Question
Read the following two sets of directions. In a well-organized paragraph identify which set of instructions is superior and why (give three reasons). Be sure to support your analysis with examples and quotes from the passages.
Passage A: Bathing a Samoyed
Most pet owners take for granted the grooming of their dogs, casually hosing them down or dragging them to the tub. Most dogs eventually learn to accept baths as part of the normal cycle of dog living. Some dogs, however, not only dislike the periodic bathing that their owners inflict, they also make the bathing ritual a torment. Samoyeds, for example, have thick, tight fur that resists water and soap; in addition, their massive heads and heavy bodies, averaging about eighty pounds, create problems. Along with these natural barriers to bathing, Samoyeds readily demonstrate their disdain for the procedure by pulling away forcibly from owners who have “Now, it’s time for a bath” looks in their eyes. In spite of the difficulties, bathing a Samoyed is both possible and necessary-for the dog’s skin and the owner’s sense of smell. First, gather all the equipment. This includes a full bottle of dog shampoo, a pitcher for wetting and rinsing, a dozen towels, and an extra set of clothing for you and your helper (yes, you need a helper). With your partner’s help, grab the dog and start dragging him to the bathroom. Once in, each of you needs to grab half a dog and attempt to lift him into the tub. This is no easy feat, because Samoyeds squirm constantly. Once the dog is in the bathtub, adjust the water temperature to warm but not hot (dogs can be picky). Fill your pitcher with water and begin wetting the dog while your partner holds him. Be careful around his head, watching out for his eyes and ears. He’ll let you know if you get water in his eyes; be prepared for a soaking. Completely saturate the dog’s coat, and make sure you don’t forget his belly just because it’s underneath. Next, pour a handful of shampoo into your palm and start massaging it into the dog’s hair. Scrub as hard as you like; he won’t mind. In fact, he’ll enjoy it very much. Wash his neck, back, tail, stomach, and legs completely. Now, fill your pitcher again and start rinsing the dog around his neck. Be prepared to refill your pitcher at least a dozen times because Samoyeds have thick hair. Continue until the dog is completely rinsed. You can tell when you’re done by running your hands through the fur afterwards. You’ll be able to feel the soap if there’s any left. Next, remove the dog from the bathtub. He will probably jump out gladly, splashing half the water in the tub all over you and the bathroom. Give your partner a towel and take one for yourself. Start at opposite ends and dry the dog; it will easily take the dozen towels you put out earlier. After about twenty minutes, stop and feel the hair. It should be dry. If you still think you could give a Samoyed a bath, here’s your chance. Mine needs one. Pick him up anytime.
Passage B: How to Bathe Your Dog
When it’s time to give either Fido or Fifi a bath, you need to know the proper way to bathe him or her. You should also know that dogs should be bathed only when they are dirty or when they need a flea bath. Too much bathing removes the natural oils in their skin and fur, and can leave their skin dried out and flaky. This can cause frequent scratching, too.
To start, the best place to bathe your dog is in the bathtub or in a utility tub. Only bathe your dog outside if your water hose has both hot and cold water connected to it.
A rubber mat should be placed in the bottom of the tub so your dog’s feet don’t slide around, and so he or she will feel more secure and safe. Most dogs don’t care to be bathed anyhow, so you need to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Speaking of comfortable, the water temperature in the tub should be lukewarm, not too hot or cold.
You will need several towels (depending on the length and thickness of your dog’s fur), dog shampoo, and cotton balls. You can use baby shampoo in a pinch, but it is generally not recommended for use on a dog.
Next, place a cotton ball in each of your dog’s ears, just inside the canal, not too far inside. This will help to keep water out of his or her ears. Place your dog in the tub and thoroughly wet his or her coat down with the spray hose. Then, start with the main body and begin to lather it with the dog shampoo. Work the shampoo into a thick, rich lather. If you are using flea shampoo, some brands recommend leaving the suds on the dog’s body for a minute or so. Read the directions on the bottle and follow them carefully in order to achieve the desired results. Lather the main body, stomach, legs, feet, and tail.
Last, pour a small amount of shampoo into your hands and gently lather up the fur around the face and on the head. Be careful not to get the lather into your dog’s eyes. Wait any prescribed amount of time if you are using flea shampoo.
Now, when you rinse off all of the suds, carefully rinse the face and head first. Cover your dog’s eyes with your hand and gently rinse off the top of the head and around the eyes. Then, gently cover your dog’s nose and rinse off the rest of the face and neck. Next, work your way down the body, making sure to rinse out all of the suds and shampoo residue.
Remove the cotton balls from his or her ears and gently squeeze out any excess water in your dog’s tail, feet, etc.–anywhere the fur is long.
Use the towels to damp-dry his or her coat. If the weather is warm enough, your dog can be left to air-dry after the initial towel drying. If the weather is cold, however, you should use a hair dryer set on the lowest setting to dry his or her coat thoroughly. Be careful to hold the hair dryer far enough away that he or she doesn’t get burned by it. Also, if your dog is long-haired, it would be a good idea to comb his or her fur at this time.
And, finally, your dog is clean, fresh and sweet-smelling once again!
