Dear
Aunt Foley: We are puppies barely a few months old. Why do we need
baths? How dirty could we have gotten in a matter of weeks? - Huck and
Elvis
Dear
Huck and Elvis: First of all, it is always good when pups write in.
It keeps the column fresh. I know you weren’t with us when I was on
that mortal side of the Bridge but you should know I was kind of a big
deal. Now on to your question.
There
are two schools of thought on this. The first one is that we are dogs.
We are descended from wolves, we are meant to be outside, and anyone
outside gets dirty. We should be able to bathe on our own schedule and
where we want: Ponds, swamps, big puddles, whatever comes in handy.
But humans always think they know better than nature and insist on
doing things their own way, bathing us to make us smell something other
than our natural smell, which is God awful stank. Humans do care for
us, feed us, pick up our poo, and love us, so letting them bathe us now
and then is a fair price to pay. But if you feel they are overdoing it
jump out of the tub and run around the house shaking. That usually
teaches them not to over bathe you.
But
I must admit that I was part of that small minority of dogs who loved
getting baths. I wasn’t crazy about being wet, but the pampering, the
gentle massaging, the attention, and the clean smell were all for me. I
was a bit of a girly dog. Also I always wanted to please Mommy and she
never wanted a dirty pup on her lap. But I was in the minority and I
certainly respect the dogs who hate their bath.
So
once again humans, unless, like me, you have a bath loving dog, let
dogs decide when and where to bathe. We are much more attuned to our
only hygienic needs than you are.
If you can’t clean your own genitalia you shouldn’t be deciding when to clean someone else.
