The White Rug Was Brand New. Then the Chocolate Poodle Came Inside.
The rug was pure white at breakfast. Now a chocolate-brown Poodle sits on it with mud on her nose, her chest and her paws, leaving brown smears across the fluffy fibers. Her curly ears hang down on each side of her face, and her dark eyes look up with a polite, worried expression. A basket of laundry, a pair of slippers and a few blue toys wait quietly in the background. Everything about her says she had a wonderful time outside. We'll call her Brownie, and she's very sorry about the rug.
Poodles are bright, athletic dogs that were originally bred as water retrievers, so a love of splashing in muddy puddles is part of their heritage. Their curly coat doesn't shed much, but it holds on to dirt, so regular brushing and grooming are important to prevent mats. A towel by the door and a quick wipe-down of the paws can save your rug, and a washable mat gives muddy feet a place to land. If your Poodle is very dirty, a bath with a dog shampoo is fine, and your groomer or vet can recommend how often. Their sharp minds love games and training too.
Brownie sits perfectly still, hoping the mud will somehow go unnoticed. It won't, but she makes a pretty picture anyway. A bath and a good towel-off are coming, and then she'll probably lie on the clean rug again as if nothing happened.
