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An older man in overalls and a plaid shirt tucks a cream knit blanket around a blue merle Border Collie in a round dog bed. 2 / 39

Every Night Grandpa Earl Has One Last Job Before Bed. Skye Waits for It.

AI imageborder colliebedtimegrandpa

Bedtime in this house comes with full service. Grandpa Earl leans over a plush round dog bed, glasses perched on his nose, carefully folding a cream knit blanket up around Skye's chin. His plaid sleeves are rolled to the elbow, his overalls are dusty from the day, and his weathered hands move slowly, like he is tucking in a grandchild. Skye lies curled in the bed with her fluffy merle tail wrapped around her, gazing up at him with soft amber eyes as if she is perfectly used to this treatment.

Behind them, a sunny window with a thin white curtain, a pair of work boots by a wicker basket, and a rope toy on the rug tell the rest of the story: a long day outside, and now some rest.

A good dog bed really can make a difference, especially as dogs age. Look for one that supports the whole body and is easy to wash, since medium and long coats like a Border Collie's shed onto everything. Bolstered beds like this one appeal to dogs who like to curl up and lean against something. Place the bed somewhere away from drafts and hard traffic, and many dogs settle better if it sits near where their people spend time. A blanket is optional, but some dogs clearly enjoy a cozy layer, particularly on cool nights. If an older dog seems stiff when getting up, talk to your vet about joint comfort.

Whether Skye actually needed the blanket is beside the point. Earl wanted to tuck her in, and she was gracious enough to let him.

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