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A grandma in glasses and a green quilted vest sits on a boardwalk bench hugging a happy Saint Bernard, beach behind them. 17 / 36

After a Long Walk on the Boardwalk, Grandma Edie Found the Best Seat by the Sea

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The boardwalk stretches toward the dunes, its weathered planks pale in the low sun. Grandma Edie has settled onto a wooden bench with her white hair in a loose bun, wearing her green quilted vest over a cozy blue sweater, and she wraps an arm around Moose while beaming at him through her glasses. The Saint Bernard sits close against her knees, tongue out and face relaxed. Their beach bags, a pink knit hat, a water bottle, and a jumble of jackets crowd the other end of the bench, signs of a long and happy outing.

A trip to the beach can be a treat for dogs, especially in the cooler months when the sand and boardwalk are not scorching. In summer, hot sand and boards can burn paws, so testing the surface with the back of your hand is a smart habit. Dogs should not drink salt water, which can cause stomach upset and worse in large amounts, so packing fresh water, as Grandma Edie did, is wise. Heavy-coated breeds like Saint Bernards do best at the shore early or late in the day, with plenty of shade and rest. Rinsing salt and sand from the coat afterward helps keep skin comfortable.

There is a calm that only seems to happen near the ocean. The wind, the sound of waves, and a loyal friend pressed against your side turn a simple bench into the best seat in town. Moose clearly agrees.

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A grandma in a green quilted vest paints a landscape at an easel in the backyard while a Saint Bernard lies on the grass.Grandma Edie Set Up Her Easel to Paint the Yard. The Best Subject Was Lying at Her Feet.A grandma in glasses and a navy quilted vest sits on a wooden dock holding a fishing rod beside a Saint Bernard.The Fish Weren't Biting, but Grandma Edie's Fishing Buddy Had Other IdeasA grandma in a dark quilted vest reads a yellowed letter in an armchair while a Saint Bernard rests its head on her lap.Grandma Edie Unfolded a Letter She'd Kept for Decades. Moose Knew Exactly What to Do.A laughing grandma in a green quilted vest holds a rake as a Saint Bernard leaps through a pile of orange autumn leaves.Grandma Edie Spent an Hour Raking the Perfect Leaf Pile. It Lasted Two Seconds.