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A smiling grandma in glasses and a green quilted vest rests her hand on a Saint Bernard in a frosted autumn garden. 2 / 36

The Garden Was Done for the Year. Moose Insisted on One Last Inspection.

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Autumn has had its way with the backyard garden. The vines are dry and curling, a few small pumpkins hide among the fallen leaves, and the tall stalks are turning gold and brown. Right in the middle of it all, Grandma Edie laughs behind her glasses, one hand resting on Moose's broad back. She wears her green quilted vest over a plaid shirt, and Moose stands proudly beside her, tongue out, looking very pleased to be part of the end-of-season inspection.

Fall gardens can be fun for dogs, but a few things are worth knowing. Raw pumpkin flesh and plain cooked pumpkin are generally fine in small amounts, but moldy or rotting pumpkins and decorative gourds left out for weeks can upset a dog's stomach. Fallen leaves sometimes hide mushrooms, which can be dangerous, so it helps to keep an eye on a curious nose. Big dogs like Saint Bernards also tend to plow straight through garden beds, so a clear path or a bit of fencing can save the last of the harvest. If your dog eats something you are unsure about, talk to your vet.

There is a special kind of peace in walking a garden after the busy season is over. Nothing needs picking in a hurry, the air smells like leaves, and a loyal friend is happy to stroll the rows with you. For Grandma Edie and Moose, that is a very good afternoon.

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A white-haired grandma in a cream puffer jacket offers a sandwich to a Saint Bernard while sitting on a wooden bench.Grandma Edie Sat Down to Eat Lunch Alone. That Lasted About Four Seconds.A smiling white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest sits at a lace-covered tea table beside a large Saint Bernard.Grandma Edie Set the Table for Tea. Somebody Invited Himself to Sit at It.
A white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest holds a vanilla ice cream cone as a Saint Bernard licks the top.The Deal Was One Tiny Lick of Ice Cream. Moose Read the Fine Print Differently.A grandma in a green quilted vest scrubs a dark car with a sponge while a wet Saint Bernard bounds through hose spray.Grandma Edie Just Wanted a Clean Car. Moose Saw the Hose and Got Ideas.A white-haired grandma in a green quilted vest naps on a porch swing with a Saint Bernard asleep against her side.Grandma Edie Sat on the Porch Swing for a Minute. Moose Had Other Plans for Her Lap.A white-haired grandma in a navy quilted vest lies asleep on the lawn with her head resting on a sleeping Saint Bernard.The Garden Chores Were Half Done When Grandma Edie Found the Perfect Pillow