Browse ›
An elderly Asian American man sits behind the wheel of an old pickup in a garage with a fawn Boxer in the passenger seat. 32 / 33

Ken Opened the Truck Door, and Duke Didn't Wait to Be Asked

AI imageboxerpickup truckcar ride

The old pickup is parked in the garage, door open to the late-afternoon light, and Grandpa Ken is settled behind the big worn steering wheel. He wears a green sweater vest over a denim shirt and smiles proudly through his glasses. Riding shotgun, Duke sits tall on the passenger side, filling most of the frame with his broad fawn chest and white blaze, his gray-flecked muzzle and serious brown eyes giving him the air of a dignified co-pilot. Through the windshield, shelves of tools, buckets, and garden supplies line the garage walls, and a plaid blanket covers the seat behind him.

Many dogs love car rides, but safety matters every time. An unrestrained dog can be injured, or distract the driver, during sudden stops or turns. A crash-tested harness that clips into a seat belt, a secured crate, or a barrier in the back can all help keep your dog in place. Avoid letting dogs ride in open truck beds or hang far out of windows, where debris can injure eyes. Never leave a dog alone in a parked vehicle on a warm day, since temperatures inside can rise quickly. Boxers are especially sensitive to heat, so plan trips for cooler hours.

Wherever Ken and Duke are headed, a quick trip to the hardware store or a slow drive through the countryside, it's clear they've done this many times before. Some partnerships just fit, like an old truck and its favorite passenger.

More from this collection

All 33 →
An elderly Asian American man sorts black-and-white family photos on a table while a fawn Boxer rests its muzzle among them.Ken Spread Decades of Family Photos Across the Table. Duke Picked One Out.An elderly Asian American man in glasses and a brown sweater vest takes a selfie on a porch with a smiling fawn Boxer.Grandpa Ken Finally Figured Out the Selfie Camera. Duke Was Ready.
An elderly Asian American man in a sweater vest walks a fawn Boxer on a leash past vegetable stalls at a farmers market.Ken Went to the Farmers Market for Tomatoes. Duke Had a Different Agenda.An elderly Asian American man in a vest plants a tomato seedling as a fawn Boxer digs a hole in the soil beside him.Ken Planted One Tomato Seedling. Duke Decided It Needed a Bigger Hole.An elderly Asian American man naps in a recliner while a fawn Boxer rests its head on the armrest beside him.Grandpa Ken Fell Asleep During His Show. Duke Took the Night Shift.An elderly Asian American man sews quilt pieces while a fawn Boxer sleeps curled on the patchwork fabric in front of him.Ken Has Been Hand-Stitching This Quilt for Weeks. Duke Already Claimed It.