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An older man sits on a wooden bench on a beach boardwalk as a blue merle Border Collie stretches up to sniff his face. 27 / 39

Grandpa Earl Sat Down on the Boardwalk to Rest. Skye Had Something to Check First.

AI imageborder colliebeach boardwalksummer

Sea grass rustles behind the rope railing, and the boardwalk planks are dusted with sand. Grandpa Earl sits on a weathered bench by the beach, his plaid shirt and overalls a little out of place among the beach bags and flip-flops nearby, but he looks perfectly content. He leans down with a gentle smile as Skye stretches her neck up to sniff his face, her nose just inches from his cheek. A tote bag stuffed with a towel and a water bottle sits on the boards, along with a pair of shoes someone kicked off on the way to the sand.

Beach days with dogs can be wonderful, but they come with their own checklist. Sand and boardwalk boards can get very hot in the sun, so test the surface with your hand before letting paws touch it. Bring plenty of fresh water, because dogs that drink salt water can get sick. Provide shade and watch for signs of overheating, such as heavy panting or sluggishness, which are especially important for double-coated breeds. Rinse sand and salt from the coat afterward, and check local rules, since many beaches have specific dog hours or leash requirements.

Skye does not seem to be thinking about any of that right now. She is more interested in checking on Earl, giving him the kind of close-up sniff dogs reserve for their favorite people.

The ocean will still be there in a few minutes. For now, the bench and the breeze are plenty.

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An older man in overalls sips lemonade on a shady wooden porch while a blue merle Border Collie sits beside his chair.Too Hot for Chores, So Grandpa Earl Poured a Lemonade. Skye Took Up Her Post.An older man in a cap sprays an old car with a hose while a wet, grinning blue merle Border Collie stands in the driveway.Grandpa Earl Only Meant to Wash the Car. Skye Turned It Into Something Else.An older man has tea and a biscuit at a lace-covered table while a blue merle Border Collie rests a paw on the table.Grandpa Earl Brought Out the Good Lace Tablecloth. His Tea Guest Had Four Legs.An older man stitches patchwork quilt squares while a blue merle Border Collie sleeps on a pile of fabric scraps beside him.Grandpa Earl Cut All the Quilt Squares and Stacked Them Up. Then Skye Found the Pile.