Man Prank Calls Woman With Threat to Shave Her Poodle

SPOONVILLE, WI — What began as a bizarre and deeply confusing prank call involving a poodle, a threat, and one very confused elderly woman has somehow blossomed into love.

Local resident Gloria Niblet, 78, received a phone call late one Tuesday evening from a man who allegedly shouted, “I’m gonna shave your poodle, and there’s nothing you can do about it!” before hanging up. The only problem? Gloria does not—and never has—owned a poodle.

“I thought maybe I blacked out and bought a poodle on QVC,” Gloria told reporters. “I was terrified. I went outside with a flashlight yelling ‘Poodle? Hello?’ like a fool.”

Authorities were called but couldn’t make sense of the incident until the caller—identified as Leonard “Lenny” Grubs, 63—confessed. Lenny admitted the call was meant to be a harmless joke he found in a “Prank-A-Day” calendar from 2004.

“It said, ‘Call someone and pretend you’re outside their house with clippers. Mention a poodle,’” said Lenny. “It didn’t say anything about what to do if they don’t have one.”

From Panic to Passion

Though shaken at first, Gloria didn’t let the mystery lie. After the police traced the number and contacted Lenny, she insisted on confronting him herself. “I wanted to give him a piece of my mind and possibly a decorative spoon to the head,” she said.

But when the two met, sparks unexpectedly flew.

“He looked like a man who hadn’t shaved either—much less a poodle—but there was something in his eyes,” Gloria said. “Mostly confusion. But also kindness.”

Lenny was immediately apologetic and brought her a bouquet of fake flowers and a plush toy poodle “as a peace offering and a visual aid.”

Love on a Leash

Weeks later, the couple is now officially dating and have even adopted an actual poodle together, which they’ve named Clippers, in honor of their strange origin story.

“We thought about naming him Prank, but that felt a little traumatic,” said Lenny. “Clippers felt ironic but healing.”

There is no official word yet on whether Clippers has been shaved. Gloria insists that’s “personal family business,” though she added, “Let’s just say someone got a little trim—but it wasn’t me.”

A Cautionary Tale (Sort of)

Local police say no charges were filed and are calling it a “case of harassment turned heartwarming.”

“We wouldn’t recommend prank calling strangers with poodle threats,” said Officer Mona Drell. “But if you do… maybe be single, just in case.”