Browse ›
Grandpa in a red flannel shirt lathers a wet Beagle standing in a soapy galvanized metal tub in a backyard. 4 / 21

Grandpa Hauled Out the Old Metal Tub. Rusty Knew Exactly What That Meant.

AI imagebeagledog bathbackyard

Bath day has arrived in the backyard, and Rusty is handling it with the quiet dignity of a dog who has accepted his fate. He stands in an old galvanized washtub, soap bubbles floating around his white legs, his ears hanging damp and heavy. Grandpa Hank leans in behind him in that familiar red plaid flannel, sleeves soaked, working suds into the Beagle's shoulders with a gentle hand and a small, patient smile. A garden hose is coiled by the fence, a few potted plants line the patchy grass, and the sky overhead is a soft, cloudy gray.

Beagles have short, dense coats that shed steadily, and most do fine with a bath only every so often unless they roll in something smelly, which, being Beagles, they sometimes do. Use a shampoo made for dogs, since human products can be too harsh for their skin. Lukewarm water is kinder than a cold blast from the hose, especially on a cool day, and a thorough rinse matters because leftover soap can leave skin itchy. Those long, floppy ears deserve extra care: try to keep water out of the ear canals and dry the ears well afterward, because moisture trapped inside can lead to irritation. A weekly brushing between baths helps manage shedding too.

Rusty may not love the tub, but he clearly trusts the hands holding him. Soon enough he will be towel-dried, warm, and probably zooming across the yard to celebrate his freedom.

More from this collection

All 21 →
Grinning grandpa in red plaid does a little dance on a tiled kitchen floor as a Beagle with a blurred wagging tail looks up.An Old Song Came On While Grandpa Was Doing Dishes. Rusty Was Not Ready.Kneeling grandpa in plaid reaches up to pick a red apple as a Beagle sniffs fallen apples on the ground beneath the tree.Grandpa Was Picking Apples Off the Tree. Rusty Appointed Himself Chief Inspector.
Grandpa in red plaid hammers a nail into wooden fence boards by an open door while a Beagle holds a stick in its mouth.Grandpa Grabbed His Hammer to Fix the Fence. Rusty Showed Up With Supplies.Grandpa in plaid smiles at a Beagle with one paw on the patio table beside a plate of eggs, toast, avocado and cheese.Eggs, Toast and Coffee on the Patio. Then One White Paw Appeared on the Table.Grandpa with glasses on his head knits on a sofa while a Beagle lies tangled in loops of beige yarn beside a basket of balls.Grandpa Was Halfway Through a Knitting Project When He Looked Down at RustyGrandpa in a knit hat, puffer jacket and glasses shovels snow while a Beagle bounds through a snowbank in front of him.Grandpa Went Out to Shovel the Driveway. Rusty Treated It Like a Snow Day Festival.