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An older man bathes a soapy, wet blue merle Border Collie in a galvanized metal tub in a backyard. 18 / 39

Grandpa Earl Filled the Old Metal Tub. Skye Knew Exactly What Was Coming.

AI imageborder colliebath timebackyard

Bath day has come to the backyard, and Skye has accepted her fate. She stands in an old galvanized tub full of sudsy water, her usually fluffy merle coat now soaked and dripping in long wet strands from her chest. Grandpa Earl leans over the rim, sleeves pushed up, scrubbing her gently with a soapy hand and smiling down at her. A green garden hose is coiled in the grass behind them, laundry hangs over a chair, and the tools by the fence suggest this bath was squeezed in between other chores.

Border Collies have a double coat with a soft, insulating undercoat and a longer outer layer, and they generally do not need frequent baths. Regular brushing usually keeps them cleaner than constant washing, and too much bathing can strip the natural oils from their skin and coat. When a bath is needed, use a shampoo made for dogs, since human products can be irritating to their skin. Lukewarm water is best, and it is important to rinse thoroughly, as leftover soap can cause itching. Afterward, towel off well and let a thick coat dry completely, brushing as it dries to help prevent mats.

Skye's expression says she is tolerating this with great dignity and is counting down the seconds. The moment Earl lets go, there will almost certainly be a dramatic full-body shake, and he will probably end up as wet as she is.

Clean dog, wet grandpa, happy yard. That is how bath day usually goes.

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