Grooming

Two bottles sit on the shower ledge. One says shampoo, one says conditioner, and the order they get used in has become one of those small household arguments that people treat as settled when it is us

The dog smells like pond water and something older than pond water. It has been three weeks, maybe four. The collar has gone grey.

Dog shampoo occupies a narrow shelf in the pet store and an even narrower slice of most people's attention.