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Grandpa in glasses and overalls sits on wooden back steps brushing the coat of a Miniature Schnauzer sitting beside him. 19 / 22

Every Evening on the Back Steps, Grandpa Earl Gives Pepper Her Spa Treatment

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The low sun of early evening is pouring golden light across the back steps, where a laundry basket waits by the door, a pair of gardening gloves hangs on a hook, and a few succulents sit in clay pots. Grandpa Earl has settled onto the weathered boards in his overalls and olive work shirt, glasses perched on his nose, a wooden-handled brush in his hand. With slow, careful strokes, he works it down Pepper's back. The Miniature Schnauzer sits beside him with perfect posture, eyes half closed, beard and eyebrows catching the light, looking every bit like a client at a very exclusive salon.

The Miniature Schnauzer has a distinctive double coat: a wiry, harsh outer layer over a softer undercoat, plus longer furnishings on the legs, eyebrows, and beard. Brushing a few times a week with a slicker brush, followed by a metal comb through the leg hair and beard, helps prevent mats and removes loose hair. Many pet Schnauzers are clipped by a groomer every several weeks, which is practical, though clipping tends to soften the coat's wiry texture over time. Show dogs are often hand-stripped instead, a technique that pulls out dead outer hair to keep the coat crisp. A groomer can explain which approach suits your dog best.

Pepper does not care about any of the technical details. She only knows that the brush feels nice, the sun is warm, and Earl is not in any hurry. Some evenings call for a little pampering.

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