Grandpa Otis Went Looking for the Perfect Pumpkin. Bear Went Along.
Orange pumpkins dot the tangled vines on both sides of the dirt path, and the corn stalks have gone dry and gold. Grandpa Otis strolls down the row in a brown cable-knit cardigan, olive work pants, and sturdy boots, a gentle smile on his face as he looks down at his companion. Bear trots along on a loose leash, tongue out and ears up, his black coat warming to tan on his legs and face in the low autumn light. A wooden crate, a coiled garden hose, and a weathered fence hint that this patch is a working garden, not a store display.
Pumpkin patches are a fun fall outing with a dog, and a few precautions make them even better. Keep your dog leashed, since vines and holes can trip a running dog and many farms require leashes anyway. Plain, cooked pumpkin is often recommended in small amounts as a dog treat, but raw pumpkin, stems, and moldy or rotting pumpkins can cause stomach trouble, so discourage snacking in the field. Check paws for burrs and thorns afterward, and bring water for the walk. German Shepherds tend to be curious and energetic, so a new place full of smells is great mental exercise for them.
Otis may still be choosing the right pumpkin, but Bear seems perfectly happy just being part of the hunt. Fall walks don't get much more picturesque.
