Ruth Was Washing the Car When Bruno Spotted the Hose
Soap suds slide down the side of an old dark car while Ruth leans in with a yellow sponge, her gray hoodie sleeves pushed up. Behind her, Bruno bounds across the wet driveway with his tongue out, mouth wide in a joyful grin, his white-tipped paws splashing through the spray from the green hose. A blue bucket full of soapy water sits in the corner of the frame, and fallen autumn leaves stick to the damp pavement. Plants in pots and a wooden fence line the yard. Everything shines with water and late afternoon sunlight.
Boxers are bouncy, athletic dogs and many love water games, so a hose is basically a toy. A little splashing on a warm day is a great way to burn off energy and cool down. Just keep soap and car cleaning products away from your dog, since many are not safe to drink or lick, and rinse any suds off his coat. Wet pavement can be slippery for a running dog, so keep an eye on his footing. Boxers have short noses, so they can overheat easily in hot weather, and shade and fresh water should be handy. Talk to your vet if you have questions about heat and exercise.
Ruth keeps scrubbing as though a soaked dog is part of the job. The car will get clean eventually, and Bruno is already having a perfect afternoon.
