Browse ›
An elderly couple in jackets walk a lemon and white Basset Hound on a leash through a garden full of orange pumpkins. 17 / 21

Harold and Bea Went Pumpkin Hunting. Waffles Was Hunting Something Else Entirely.

AI imagebasset houndpumpkin patchautumn walk

Pumpkins of every size lie scattered among curling vines, some deep orange, a few pale and creamy, all glowing against the brown autumn soil. Harold and Bea stroll slowly down the path between them, Bea in a green hooded jacket with a striped scarf looped around her neck, Harold in a tan coat, flannel shirt, and knit beanie, holding Waffles's leash loosely in one hand. Both are smiling down at him. Waffles trots ahead with his tongue lolling out and his long ears swinging with every step, nose working overtime, clearly having the time of his life among all these fascinating new smells.

For a scent hound like the Basset, a pumpkin patch is a sensory feast. Their noses are among the keenest of any breed, and they can become so absorbed in a trail that they tune out everything else, which is one good reason to keep them leashed outdoors. Plain cooked pumpkin in small amounts is often given to dogs as an occasional treat, but stems, leaves, and moldy or rotting pumpkins are best avoided. Check paws for burrs and stickers afterward. And when decorating at home, keep candles, corn cobs, and decorative gourds out of reach of curious, food-loving hounds.

Harold and Bea will likely leave with a couple of perfect pumpkins for the porch. Waffles will leave with a nose full of memories and muddy paws. Everyone goes home happy, which is exactly how a fall outing should end.

More from this collection

All 21 →
A smiling elderly couple hold a lemon and white Basset Hound up to a frosty window as snow falls on the trees outside.The First Snow Started Falling, and Harold and Bea Didn't Want Waffles to Miss ItAn elderly couple wrap a lemon and white Basset Hound in a chunky knit blanket in a mudroom while rain falls outside.Waffles Came Home From a Rainy Walk, and Harold and Bea Had a Plan Ready
An elderly couple crouch by a park pond holding grain for mallard ducks while a lemon and white Basset Hound sniffs the bank.Harold and Bea Brought Grain for the Ducks. Waffles Found Something Better.An elderly couple smile over tea at a lace-covered table while a lemon and white Basset Hound rests his chin on the edge.The Good Teapot Came Out for Afternoon Tea. So Did Waffles's Most Soulful Look.An elderly couple stitch a patchwork quilt together while a lemon and white Basset Hound sleeps sprawled across the fabric.Harold and Bea Were Finishing Their Quilt Together. Waffles Had Other Ideas.An elderly couple on a gray couch read a book aloud while a lemon and white Basset Hound sits between them listening.Bea Started Reading Aloud on the Couch, and Waffles Leaned In for Every Word