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A grandpa in a bucket hat and vest sleeps on his side in the grass, his arm draped over a resting blue merle Border Collie. 19 / 22

Grandpa Went Out to Check the Tomatoes and Never Made It Back Inside

AI imageborder collienapbackyard lawn

One minute Earl was supposedly checking on the tomato plants. The next, he was flat out on the lawn, fast asleep. He lies on his side in the soft grass, wearing a canvas bucket hat tipped low over his eyes and his trusty vest over a blue T-shirt, one arm draped loosely across Skye's back. A second hat has tumbled off into the grass beside him. Skye is stretched out in front of him with her chin resting on her white front paws, her merle coat spread out like a soft gray rug. One eye is open just a crack, keeping watch, because even a resting Border Collie never fully clocks out.

Napping together outside is a sweet way to spend an afternoon, but a few small precautions make it safer. Sun exposure adds up quickly, so pick a shady spot or keep naps short, and remember that dogs with thin or light-colored fur on their noses and bellies can sunburn too. Fresh water nearby is important on warm days. Grass and garden areas are also prime spots for ticks and fleas, so a quick check of both you and your dog afterward is a good habit. Lawns treated with fertilizer or pesticides should be avoided until the product is safe for pets, according to the label.

For now, the backyard is quiet except for the buzz of insects and the soft rise and fall of two sleepers breathing in time. The tomatoes will still be there later. Some afternoons are simply meant for napping.

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