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A laughing white-haired woman in a green quilted vest reaches out as a happy white Bichon Frise leaps up in a backyard. 36 / 39

Grandma Ruth Reached for the Ball. Cotton Couldn't Wait Another Second.

AI imagebichon frisefetchbackyard

Playtime is in full swing in the backyard. Ruth leans forward with her arm stretched out, laughing as Cotton springs up toward her, front paws off the ground and mouth wide open in pure excitement. His blue collar bounces against his fluffy chest, and his ears flap with the motion. Ruth's silver hair is pulled back loosely, her olive vest and jeans already a bit grass-stained from the game. A bright toy ball peeks out at the edge of the patio, along with gardening gloves, clay pots, and a tall wooden fence lined with shrubs.

Games like fetch are fantastic exercise for dogs, and Bichons, though small, often have a surprising amount of playful energy. Short, active play sessions help burn off steam, strengthen the bond between dog and owner, and keep a dog mentally engaged. Choose a toy that is the right size for your dog, large enough that it cannot be swallowed but small enough to carry comfortably. Soft balls and plush toys are often easier for little mouths than hard tennis balls. Repeated jumping can be hard on small dogs' joints, so keep throws low and the ground soft. On hot days, play in the cooler morning or evening hours and offer plenty of water.

It is hard to tell who is having more fun here, the bouncing dog or the laughing grandma. Either way, this backyard is clearly the happiest place on the block this afternoon.

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A gray-haired woman in a quilted vest scatters grain on a coop floor among hens while a white Bichon Frise stands beside her.Grandma Ruth Brought Cotton Into the Chicken Coop at Feeding Time.A white-haired woman in a green vest fills in a crossword with a pencil while a fluffy white Bichon Frise sits at the table.Grandma Was Stuck on Seven Across. Cotton Hopped Up to the Table to Help.
A smiling white-haired woman in a green vest crouches beside a white Bichon Frise on a leash at an evening farmers market.Grandma Ruth Went to the Market for Vegetables. Cotton Went to Meet His Fans.A smiling white-haired woman in glasses and a green quilted vest holds a fluffy white Bichon Frise on a pickup tailgate.Grandma Ruth Sat Down on the Tailgate to Rest. Cotton Had Something to Say.An older woman in a green quilted vest tucks a cream knit blanket around a white Bichon Frise lying in a gray dog bed.Cotton Wasn't Sleepy Yet. Then Grandma Ruth Brought Out the Knit Blanket.A white-haired woman with headphones around her neck sits in an armchair with a fluffy Bichon Frise beside a record player.Grandma Put on Her Favorite Record. The Bichon Decided to Sing Along.