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An elderly couple works on a jigsaw puzzle at a kitchen table while a black pug sits upright on a chair beside them watching. 18 / 26

Frank and Dottie Were Halfway Through Their Jigsaw Puzzle. Then They Noticed the Chair.

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The kitchen table has been taken over by a jigsaw puzzle, a wintry lakeside scene about halfway finished, with loose pieces scattered across the wood. Dottie, in a green cardigan with her gray hair pinned up, carefully presses a piece into place, while Frank, in a navy sweater and glasses, leans in with quiet interest. Sunlight from the window falls across potted herbs, a glass jar, and a tea towel on the counter. And on the wicker-seated chair beside them sits Bean, perfectly upright like a third member of the puzzle club, wearing a brown collar and watching the action with grave concentration.

Puzzles are a wonderful pastime for older adults, offering a relaxing way to keep the mind engaged and to spend unhurried time together. Dogs often want to be included in those quiet activities, and pugs in particular are known as velcro dogs that like to be right beside their people. Giving a dog a designated chair or cushion nearby can help it feel included without climbing onto the table. Keep in mind that puzzle pieces are small and made of cardboard, which a curious dog might chew or swallow, so it is wise to tidy up loose pieces before stepping away.

Bean has not found a single edge piece yet, but he is clearly committed to the project. With a supervisor this dedicated, the puzzle is sure to be finished in no time, or at least by next weekend.

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An elderly couple cooks pancakes on a gas stove while a black pug sits on the kitchen floor looking up hopefully.Dottie Flipped the First Pancake of the Morning. Someone Down Below Was Ready.An elderly couple pins white sheets on a backyard clothesline while a black pug runs happily between the hanging sheets.Frank and Dottie Hung Fresh White Sheets on the Line. Bean Saw a Racetrack.An elderly couple naps in a rope hammock between two trees, with a black pug asleep on a yellow blanket on their laps.One Hammock, Two Grandparents, and a Pug Who Found the Perfect SpotAn elderly couple picks red apples in an orchard while a black pug in front sniffs at apples lying in the grass.Frank and Dottie Were Picking Apples Off the Trees. Bean Went Straight for the Ground.