Some inventions flop. A shag covered alarm clock that hides might just be one of those. Some inventions are a hit. If only we all knew about the "hits" and signed on to the stock options early on, right? Well, here's one to put into the "hit" category. A dog washing machine!
It's been a while since I've had to bathe a dog. Of my own dogs, I am pretty sure that 2/3 of them hate water. The 1/3 that enjoys being wet is hard to get out of the water, actually; but that's water she shouldn't play in, like city fountains. (My apologies to the city crews in my hometown for her splashing antics!)
Working in veterinary clinics, though, I've given plenty of baths. Sometimes it's just for cleanliness's sake; but more often than not, it's after some disgusting removal of whole body maggots or a parvo puppy. I'm sure neither would be allowed in the new dog washing machine, so it's not going to help me out in the long run. I'm sure there's some "healthy pet" rule, which is wonderful.
I still think it's quite humorous, though, to think of any dog getting hit up with 37 jets of shooting water. Can you imagine what's going through that dog's mind? It might be something like this:
Owner: We're going on a car trip.
Dog: Woof. Woof. (tongue wags)
Owner: C'mon Fido, hop in!
Dog: Woof. Woof. Thinks: Wow, fresh air and windows to slobber on, la dah de dah, this is great!
Owner: (arriving at pet store) Let's go get a bath.
Dog: Woof. Woof. (Wags tail.) Thinks: Cool. It's not the vet's office. Oooh...new smells. Who's been here? What are they doing?
Owner: C'mon Fido, hop in to this big circular thing and let me lock you in for a bath.
Dog: (Turns head to side.) Thinks: Silly human. I'm not getting in THAT.
Owner: Come. On. You'll love it.
Dog: (Lays down.) Thinks: No way. No how.
Owner: Have it your way. (Heaves all 75 pounds of dog into air, and pushes dog into washing machine.)
Dog: Bark. Bark. Thinks: This is the end of the world.
Owner: Be a good dog. (Quickly closes door and turns around. Can't watch as dog paws at washing machine.)
Dog: Bark. Bark. Thinks: @#$% ^&*! $%^& human!!
Owner: It's almost over.
Dog: (More forcefully now, and with feeling!) Bark. Bark. Bark. Thinks: I'm peeing on your favorite chair when we get home.
Owner: You're doing great, Fido. Think about how great you'll smell.
Dog: Bark. Bark. Bark. Thinks: You're not listening to me. I liked the wet grass and dirt smell I had before!
Owner: Whew. Dryer's on now...just a few more minutes.
Dog: Bark. Whine. Thinks: Huh. It's getting warm in here.
Owner: (Opens door.) Okay, time to go.
Dog: (Hops out. Shakes vigorously.) Mmm....papaya...such a delicate, yet bold, scent. What did I inhale while I was in there?
So, you can see that even if your dog enjoys water, she may not enjoy the new dog washing machine. But I would still bet that for the millions of Americans who love their dogs, and especially those who love their dogs clean, this will catch on quick.
(And for one reporter's actual account of using the new dog washing machine, check out Mike Pearson's experience here.)
Do you have a great dog-washing story? Post it in the comments!
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