Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-15
A CANINE LAVAT0RY.
COMPLETE BATH HOUSE FOR THE
DOGS OF GOTHAM.


DOGS OF GOTHAM.
Swimming Pools. Shampooing Rooms and
Combiug Levees for the Four Footed
Pets of New York's Fashionable People.
Florida Water. Infaut Powder, Musk.
Sixth avenue on q sunny afternoon sees the
shopping life of the metropolis poured out on
new bonnets and men in search Of new faces,
but there is no more interesting spectacle in
all its long promenade Of pleasure seekers
than the long haired dogs led by their fair
mistressee to the bath. 1t is easy enough to
battle short haired dog at home. Many a
fluffy Skye, indeed. is plunged into the same
perfumed water from which his gentle owner
has just emerged. The poodle, so obnoxious
to good taste from masculine point Of view,
and the dainty but ugly King Charles spaniel
are often as handsomely treated; but good
big dogs, with the hirsute adornment natural
to any Of the long haired variety, such as
Newfouadlands, Irish settlers, shepherd dogs,
water spaniels, Skyes or the long haired St
Bernards, are not so easily laved. Nor is it
desirable that such pet should enjoy the
privileges Of bis owners lavatory. There
are dog doctors and dog boarding house
keepers. The evolution Of the dogs bath
house was only question of time.
Professional jealousy prevents many of the
fanciers breeders. trainers and keepers from
even admitting the existence of such place
There is no sign in front of the door and no
indication of any kind Of the nature of the
establishment within. Access without intro
duction by some patron or friend is absolutely
unattainsble. One might walk past the
street entrance for weeks without suspecting
it But once inside the door which separates
the commonplace front entry from the watery
mysteries within, a novel and attractive
scene opens to the view. The back hall Of
what seems to be small shop Of the miscel
laneous variety opens into rectangular
anteroom the whole width Of the building
This Is the vestibule in which a half dozen
solicitous guardians of mans best friend"
are waiting their favorites' turns at the
swimming pool, the shampooing room. or
the scented brushes which unwind the thick
est tangles and give the entire canine coat a
silky uniformity dear to the dog lovers
heart.
AN EXCLUSIVE SWIM
People who deem their dogs worthy Of the
highest care never consent to their being
bathed in the same water that other dogs
have used. There is a general Swimming
pool in which ours of low degree, "Tray,
Blanche, Sweetheart" and the rest, may dis
port themselves simultaneously and without
extra charge. Such batbers may be dried
with big sponge and conbed out afterwards
for quarter of dollar each. An exclusive
swim, with the subsequent ceremonies costs
fifty cents Special perfume for the brushes
and combs used in obstinate snarls adds
quarter more to the tariff. and the most lux
urious accommodations the house affords are
to be had by big dog for a round dollar of
his masters or mistress money
At4 O'Clock the other afternoon the dogs
bath house was bedlam of petticoats and
shaggy pets, Most of the women who afford
such luxuries for their pets are used to seeing
each other there, and have more or less of a
speaking acquaintance. A private sitting
room is prov ided upstairs for patrons who do
not care to sit in the general reception room
while their favorites are cleansed, crimped
and clarified 1t is rarely used The love Of
dogs IS common bond between all its pos
SCISSORS, strong enough IN most cases to lead
them to waive the formaities of human in
-ercourse. The owner may not see the ami
nal washed, nor enter the swimming pool
put when Fido or Nero is having his damp
ocks combed out to their wonted silky
;plendor OF brushed into polish Of bronze,
MS master or mistress Is permitted to occupy
seat in the combing room and see the thing
we'll done. An extra tip often rewards the
specially conscientious attendant
A dog shampoo is the best Of the whole
business Even the attendants enjoy it The
hampooers are muscular irishu1en, and the
way they rub dog down IL caution TO
ats" When the subject is small or OF me-
iium size one Of these brawny fellows does
iuty at the general swimming tank while tbs
,ther shampoos the dripping swimmers as
hey climb the steps But for big New
oundland, or St Bernard. or shepherd. who
ugs something Ike a hundredweight OF
water out of the pool with hirn, and is about
Is manageable as porpoise would be in a
vaterspout, both men are required 20 use al
heir skill and muscle
REGISTERING THEIR NAMES.
Before these watery rites are begun the
,ather's master may, and generally does,
ecord the dogs name in visitors book,
hat is a regular feature Of the establish
nent The book Is exactly ike the bath
,ouse registers seen IN some Of the big sun
,ariors and bathing houses at Coney Island |
Iong Branch and Atlantic City, except that /
I is heater than many Of them Some OF tie |
,wners register their own names as well a. |
hose Of their dogs
Here are some Of the entries IN the book;
Nero, q big. black Newfoundland weigh |
ng $50 d., leather sash; Florida water e1-
IA
Zip, biue Skye terrier, blue ribbon about 4
leck. with medal showing owners name and
ddress. infant powder and musk. extras
''Centaur, large St Bernard, collar OF Sir
-er sad leather showing name and address;
Ill
The entries are easily understood Nero.
OF example. had bis leash taken OF and iezs
,efore going into toe pool Then he bad
uecisl. doeche Of Florids water wher be
.arne Our, costing fifteen cents sdditlouaL
I'D left Of bis heck riboou and medal oefore
aking the plunge, YVES perfau,ed With dash
Z musk when rubbed drT and then pow
cred Ceutaurs collar was removed wosn
e registered and ne had special Ezszssiiseizs
nth refined kerosene c.l woen his ADDITIONS
al t.=e,a otherwise csozlc.uci<d for Teas