I love dogs. They provide agreeable company, which was important for me when I lived by myself for many years. They can provide some sense of security, which was important for Leah since I worked away from home from the time we got married in 2005 until the time I retired in around 2015. They’re always glad to see you, and they hate to see you leave. They listen carefully to everything you say, although they don’t always do what you say. I think their sense of humor is admirable, since they seem to admire my jokes.

In addition to all of those sterling qualities, they also often shed profusely. When Leah and I get up, the rays of the rising sun come in the living room window and front door at a grazing angle, highlighting the dog hair on the floor. The hair seems to shine with an internal light against the dark hardwood floors. I swept this up one morning a few days ago.

We only have to do this every single morning. Some mornings there is even more than this.

I have had indoor dogs for more than 30 years. I found white hairs on my sweaters from Jesse, my first indoor dog, for years after she died. Doberman Pinschers shed, too, but their hair is dark and less noticeable. Zeke and Sam have lots of white hair, so theirs is very visible.

I use a special comb with sharp metal teeth to groom the dogs, and I routinely rub them vigorously with my hand. It usually looks like it’s snowing when I do that. But they still seem to shed as much indoors as they do when I don’t try to get the loose hair off.

I don’t really understand how they can shed as much as they do.