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A gray-haired woman paints a landscape at a wooden easel in a backyard while a white Bichon Frise sleeps on the grass. 6 / 39

Grandma Set Up Her Easel in the Backyard. Her Bichon Took a Different Approach to Art.

AI imagebichon frisepaintingbackyard

A wooden easel stands in the middle of the backyard, holding a canvas full of blue sky, green trees, and soft dabs of color. Ruth leans in with a fine brush, her glasses on and her silver hair twisted into a loose bun, adding one careful stroke at a time. A paint-smeared palette rests on the easel's little shelf. Just a few feet away, Cotton has flopped onto the grass and fallen fast asleep, his fluffy white face pressed into the lawn among a few fallen leaves. Clay pots, a watering can, and a weathered fence fill in the garden behind them.

If you like to paint or craft outdoors with a pet nearby, a little planning keeps everyone safe. Some art supplies, such as certain oil paints, solvents, and turpentine, can be harmful if licked or swallowed, so keep cups of rinse water and open tubes out of reach. Water-based paints are generally a friendlier choice around curious animals, but it is still best not to let them taste anything. Make sure your dog has shade and fresh water, especially a white-coated dog that may be prone to sunburn on thin-haired spots like the nose and ears. If your dog does get into paint, talk to your vet about what to do.

Some artists need a quiet studio. Ruth only needs her easel, a sunny afternoon, and a sleepy little dog for company. It might not end up in the painting, but Cotton is clearly part of the masterpiece.

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An older woman in a quilted vest sips lemonade through a straw on a porch while a white Bichon Frise sits close in front.Grandma Poured One Glass of Lemonade. The Bichon Assumed It Was for Two.A white-haired woman in a green vest lies on the grass with eyes closed, her cheek resting against a sleeping white Bichon.Grandma Ruth Lay Down on the Lawn for Just a Minute. Cotton Joined Her.
An older woman in a quilted vest cooks a pancake in a skillet on a gas stove while a white Bichon Frise watches from below.The Pancake Was Almost Ready. The Bichon Had Been Waiting Very Patiently.A white-haired woman in a green vest and denim shirt carries a smiling white Bichon Frise in her arms near porch steps.Cotton Walked the Whole Loop Himself. The Porch Steps Were Another Story.A smiling white-haired woman in glasses holds a bowl of popcorn on the couch as a fluffy white Bichon Frise looks at it.Grandma Made Popcorn for Movie Night. Her Bichon Had a Few Questions About It.A white-haired woman stretches on a gray yoga mat while a white Bichon Frise beside her lowers into a play bow.Grandma Ruth Unrolled Her Yoga Mat. Cotton Showed Up Ready to Teach.