Grandma Edie Just Wanted a Clean Car. Moose Saw the Hose and Got Ideas.
Water arcs through the air from the hose, catching the light as it splashes across the windshield. Grandma Edie is bent over the hood of her old dark sedan with a blue sponge, glasses on and green quilted vest zipped, determined to get the job done. Moose, meanwhile, has decided this is the best game ever invented. The Saint Bernard lunges forward on the wet driveway with his mouth wide open, chasing the spray, his white chest soaked and his tail flying behind him. Soggy leaves and a pile of rags dot the pavement.
Many dogs love water play, and a hose can be a great way to burn energy on a warm day. A few tips keep it safe. Use a gentle spray rather than a hard jet, especially near the face and ears, and avoid letting a dog gulp huge amounts of water, which can be harmful in rare cases. Keep car-wash soaps and other cleaning products out of reach, since they are not meant to be licked or swallowed. After a soaking, a heavy-coated breed like a Saint Bernard benefits from a good towel-off, because damp fur held close to the skin can lead to irritation if it stays wet for hours.
The car may end up only half clean, and the driveway may look like a lake, but nobody is complaining. Grandma Edie has a helper, Moose has a water show, and the whole chore has turned into the most cheerful hour of the day.
