his winter coat, I found it highly
annoying.  So, I took him into the bathroom and put him in the sink.  I then
proceeded to "pluck" him like a chicken.  He didn't seem to mind it, in fact
I think it felt kind of good to get rid of all that itchy hair.  Anyway, I
pulled out almost all of his guard hairs on his back and sides.  He was
really cute afterwards.  He was all creamy colored (he's a sable) because
the only hair left was his soft underfur.  It looked like I had dipped him
in flour.  His guard hairs grew back in about a week or so.  Hope this
helps.
 
     Shelly,
     Hobbes, Calvin, and Susie
[Posted in FML issue 1576]