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A grandmother in a floral apron sleeps on a blue blanket on the lawn, curled around a dozing white Maltese. 21 / 32

Abuela Only Meant to Lie Down for a Minute. Copito Had the Same Idea.

AI imagemaltesenap timelawn

Eyes closed, breathing slow, both of them have drifted off right in the middle of the yard. Abuela Rosa lies on a faded blue blanket spread over the grass, still in her gray T-shirt and floral apron, one arm curled protectively around Copito. He is tucked against her chest in a fluffy white ball, his eyes shut and his little nose resting on her arm. Her bun has come a bit loose against the blanket. Behind them, the wooden fence, a watering can, a few potted plants, and a scattering of fallen leaves suggest a gardening session that turned into a nap without anyone planning it.

Dogs are champion nappers, and small breeds often sleep a good part of the day, especially as they get older. Sharing a rest outdoors is lovely, but a few precautions help. Choose a shady spot or a cooler time of day so neither of you overheats, and remember that white-coated dogs with thin fur on the ears and nose can sunburn. Check the lawn for recently applied fertilizers or weed treatments, which can irritate paws or upset stomachs if licked. And for people, a quick look for ants and a dose of sunscreen are never a bad idea.

There is a special kind of trust in sleeping side by side out in the open. The garden can wait, the leaves can stay where they fell, and Rosa and Copito can have their afternoon dream together for as long as it lasts.

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A grandmother on a couch reads aloud from an open book while a white Maltese sniffs the pages with interest.Abuela Was Reading Aloud When Her Listener Decided to Check the Book HimselfA grandmother paints a colorful canvas on a wooden easel in the backyard while a white Maltese lies on the patio.Abuela Set Up Her Easel Outside. Copito Picked the Spot Right in Front.
A grandmother in a puffy jacket and knit cap shovels snow while a white Maltese bounds through a snowbank.Abuela Went Out to Shovel the Snow. Copito Went Out to Disappear in It.A grandmother in jeans and a floral apron walks a white Maltese on a leash down a dirt country road at sunset.The Sun Was Going Down on the Old Dirt Road, and Copito Was Leading the WayA grandmother whittles a piece of wood on a porch, curled shavings in her lap, as a white Maltese watches closely.Abuela Was Carving Something Out of an Old Block of Wood. Copito Had to Know What.A grandmother kneeling on a patterned rug gently holds the raised paw of a white Maltese in her living room.Abuela Spent All Week Teaching Copito One Trick. Today He Finally Got It.