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An older Black woman pins white sheets to a clothesline while a happy white Maltese trots out from under the laundry. 17 / 26

Grandma Odessa Hung Out the Clean Sheets. Pearl Saw a Brand New Playground.

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A row of white sheets and pale blue towels hangs from the clothesline, swaying gently in the breeze. Grandma Odessa reaches up with a wooden clothespin, carefully fastening the corner of a sheet, her reading glasses pushed up on her silver hair and a soft smile on her face. A laundry basket overflowing with towels waits on the ground, and a watering can and potted plants sit by the old fence. Then there is Pearl, who has just come trotting out from under the sheets, mouth open in a happy little pant, white fur bouncing, looking delighted with herself, as though running through the laundry is the best game ever invented.

Line-drying laundry is a simple pleasure, and many people love the fresh smell of sun-dried sheets. When pets are around, keep a few things in mind. Clothespins, especially the small spring kind, can be a choking hazard if a dog decides to chew one. Laundry detergent pods and fabric softener sheets should always be stored well out of reach, as they can be harmful if swallowed. Socks and other small items left lying around are a common cause of digestive blockages in dogs. Tidying as you go keeps playtime safe.

Pearl clearly thinks the sheets are a giant play tunnel built just for her. Odessa does not seem to mind, as long as no muddy paws touch the clean laundry.

Some chores just go better with a little extra joy, and Pearl brings plenty.

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An older Black woman in a plaid shirt crouches in a backyard beside a white Maltese, with a tennis ball on the grass.Grandma Odessa Tossed the Tennis Ball. Pearl Had to Think About It First.A smiling older Black woman sits on a pickup tailgate at the edge of a field, holding a white Maltese in her lap.Grandma Odessa Dropped the Tailgate at the Edge of the Field. Pearl Claimed the Best Spot.An older Black woman in a green jacket walks a white Maltese on a blue leash through a backyard pumpkin patch at dusk.Some of These Pumpkins Are Bigger Than Pearl. She Inspected Every One.An older Black woman in a puffy coat shovels a snowy driveway while a white Maltese sits half buried in a snowbank.Grandma Odessa Shoveled for an Hour. Pearl Found a Better Use for the Snow.