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Black grandpa in a cardigan paints a lake scene at an easel in the backyard as a black Labrador lies in the grass. 20 / 33

Grandpa Walter Set Up His Easel in the Backyard. His Art Critic Settled In Nearby.

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A wooden easel stands in the grass of a cheerfully overgrown backyard, holding a canvas of a quiet lake, pine-dark hills, and pale clouds. Grandpa Walter sits on a folding stool beside it in an olive cardigan, glasses perched low, brush poised as he studies his work with a calm, contented expression. Paint tubes spill out of a canvas bag, a palette of dabbed colors rests on the ground, and a blue watering can, clay pots, and a pair of work gloves are scattered around the yard. Duke lies stretched out in the grass beside the easel, head up and eyes thoughtful, as if he has been asked for his honest critique and is weighing his words.

Painting outdoors is a lovely, relaxing hobby, and keeping a dog nearby is part of the pleasure. Art supplies do deserve a little caution, though. Some paints contain pigments or additives that are not safe to swallow, and solvents like turpentine and mineral spirits can be harmful to dogs if licked, inhaled heavily, or spilled on their fur. Keep palettes, rinse water, rags, and open tubes off the ground and out of reach, and close containers when stepping away. Brushes can also tempt a chewer. Settling your dog on a blanket a short distance from the easel, perhaps with a chew toy, lets them share the afternoon safely.

Duke seems far more interested in the sunshine than the paint, which suits everyone just fine. The lake on the canvas grows a little bluer, and the afternoon drifts on at an easy pace.

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