And now, For Something Completely Different: Grooming a Possum (Oops: That's Opossum)

"Proper Opossum Pedicure"

MEpearlA, YouTube (July 18, 2010)
video, 5:33

"How To Give Your Opossum a Proper Pedicure"

Yes: You did see her play "this little piggy" with the opossum. And decorate the critter's toes with nail polish.

The booties she displayed didn't actually go on the opossum's feet.

This video is a fairly practical how-to for opossum-owners who need to groom their pet's feet: although I suspect the nail polish is optional. The narrator also gives some common-sense advice for folks who spot a lone or injured opossum.

As to whether the animal's an opossum or a possum: The AP Stylebook I use says it should be "opossum," except in traditional phrases like "playing possum." Truthfully, when I'm speaking I generally call these North American marsupials "possums."