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A bearded older man sprays water on a dusty blue car as a golden retriever sits up and snaps at the arc of hose water. 8 / 22

Grandpa Only Meant to Rinse the Old Car. Then He Tipped the Hose Down.

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The old blue sedan is streaked with dust and suds, and Gus has the hose nozzle aimed squarely at the roof. Then he tipped it, just a little, and the spray arced down toward the driveway. Honey did not miss her chance. She is up on her haunches with her mouth wide open, catching the stream midair while droplets bounce off her nose. Gus is grinning behind his glasses. Behind them, the garage is crammed with buckets, a broom, a rake, and a watering can, all of which can wait.

Lots of dogs go wild for a hose, and golden retrievers, with their water-loving history, are often first in line. It is a fun way to cool off on a warm day, but a few tips help. Keep the pressure gentle and avoid spraying directly into the face, ears, or open mouth at full force, since dogs can gulp a surprising amount of water while playing. Short sessions with breaks are best. Car soaps and cleaning products should stay out of reach, and puddles of soapy runoff are not for drinking. Towel your dog off afterward, and dry the ears well to help prevent irritation.

The car may end up a little cleaner and the dog a lot wetter, which is pretty much the ideal outcome of any driveway car wash. Gus will just call it two jobs done at once.

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