Grandpa Picked the Apples Off the Tree. Rufus Was Busy With a Different Job.
Late-day light slants across a backyard apple tree heavy with red fruit. Grandpa in his cap and plaid jacket has just plucked a shiny apple from a low branch, and Grandma in a cozy cardigan carries a canvas bag already half full. Down on the grass, Rufus is doing quality control. His nose is pressed to a fallen apple with a bite-sized nick in it, ears brushing the lawn, completely absorbed in the smells of the windfalls scattered around him. A watering can, a pair of boots and a coiled hose rest near the porch behind them.
Apples can be a healthy occasional treat for dogs, but there are a few things to know. The flesh is fine in small amounts, while the core and seeds should be removed, since seeds contain compounds that are not good for dogs and cores can be a choking hazard. Fallen fruit that has been sitting on the ground can also start to ferment, and eating a lot of it may upset a dog's stomach. During harvest season, it helps to pick up windfalls regularly so a scent hound like this one is not tempted to graze. If your dog eats a large amount of rotting fruit and seems unwell, talk to your vet.
For Rufus, though, the best part of apple season seems to be the treasure hunt. Every fallen apple is a mystery, and he plans to investigate each one personally.
