Browse ›
An elderly man in a green sweater vest tucks a soft beige blanket around a red and white husky lying in a gray dog bed. 15 / 32

Maple Wouldn't Settle Down for the Night Until Grandpa Kenji Did This One Thing

AI imagesiberian huskybedtimedog bed

The lights are soft, a rope toy and tennis ball lie abandoned on the floor, and it's officially bedtime. Grandpa Kenji kneels over a plump gray dog bed, smoothing a soft beige blanket around Maple's shoulders with both hands. She lies snug inside, chin resting on the edge, looking up at him with sleepy, trusting eyes. A laundry basket waits nearby, a houseplant sits by the window, and the whole room has that calm, end-of-day feeling.

A comfortable bed of their own matters to dogs more than people sometimes realize. A sturdy, supportive bed helps cushion joints, which becomes especially important as dogs age, and having a familiar resting spot can make a dog feel secure. For a husky, placement is key. Many huskies run warm thanks to their thick coats, so a bed away from heaters and in a cooler part of the room often works best, and some prefer to lie on the floor no matter how nice the bed is. That's normal. A blanket can be a comforting extra, as long as the dog can easily move out from under it. Washing bedding regularly helps keep shedding fur and skin oils under control, which is no small task with a breed known for 'blowing' its coat a couple of times a year.

Bedtime routines are good for both pets and people. A last trip outside, a calm tuck-in, and a few quiet words can help everyone settle down for a restful night.

Maple looks like she's already halfway to dreamland. Grandpa Kenji will probably check on her once more before he turns in, just because he can't help it.

More from this collection

All 32 →
An elderly man with headphones around his neck sits by a turntable playing a record while a red and white husky sits close.Grandpa Kenji Put On His Favorite Old Record. Maple Had Opinions About It.An elderly man in a green sweater vest naps on a cushioned porch swing while a red and white husky sleeps curled on his lap.Grandpa Kenji Sat Down on the Porch Swing for Five Minutes. Maple Had Other Ideas.
An elderly man in an armchair reads a worn letter while a red and white husky rests its head on his lap with eyes closed.Grandpa Kenji Unfolded a Letter He'd Kept for Years. Maple Knew Just What to Do.A smiling elderly man at a patio table with eggs, avocado, and toast leans toward a red and white husky sitting beside him.Grandpa Kenji Made Eggs on the Patio. Maple Asked Very Politely for a Taste.An elderly man in a brown argyle sweater rakes autumn leaves as a red and white husky leaps playfully through the pile.Grandpa Kenji Raked for an Hour. Maple Waited for the Pile to Get Big Enough.An elderly man in a cable-knit sweater vest sits on a weathered dock holding a fishing rod, a red and white husky beside him.The Fish Weren't Biting at Grandpa Kenji's Pond. Maple Didn't Mind One Bit.