Grandpa Earl Found a Bench on the Boardwalk. Pepper Made Sure He Wasn't Sitting Alone.
Salt air, gray-blue clapboard siding, and a long stretch of sun-bleached boards leading toward the sea: this is Earl's favorite kind of afternoon. He sits on a weathered wooden bench in his well-worn denim overalls, flecked with paint and dust from years of projects, over a faded plaid shirt. His curly gray hair is windblown, and his eyes crinkle into a grin as he looks down at Pepper. The Miniature Schnauzer sits right beside him, pressed against his side, beard tousled by the breeze, mouth open in a happy pant as she watches the boardwalk traffic. A bicycle leans against a railing in the distance, and potted plants decorate the porch of a beach cottage behind them.
A trip to the shore can be a treat for dogs, with a few precautions. Sand, pavement, and boardwalk boards can get very hot in the sun, so test the surface with the back of your hand. If it is too hot to hold for several seconds, it is too hot for paws. Dogs should not drink seawater, since salt water can upset their stomach, so pack plenty of fresh water and a bowl. Shade is important, and short-nosed or dark-coated dogs can overheat quickly. Many beaches and boardwalks have specific rules or seasonal hours for dogs, so check before you go. A rinse with fresh water afterward helps remove salt and sand from the coat.
Pepper seems perfectly content just people-watching from the bench. With the ocean breeze ruffling her whiskers and Earl's arm close by, it is the very picture of a lazy seaside afternoon.
