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An older woman in a green vest moves a checker on a wooden board while a white Bichon Frise rests its chin on the table. 26 / 39

Grandma Was About to Make Her Winning Move at Checkers. Then She Saw That Face.

AI imagebichon frisecheckersporch

A wooden checkerboard sits on the weathered porch table, pieces lined up in neat rows of black and cream. Ruth reaches out to slide one forward, a thoughtful little smile on her face as she plans her next move. Her opponent, if you can call him that, has his chin resting right on the edge of the table. Cotton gazes straight ahead with big, dark, soulful eyes, his fluffy head taking up half the frame, looking like he is quietly judging her strategy. Behind them, potted herbs and a leafy garden glow in the afternoon sun.

Board games like checkers are a classic way to keep the mind sharp and the afternoon interesting. They involve planning, memory, and a bit of friendly competition, and they are easy to pick up at any age. For dogs, a resting chin like Cotton's is often a sign of affection and attention. Many dogs place their heads on a lap, a knee, or a table near their person simply to be close. If you would like your dog to be a more active participant in game time, try puzzle toys or snuffle mats, which challenge dogs to work for treats and give them their own mental workout.

Whether Ruth wins this round or not, she has the most loyal spectator on the porch. Cotton is not going anywhere until the last piece is jumped, and maybe not even then.

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A gray-haired woman in a green quilted vest holds a white Bichon Frise up to a window looking out at a snowy yard.It Snowed Overnight. Grandma Ruth Lifted Cotton Up to the Window to See.A smiling white-haired woman in glasses holds a sandwich on a wooden bench while a white Bichon Frise sits beside her.Grandma Ruth Packed One Sandwich for the Bench. She Should Have Packed Two.
A white-haired woman in a green quilted vest kneels on a patterned rug holding the raised paw of a white Bichon Frise.Grandma Ruth Spent All Week Teaching Cotton a New Trick. Today Was the Test.A white-haired woman in a green vest and jeans walks a smiling white Bichon Frise on a leash down a dirt country road.The Sun Was Setting Over the Old Country Road. Cotton Was Leading the Way.A smiling white-haired woman in a navy vest holds a fishing rod on a wooden dock while a white Bichon Frise sits beside her.Grandma Ruth Cast Her Line Off the Old Dock. Cotton Was More Interested in Her.A white-haired woman in a beige quilted vest plants a tomato seedling as a white Bichon Frise digs in the soil beside her.Grandma Ruth Was Planting Tomatoes. Cotton Decided the Garden Needed More Holes.