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A smiling white-haired woman in glasses and a navy vest sits on a wooden bench hugging a happy white Bichon Frise. 34 / 39

Grandma Ruth Just Wanted to Rest on the Boardwalk Bench. Cotton Had Other Plans.

AI imagebichon frisebeachboardwalk

A sea breeze ruffles Ruth's silver hair as she sits on a weathered wooden bench, arms wrapped around Cotton. The little Bichon is perched on her lap, mouth open in a huge, happy grin, his curls fluffed out by the wind. Ruth is smiling too, glasses on and navy vest zipped against the cool coastal air. Behind them, a beach boardwalk stretches toward a glimpse of gray ocean, and a sandy yard is dotted with potted plants, a tote bag, and a few scattered shoes from the morning's walk.

Beach trips can be a delight for dogs, with all those new smells and sounds, but a few precautions keep the outing safe. Sand can get very hot on sunny days, so test it with your hand before letting paws touch it. Bring plenty of fresh water, since dogs should not drink salt water, which can make them sick. Rinse your dog off afterward to remove salt and sand from the coat, which is especially important for curly breeds where grit can get trapped. Check local rules, as many beaches have leash requirements or seasonal restrictions for dogs. And remember that light-colored dogs can get sunburned on thinly furred areas like the nose.

Salt air, a bench with a view, and a dog grinning like this is the best day of his life. Ruth and Cotton seem to know exactly how to enjoy a slow day by the sea.

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