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An elderly man in a knit cardigan sits at the wheel of a vintage green truck with a smiling black German Shepherd beside him. 3 / 36

Grandpa Otis Said It Was Just a Quick Trip to Town. Bear Disagreed.

AI imagegerman shepherdvintage truckroad trip

Nobody looks happier about this ride than Bear. The black German Shepherd sits tall on the bench seat of a vintage green pickup, tongue out and mouth open in a wide, panting grin, his ears pointed straight up toward the cab roof. Beside him, Grandpa Otis rests one hand on the big thin steering wheel, wearing a cozy oatmeal cardigan and glasses, his white beard framing a calm, knowing smile. The dashboard is scuffed, the seat fabric is faded, and through the window you can glimpse potted plants and a pair of shoes on a porch. This truck has stories, and Bear wants to be in all of them.

Dogs love car rides for the smells, the scenery, and simply being with their people, but riding loose on the front seat isn't the safest setup. Many veterinarians recommend a crash-tested harness clipped to a seat belt, or a secured crate, ideally in the back seat, where an airbag can't hurt a dog in a sudden stop. Letting a dog hang its head out the window is also risky, since debris can injure eyes and ears. Plan breaks for water and potty stops on longer drives, and never leave a dog alone in a parked vehicle, because temperatures inside can climb quickly.

Whether they're headed to the hardware store or just around the block, Bear treats every trip like the best day ever. Otis seems to enjoy that attitude as much as the drive.

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