Hand in Hand Through the Pumpkin Patch, With Rufus Leading the Way

Orange pumpkins of every size sit nestled among sprawling vines and fallen leaves, and the backyard patch has turned into an autumn stroll. Grandpa in a dark knit beanie and quilted green jacket holds Grandma's hand as they pick their way down the dirt path. She wears a pink knit hat and a soft cardigan, smiling at the harvest around her. Leading the way is Rufus, trotting forward with his nose low and his tail up, a brown leather collar around his neck and his long ears swinging. A wooden fence and a neighbor's house peek through the trees behind them.

Fall outings are a treat for scent hounds, since leaves, soil and vines are packed with interesting smells. A few seasonal tips can help. Plain cooked pumpkin is often considered safe for dogs in small amounts, but pumpkin stems, leaves and raw rinds are hard to digest, and decorative pumpkins that have started to rot can grow mold. Fallen leaf piles can hide sticks, mushrooms or other things you would rather your dog not eat, so keep an eye on what that nose finds. And as the days grow shorter, reflective collars or leashes help keep walkers and dogs visible at dusk.

There is no rush to pick a favorite pumpkin. On a crisp afternoon like this, the walk itself is the whole point, and Rufus is determined to sniff every last one of them first.