Grandpa Earl Turned On the Hose to Rinse the Car. Domino Had Been Waiting All Day.
The car is only half rinsed, and that's not likely to change soon. Grandpa Earl, in shorts, a blue T-shirt, and his ever-present fishing vest, is aiming the garden hose with a sly grin, and Domino has gone full splash mode. The harlequin Great Dane is rearing up on his hind legs, one front paw braced against the wet car door, mouth wide open as he snaps at the arc of water shooting over his head. Droplets fly everywhere, glittering in the sun. The driveway is littered with garden gloves, potted herbs, a red ball, and a watering can, and an open garage stuffed with odds and ends waits in the background.
Lots of dogs love chasing water from a hose, and on a warm day it's a fun way to cool off. A few precautions help. Water sitting in a hose under the sun can be scalding at first, so let it run cool before spraying. Keep the pressure gentle and avoid aiming directly into a dog's face, ears, or mouth, as some dogs gulp a lot of water while playing, which can upset the stomach. For giant breeds like Great Danes, rearing and jumping on slick surfaces can strain joints, so a grassy area is a better playground than wet concrete. Car soaps and chemicals should be rinsed off thoroughly.
Earl may need a second round of soap for the car. Judging by that grin, he planned it this way all along.
