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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. 17 / 39

Grandma Ruth Was Picking Apples From the Tree. Cotton Found a Shortcut.

AI imagebichon friseapple orchardautumn

The orchard is heavy with red fruit, and Ruth has found a branch that is just right. She reaches up in her olive quilted vest and gray sweater, carefully twisting a shiny apple loose. Below her, Cotton has his own priorities. Nose down in the grass, he is sniffing his way through the scattered windfalls, blue collar bright against his white curls. Rows of trees stretch off into the hazy late-afternoon light, and a wooden fence post marks the edge of the field.

Apples can be a crunchy, healthy treat for many dogs in moderation, but there are a few important rules. Always remove the core and seeds before sharing, since seeds contain compounds that are not safe for dogs and the core can be a choking hazard. Slice the apple into small, bite-sized pieces, especially for little breeds. Fallen orchard fruit can be a hidden risk: apples left on the ground may ferment or grow mold, which can upset a dog's stomach or worse. Orchards may also use sprays, so it is best to keep a dog from snacking on whatever they find in the grass. If your dog eats a lot of fallen fruit, call your vet.

Ruth will head home with a basket of apples for pies and applesauce. Cotton will head home with grass on his nose and a thorough report on every apple in the row. Everyone wins on a fall afternoon like this.

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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.A white-haired woman in a green vest and plaid shirt smiles at a white Bichon Frise in a pumpkin patch full of orange gourds.Grandma Went to Pick the Perfect Pumpkin. Cotton Seemed to Have Already Chosen.