Browse ›
Older Black woman in a yellow cardigan cradles a wet white Bichon Frise wrapped in a plaid blanket by the front door. 22 / 37

The Rainy Walk Left Cotton Soaked to the Bone. Grandma Loretta Had the Fix.

AI imagebichon friserainy daydrying off

Rain is still streaking down the window, and puddles have followed them inside onto the wooden floor. Grandma Loretta, in a mustard-yellow cardigan, has scooped Cotton into her arms and wrapped him snugly in a soft plaid blanket. The little Bichon's usually bouncy white curls are soaked flat and stringy, and only his damp face and one paw peek out of the wrap. He looks up at the camera with big dark eyes, a little sorry for himself but clearly comforted. Behind them, wet rain boots and a dripping umbrella stand by the door, and a houseplant sits on the windowsill.

Bichon Frises have a dense, curly coat that holds water, so drying them properly after a rainy walk matters. Blot rather than rub with an absorbent towel, which helps prevent tangles, and pay attention to the undercoat close to the skin, where moisture can linger and lead to irritation or mats. Many owners finish with a hair dryer on a low, cool setting, held at a safe distance, while gently brushing the curls straight. Check and dry the ears, since Bichons can be prone to ear problems, and wipe the paws to remove grit or chemicals picked up from wet sidewalks. Keep them somewhere warm until fully dry.

Cotton may not have loved the weather, but he certainly loves being rescued. A warm blanket and a gentle hug are the perfect fix for a soggy afternoon.

More from this collection

All 37 →
Smiling older Black woman at a patio table with avocado toast and berries strokes a white Bichon Frise beside her.Avocado Toast, Fresh Berries and One Fluffy Face Waiting at the Edge of the TableSmiling older Black woman sits on a low dock with her feet in a pond while a white Bichon Frise stands in the shallows.Grandma Dipped Her Toes in the Pond. Cotton Wasn't Going to Stay on Dry Land.
Older Black woman in glasses picks a red apple from a tree as a white Bichon Frise sniffs fallen apples in the grass.Grandma Was Picking Apples From the Tree. Cotton Found the Ones on the Ground.Older Black woman with glasses on her head reads a newspaper in an armchair as a white Bichon Frise sleeps on her lap.Grandma Sat Down With the Morning Paper. Cotton Didn't Make It Past Page One.Smiling older Black woman holds a sandwich on a wooden garden bench while a white Bichon Frise sits in front of her.Grandma Brought Her Sandwich Out to the Garden Bench. Cotton Brought the Stare.Older Black woman sips iced lemonade through a straw on a shady porch as a white Bichon Frise leans in to sniff the glass.Grandma Loretta Poured a Tall Glass of Lemonade. Cotton Had Questions About It.