Fire-types hate water, in almost all cases. Who can blame us? An attack based around water is one of the most ruinous and deadly things we can be hit by...so, our fear is justifiable. That being said, some fire-types can shrug off water as not that big a deal, and some may even enjoy wading around carefully. Not Chars though...Charmanders, Charmeleons, and Charizards all. Why? Our tailflame - the source of our fiery nature - is out there and exposed. Simple submersion of it into water for too long, and we lose it permanently. Which, naturally, is rather detrimental to our abilities and to our health...

When it comes to bathing, a Char normally takes a short dunk into lava if it is available - this obviously cleans the scales quite thoroughly. Another method if lava is not available is a more-involved use of the Char's own flame...basically, breathing a carefully-controlled firebreath onto their own body to clean it. Of course, these are all things wild Chars do. But what about a domesticated Char? Well, it comes down to needing to use water to bathe. Though, honestly, it would be more pleasant to bathe a cat than to bathe a Char...

Normally, anyways.

While a good washing is somewhat of a mundane activity, pet-owners (especially dog-owners) know that it's very important to clean up your pet regularly.   Guan, my owner, knows this as well. You can see where this leads to...

But...I trust my Master, and love him dearly. I know he'll never harm me... When bath-time comes, I know it: Guan runs the water just the right temperature, nice and hot, and then carries me into the restroom... With a light splish, I'm set slowly into the steaming water. I settle down on my rump, frontlegs in front of me, my tail instinctively kept flagged up several inches above the water... I am still, and patient. Guan is a wonderful Master - the pet shampoo he suds onto me never goes into my eyes and he gives a slow, firm lathering to push the soap and really clean under my scales. I go on all fours after a while, tippy-toeing for a moment to let him clean my underbelly and legs.

And my tail?... Well, that's always the last bit. Guan gently grips it in his lathered-up hand and scrubs upwards, closer and closer to the tip... He trusts me just as much as I trust him, which is obvious as he pulls his hand through my flame to lather my tailtip just a bit. I do not burn him as I can control my flame's heat - and I do not get frightened. Even as he rinses me...he uses the merest amount of water cupped in his hand to drizzle over my flame, causing my fire next to no harm while still cleaning the suds from my tailtip.

And then, he picks up my dripping, shiny form from the tub and wraps me in a towel, drying me off completely before letting my clean-butt scamper out of the restroom. <3

This picture was drawn up by   DesertWindProductions - specifically   Occoris, the artist of that two-person team. This was an amazing commission for only $10...specifically, it was done as part of an Iron Artist Challenge that Occoris is still doing here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1750101/

I've got to say that it was a total pleasure to commission Occoris. ^^ She struck the perfect balance of a professional and friendly attitude, being both cordial and timely with my commission. Truly a great gal to work with, so please check her out if you have a commission need. <3

The act of my Master   Guan bathing a firelizard like me is something me and him have mulled over before. The act is such a clear example as to how much I love and trust him...and how much he loves and trusts me as well. <3 I'm very happy to get this idea drawn out, because it's one of the most meaningful ideas I've thought up...I hope you all agree!

Also, for those who like REALLY HUGE PICTURES, the high-rez version of this is here: http://www.box.net/shared/m081qb9ipd