Let’s begin with a confession. We showered our beloved mini schnauzer Scruffy with love every day of his nearly 15-year life.

We did not, however, shower his furry little body often enough. Too much mess. Too little time.

Sorry, Scruf. If only we had access then to The Little Dog Wash, 681 Kenosha St. (tucked in behind Daniels Express) in Walworth.

Game-changer.

Small but powerful is a good way to describe the space. It’s a separate structure, open 24-7, with everything a proud owner needs to keep their dog scrubbed and smelling pretty. Just bring the pup, open the door and everything needed is right there.

Get your dog good and wet, then pick oat or tearless shampoo and lather up. Use conditioner on the coat for that soft silky feel. A flea and tick soak and pet deodorizer are the next options. Finish the job with a pet vacuum and dryer and your dog comes out soft and fluffy and happy.

That’s it, all in 20 minutes or less. A single wash is $15 or choose the $25 a month club option, allowing four sessions if your pet likes to romp and get dirty.

Owner Jackie Chanson gave us the tour and our first question seemed obvious: “Where did you get this idea?”

Jackie, an energetic woman with a ready smile, couldn’t wait to answer.

“I’ve always been of the mindset, What can I bring to the community?” she told us. “What does Walworth, the Lake Geneva area, need? I want to give back. It brings me joy.”

Looking online, Jackie saw a company in Belvidere, Illinois that made equipment for car washes and dog washes. She’d never heard of the concept. Never saw one. But the idea fit her business plan.

About two years ago Jackie started a company from her home specializing in healthy organic dog treats. She called the business The Little Barkery – peanut butter apple is the staple flavor – and wholesaled the product to stores and shops in the region.

“The signature is a dog bone with the stamp of Lake Geneva,” she said. The business caught on because almost everybody is a dog fan.

“When I was up in the Northwoods we were in a couple of shops in Boulder Junction. They all had dog sections because everyone loves dogs,” she said. “I make cute little treats like a camper, a campfire, a little corn in a state of Wisconsin, and a little piece of cheese and package them up. They belong in a store. They’re gifty.”

The dog wash seemed like the next step, branded as The Little Dog Wash to go with The Little Barkery.

It’s only been open a little over a month but dog owners are finding it. The high so far has been 13 clean dogs in a day. The low is three. Customer reviews are positive: “Very clean. Super comfortable inside … nicely air conditioned on a warm summer day,” and, “I can now wash my dog and not have to spend 30 minutes cleaning my shower and bathroom … easily able to wash my 115-pound dog.”

Jackie’s inspiration is a 70-pound English Cream Retriever – think Golden Retriever, except white. Bessemer – named after a popular Upper Peninsula ski community – is Jackie’s first dog, shared with her husband Jake and 9-year-old son Miles. “Bessie,” Jackie said, is “the best dog. She’s so sweet. She’s just a little love.”

Bessie’s white fur, though, can get messy in a hurry.

“I wanted something simple for me to wash my white dog, who would roll in the most disgusting things,” Jackie said. “I would carry her upstairs to my shower so many times. I thought there has to be an easier way.”

She thought other dog owners would agree. Talking with others at farm markets, dog parks and the neighborhood, Jackie received encouragement to exercise her entrepreneurial chops by building the dog wash.

Now, one might think a small space devoted to washing dogs might quickly turn into a filthy furball of a mess. Not so. We stopped by unannounced to take a look and the space was spotless.

“I am very particular about keeping it clean,” Jackie said. “I don’t want people to say that it’s gross and dirty and disgusting. That would be my worst nightmare. I’m going once a day at least. Yesterday I went twice. I’m local. I live five minutes away.”

While the space is compact it is big enough to accommodate the biggest dogs around. And maybe not just dogs.

“If you want to bring your donkey in there, go ahead. All pets welcome,” Jackie said.

Well, the grandson has discovered he likes riding ponies.

Never say never.