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An older man in a knit cap picks apples into a basket while a blue merle Border Collie sniffs fallen apples on the grass. 9 / 39

Grandpa Earl Handled the High Branches. Skye Took Charge of Everything on the Ground.

AI imageborder collieapple orchardautumn

Autumn has arrived in the orchard. Grandpa Earl, a gray knit cap pulled over his ears and an olive work shirt under his overalls, stretches one arm up into the branches to pluck a shiny red apple. A wicker basket hangs from his other hand, already half full. The trees around him are heavy with fruit, and the grass below is dotted with windfalls and crinkled yellow leaves. Skye has taken charge of the ground level, nose down and tail high, inspecting each fallen apple as if she is conducting a very serious quality check.

A few bites of apple can be a nice, crunchy treat for many dogs, as long as the core, stem, and seeds are removed, since seeds contain compounds that can be harmful. Fallen orchard fruit is a different matter. Apples that have been on the ground for a while can start to ferment or grow mold, and eating them can upset a dog's stomach or worse. Dogs that gobble too many apples may also end up with tummy trouble. In an orchard, it is wise to keep an eye on what your dog is snacking on and redirect the nose when needed.

For now, Skye seems more interested in sniffing than eating, which is the ideal kind of orchard help. Earl handles the high branches, she handles the ground, and the basket slowly fills.

Later there will probably be pie, and Skye will probably be in the kitchen pretending she had nothing to do with any missing slices.

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