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A smiling grandma with a silver braid sits on a boardwalk bench at dusk, her hand on a red-gold Golden Retriever. 3 / 29

The Beach Crowds Went Home. Ruth and Rusty Stayed for the Best Part.

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Evening has settled over the beach houses, and a porch lantern glows warm against the blue sky. On a weathered wooden bench along the boardwalk, Ruth sits with her silver braid tucked over her denim shirt, one hand resting lightly on top of Rusty's head. The big dark red-gold retriever leans into her knees, mouth relaxed, amber eyes soft, perfectly content to watch the last walkers drift by. The boards beneath them are gray and salt-worn, and the whole scene has that hushed, end-of-summer feeling when the crowds have gone home and the town belongs to the locals again.

Beach outings with a dog are a treat, but they come with a few things to watch. Sand and boardwalk planks can get very hot by midafternoon, so early mornings and evenings like this one are kinder to paws. Dogs can also overheat quickly in the sun, and they should never drink seawater, which can upset their stomachs or worse, so bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl. Rinse salt and sand from the coat afterward, check between the toes, and keep a leash handy, since many beaches and boardwalks have specific rules about dogs and seasonal hours. A quick look at local signs before you go saves a lot of hassle.

Rusty does not seem to mind any of the rules tonight. He has a bench, a breeze, and a hand on his head, which may be all a good dog needs at the end of a long, salty day.

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