Browse ›
Grandma in glasses and an olive quilted vest scrubs a smiling black Labrador sitting in a soapy metal tub in the yard. 10 / 22

Most Dogs Hate Bath Day. Moose Has a Very Different Opinion.

AI imagelabrador retrieverbath timebackyard

Unlike some dogs who dread bath day, Moose is having the time of his life. He sits in the old galvanized tub in the middle of the backyard, soapy water up to his chest, his front paws hooked over the rim and his mouth open in a broad, happy grin. Dot leans over him in her olive quilted vest and grey sweater, sleeves pushed up, scrubbing behind his ears with a soapy cloth and smiling at how well this is going. Her glasses have slipped down her nose. A broom, a blue bucket, a coiled hose, and some garden pots sit by the fence behind them.

Labs often take to baths more easily than other breeds, thanks to their love of water. Their dense double coat traps dirt and natural oils, though, so a good rinse is important. Use a shampoo made for dogs, since human products can irritate their skin, and rinse thoroughly to avoid leftover residue that causes itching. Pay attention to the ears: Labs' floppy ears can trap moisture, which can contribute to ear infections, so dry them gently afterward. Most Labs don't need frequent baths. Regular brushing, especially during seasonal shedding, does a lot to keep the coat healthy and the house less hairy.

Moose will shake off half the tub's worth of water onto Dot any minute now, and she'll probably laugh about it. A clean, happy Lab is worth a soggy vest.

More from this collection

All 22 →
Grandma in a sage quilted vest naps in a grey recliner while a black Labrador sleeps with his head resting on the armrest.Dot Nodded Off in Her Recliner. She Didn't Notice Who Joined Her.Smiling grandma in a green quilted vest walks through a pumpkin patch as a black Labrador trots in front of her.Dot Came for a Porch Pumpkin. Moose Came for Every Smell in the Patch.
Smiling grandma in a tan quilted vest sits on a bench near the beach boardwalk with her arm around a black Labrador.The Ocean Was Right There, but Moose Had Something Better in MindGrandma in a sage quilted vest sits in a wooden rocking chair as a big black Labrador sleeps on the floor in front of it.Dot's Rocking Chair Hasn't Moved All Afternoon, and There's a ReasonSmiling grandma in an olive quilted vest sits on a pickup tailgate at the edge of a field, hugging a black Labrador.The Harvest Was Done, So Dot Dropped the Tailgate and Sat a WhileGrandma in an olive quilted vest holds a glass of lemonade on her porch as a black Labrador leans in to sniff it.Dot Poured Herself Some Lemonade. A Big Black Nose Appeared Instantly.