The Garden Chores Were Half Done When Grandma Edie Found the Perfect Pillow

Gardening gloves, a blue watering can, and a pair of slippers lie abandoned on the grass, which tells you exactly how the afternoon went. Somewhere between chores, Grandma Edie stretched out on the lawn in her navy quilted vest and pink shirt and rested her cheek on the softest pillow she owns: Moose. The big Saint Bernard lies flat on the grass, eyes closed, front paws stretched out, completely content to be used as a cushion. Potted flowers and a folded blanket sit near the house, waiting for someone who is no longer in any hurry.

Lying on the lawn with a dog sounds idyllic, and it can be, with a few precautions. Check grass for recent fertilizer or weed treatments before letting a dog roll and nap there, since some lawn chemicals can irritate paws and skin. Ticks and fleas also love tall grass, so regular checks and a vet-recommended prevention plan are worth keeping up. Saint Bernards can overheat in direct sun, so a shady spot like this one is ideal, along with fresh water nearby when they wake. Big dogs often enjoy cool ground on warm days, which may be part of why Moose looks so blissful.

There is something wonderfully honest about a nap on the grass. No pillows, no alarms, just the smell of earth and the steady breathing of a friend beneath your head. Grandma Edie will get back to the garden eventually. For now, Moose has her covered.