Grandma Bea's Glasses Weren't on Her Face. They'd Found a New Owner on the Boardwalk.
The boardwalk planks are sandy and weathered, and beach bags, towels, flip-flops, and a jumble of toys spill across them after a long day by the shore. Grandma Bea sits on a wooden bench in her oatmeal cable-knit cardigan, silver hair tousled by the sea breeze, and she cannot stop smiling at Dumpling. The white Bulldog sits pressed against her knee with a pair of her glasses perched crookedly on his wrinkled nose, looking up at her like a very distinguished professor. A water bottle rests on the bench, and the beach stretches behind the railing in the distance.
A day at the shore can be fun for dogs, but Bulldogs need some extra care. Their short muzzles make them prone to overheating, so beach visits are best kept short and in cooler hours, with plenty of shade and fresh water. Bulldogs are also generally poor swimmers because of their heavy chests and short legs, so a well-fitted canine life jacket is a must near water. Hot sand and boards can burn paws, so test surfaces with your hand. After the beach, rinse off salt and sand, and dry their wrinkles thoroughly to avoid irritation.
As for the glasses, Grandma Bea may need them back eventually. But for now, it is hard to argue with a look that suits him so well. Dumpling seems to think he is ready to read the newspaper, or at least the beach menu.
