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A smiling white-haired woman in a navy vest sits on a lake dock with her feet in the water, petting a white Bichon Frise. 16 / 39

Grandma Dipped Her Toes in the Lake. Cotton Wasn't About to Stay on the Dock.

AI imagebichon friselakesummer

The water is cool, the dock boards are warm, and Ruth has kicked off her shoes to dangle her bare feet in the shallow lake. She sits on the edge in a plaid flannel and a navy quilted vest, laughing as she reaches down to rub Cotton's chin. The little Bichon stands in the shallows beside her, brown collar on and mouth open mid-pant, looking delighted to be included. Behind them, the old dock is cluttered with a canvas bag, a blue bucket of fishing gear, a folded towel, and a few rods leaning against the reeds.

Lake days are wonderful for dogs, but water safety matters, especially for small breeds. Not every dog is a natural swimmer, and little dogs can tire quickly or struggle to climb back onto a dock. A properly fitted canine life jacket is a smart idea for boating or deeper water. Keep an eye out for blue-green algae, which can make water look scummy or discolored and can be very dangerous to pets; if in doubt, keep them out. Bring fresh drinking water so your dog does not drink from the lake, and rinse their coat afterward to remove mud and debris. If your dog seems unwell after a swim, call your vet promptly.

Some people need a big vacation to unwind. Ruth only needs a quiet dock, cool water around her ankles, and a happy dog by her side. It looks like the best kind of summer afternoon.

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An older woman in a quilted vest picks red apples from a tree while a white Bichon Frise sniffs apples on the ground.Grandma Ruth Was Picking Apples From the Tree. Cotton Found a Shortcut.A white-haired woman in glasses reads an old handwritten letter while a white Bichon Frise rests its chin on her knee.Grandma Unfolded an Old Letter She Had Kept for Years. Cotton Seemed to Know.
A white-haired woman in glasses and a green vest holds a damp white Bichon Frise wrapped in a beige plaid blanket.The Walk Got Rained Out. What Came Through the Door Was a Very Soggy Bichon.A white-haired woman plays an old upright piano while a white Bichon Frise in a red collar sits on the wooden bench.Grandma Ruth Went to Play the Old Piano. Someone Had Already Taken the Bench.A white-haired woman in glasses and a quilted vest sits in a porch chair beside a white Bichon Frise as rain falls outside.The Storm Rolled In and Grandma Stepped Out to the Porch. Cotton Followed.A smiling white-haired woman in a quilted vest sways in a kitchen while a happy white Bichon Frise wags its tail beside her.Her Favorite Song Came On While She Was Cooking. Grandma Couldn't Help Herself.