Browse ›
A white-haired woman in glasses and a navy vest reads a newspaper with a blue merle Australian Shepherd curled on her lap. 23 / 30

Grandma June Sat Down With the Morning Paper. Blue Thought He Was a Lap Dog.

AI imageaustralian shepherdmorning paperliving room

The morning newspaper is open, but most of June's lap is occupied. She sits on a cozy couch in a navy quilted vest and gray sweater, glasses perched on her nose as she reads, holding the paper up and over the large, fluffy dog sprawled across her legs. Blue has curled himself up as small as an Australian Shepherd possibly can, which is not very small at all. His blue merle coat with copper patches spills over her knees, and his eyes are half-closed in sleepy satisfaction. A potted plant, a box of tissues, and a pile of pillows complete the quiet living room.

Many medium and large dogs seem to believe they are lap dogs, and Australian Shepherds are no exception. Their strong attachment to their people means they often want to be as close as possible. That closeness can be comforting, but it is wise to consider your own comfort and safety. A heavy dog on your lap can make it harder to get up and may put pressure on hips and knees. Teaching an Aussie to lie beside you on the couch, or on a cushion at your feet, gives them closeness without the strain. Regular brushing also helps reduce the fur left behind on laps and furniture.

June may have to read around a big fluffy dog, but she does not seem to mind at all. Morning news is always better with a warm companion, even an oversized one.

More from this collection

All 30 →
A white-haired woman in glasses and a green vest whittles wood on porch steps as a blue merle Australian Shepherd watches.Grandma June Pulled Out Her Pocketknife to Whittle. Blue Hasn't Blinked Since.A white-haired woman in a green vest hugs a blue merle Australian Shepherd as they look out a frosty window at falling snow.The First Snow of the Year Started Falling. Grandma June Brought Blue to the Window.
A white-haired woman kneels on a yoga mat while a blue merle Australian Shepherd lowers into a play bow in front of her.Grandma June Rolled Out Her Yoga Mat. Blue Showed Off His Best Pose.A smiling white-haired woman in glasses holds a sandwich on a garden bench as a blue merle Australian Shepherd sniffs it.Grandma June Unwrapped Her Sandwich on the Bench. Blue Had One Question.A smiling white-haired woman in a green vest shovels snow as a blue merle Australian Shepherd plays in a deep snowbank.Grandma June Went Out to Shovel the Driveway. Blue Had Other Plans for the Snow.A smiling white-haired woman with a tote bag walks a happy blue merle Australian Shepherd on a leash past produce stands.Grandma June Headed to the Farmers Market for Tomatoes. Blue Came for Everything.