The first time I used a peach-scented spray on my dog

The first time I used a peach-scented spray on my dog, I didn’t expect to start a whole new chapter in our grooming routine. It was one of those spontaneous pet shop buys—cute packaging, a soft pastel bottle with a picture of a golden retriever smiling on the label, and the words “Fresh Peach Bliss” written in curly script. I figured it couldn’t hurt. After all, who doesn’t want their dog to smell like fruit instead of, well… dog?

My pup, a stubborn yet lovable beagle named Milo, watched with suspicion as I unscrewed the cap. He’s no stranger to baths or grooming—he tolerates them, like taxes or Monday mornings. But the spray? That was new. I gave it a tentative puff in the air first. The scent hit me immediately: warm, sweet, and a little tangy. Like summer picnic desserts or those gummy peach rings you can’t stop eating. I smiled. Milo sniffed the air. His tail wagged once—cautiously.

So I went for it.

One spritz on his back.

He froze.

Then came the zoomies. Full-on wild loops around the living room, paws skidding across the hardwood like he was being chased by the ghost of a vacuum cleaner. I thought maybe he hated it. But after a few laps, he stopped, sat down, and started sniffing himself. Then he licked his shoulder. Then he sneezed.

I watched, unsure whether I’d ruined his trust or made his day.

An hour later, he climbed onto the couch beside me and fell asleep, his head resting on my leg. The peach scent lingered, mixing with his usual earthy dog smell in the weirdest, most comforting way. My mom walked in and asked, “What smells so good?”

“Milo,” I said, proudly.

Now it’s become a little ritual. Bath day isn’t over until the final peach spritz. He still gets a little dramatic with the zoomies, but I think that’s part of the charm now. He even seems to enjoy it—or at least the extra cuddles he gets afterward.

I still don’t know if he loves smelling like fruit salad. But I know I do.