Brushing

No, not bats, but dogs.  (But if you want to brush a bat maybe this guide will help):

Regular brushing keeps your dog's coat healthy, clean and good looking.  Plus, it is a good bonding mechanism.  Brushing her lets her know you are taking care of her.  Tips:

1. Brush all: make sure to brush all over, not just her back.  Get behind the ears, the belly, legs, etc.

2. Time: I incorporate McKenzie's brushings into her going-out-to-potty time.  After removing booties, the brush is nearby and she knows the drill (she even gets excited).  Making it part of her routine helps her and me, and if I am rushing (late for work), then I'll do her back in the morning, and her belly when I get from work.  So, split the work.

3. Care: be gentle, but pay attention to her reactions: e.g., the hair behind her ears turns -- over time -- into thick hairballs that I have to eventually cut with scissors (so afraid to nick her skin), that is, unless I brush there regularly.  So I brush those spots gently, but have learned to watch her face to see if it is too much.  Other parts of the body also require careful brushing.

4.  Legs: don't forget the legs.  McKenzie has very fine, but long hair going all the way down past her 'heel' and for a long time I simply over-looked it.

5. Belly Time: I get her to lay on her back for a good belly brushing.  This, too, is a sensitive area, so go easy.

6. Matted Hair: according to how bad the mats are, you might have to use scissors.  McKenzie only needs a regular hit on the matting to eventually work it out over days, but this only happens if I get slack on regular brushing (which I have not in a long time).

Morning yard patrol complete Sir.  Please take off muh booties and brush me Sir.  Ty Sir!