Browse ›
A smiling older man in glasses and red flannel holds a small white Maltese on his lap on a boardwalk bench near the beach. 8 / 35

Grandpa Found a Bench by the Boardwalk. Pearl Had a Better View in Mind.

AI imagemaltesebeach boardwalkseaside

Salt air, warm sun, and a weathered wooden bench by the beach: Grandpa Gus has found the perfect spot to rest. He sits with Pearl tucked snugly in his arms, one big hand cradling her small body as he smiles down at her. Pearl gazes out toward the water with dark, thoughtful eyes, her silky white ears lifting in the breeze. Behind them, a pale blue beach house with flower boxes sits beside the boardwalk, and beyond the dune grass the shoreline glows in late-afternoon light.

Beach outings can be lovely for small dogs with a little planning. Sand can get very hot in the afternoon sun, so test it with your hand before letting your dog walk on it. Bring fresh water, since dogs shouldn't drink seawater, and give them shade to rest in. A Maltese's long white coat can trap sand and salt, so a quick rinse with fresh water and a gentle brush afterward prevent itching and tangles. Pink skin under thin white fur can be prone to sunburn, so limit midday exposure and ask your vet about pet-safe sun protection.

Pearl seems happiest right where she is, safe in Gus's lap, watching the world go by. For a small dog, being carried can be a perfect way to enjoy the boardwalk without tiring out little legs.

The ocean is beautiful, but the best view on this boardwalk might be the one on Gus's face.

More from this collection

All 35 →
An older man in red flannel wraps a small white Maltese in a cream cable-knit blanket by the door on a rainy day.The Rain Soaked Grandpa and Pearl on Their Walk. He Knew Just What to Grab.A smiling older man in a blue plaid shirt has tea at a lace-covered table while a small white Maltese leans toward him.Grandpa Poured His Afternoon Tea. Pearl Had Her Eye on the Shortbread.
An older man wrapped in a cream quilt sits by a brick fireplace with a small white Maltese resting in his arms.Grandpa Lit the First Fire of Winter. Pearl Found the Warmest Spot Instantly.An older man in red flannel reaches for a red apple on a tree as a small white Maltese sniffs fallen apples in the grass.Grandpa Reached Up for the Best Apple on the Tree. Pearl Went for the Ground.An older man in red flannel scatters grain to brown and speckled hens while a small white Maltese stands right behind him.Grandpa Scattered the Grain and the Hens Came Running. Pearl Stayed Close.An older man in glasses and a blue plaid shirt plays an old upright piano with a small white Maltese sitting on the bench.Grandpa Opened His Sheet Music at the Old Piano. Pearl Took the Other Half of the Bench.