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An older man in glasses scrubs a soapy white Poodle sitting in a galvanized metal tub in a backyard. 3 / 33

Earl Filled the Old Metal Tub in the Yard. Pearl Knew Exactly What That Meant.

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Out behind the gray clapboard house, the old galvanized tub has been filled with sudsy water, and Pearl is sitting in it with the patient, slightly resigned look of a dog who knows bath day cannot be avoided. Her white curls are soaked and flattened, her ears hang heavy with water, and bubbles float all around her. Earl leans over the rim in his work shirt and overalls, glasses perched on his nose, gently working a sponge along her back with a grin that says he is enjoying this far more than she is.

Poodles need more grooming than many breeds because their coat keeps growing and does not shed much, which means loose hair stays trapped in the curls. Without regular brushing, that coat can mat quickly, especially after a bath if it is left to air-dry tangled. Many owners brush thoroughly before bathing, use a shampoo made for dogs rather than people, and rinse very well so no soap residue is left to irritate the skin. Lukewarm water is more comfortable than cold, and it helps to keep water out of the ears, since floppy ears can trap moisture. Most Poodles also need professional clipping every several weeks to keep the coat manageable.

Pearl may not be thrilled right now, but in an hour she will be fluffy, clean, and prancing around the yard like she planned the whole thing. Earl will probably need a towel too.

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