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Smiling older Black woman sits on a pickup tailgate beside a fluffy white Bichon Frise at the edge of a field. 12 / 37

Grandma Took the Old Truck Out to the Field at Sunset. Cotton Only Had Eyes for Her.

AI imagebichon frisetailgatecountry field

The sun is setting low over the open field, and the old pickup has been backed right up to the edge of the grass. Grandma Loretta sits on the weathered tailgate in her olive jacket and plaid shirt, glasses glinting in the warm light, smiling down at Cotton. The little Bichon sits beside her in the truck bed, nose lifted toward her face, his white curls ruffled by the evening breeze. Behind them, the field stretches toward a line of trees, an old tarp lies in the grass and a few fence posts lean along the edge of the pasture.

Bichons love being included in outings, and quiet places like this can be a lovely change of scene for a small dog. Truck beds, though, are not safe places for dogs to ride while the vehicle is moving; a sudden stop or turn can throw them out. When traveling, a secured crate or a dog seat belt inside the cab is the safer choice. Once parked, a tailgate makes a nice perch, but a jump down can be hard on a small dog's joints, so lifting them down is kinder. Fields can hide ticks, foxtails and burrs, so check your Bichon's curly coat well when you get home.

There's no destination on tonight's agenda, just the open sky and a friend at her side. Loretta and Cotton seem perfectly happy to sit and watch the day fade away together.

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Older Black woman in glasses holds a white Bichon Frise up to a frosty window as snow falls outside.The Snow Started Falling, and Grandma Loretta Lifted Cotton Up to See ItOlder Black woman crouches to scatter feed for brown hens while a white Bichon Frise stands among the chickens.Grandma Scattered Feed for the Hens. One Member of the Flock Looked a Little Different.
Smiling older Black woman wrapped in a green patchwork quilt sits by a lit fireplace with a white Bichon Frise beside her.The Fire Was Crackling, the Quilt Was Warm, and Cotton Had the Happiest Face in the RoomSmiling older Black woman crouches at a park pond feeding mallards while a white Bichon Frise stands in the shallows.Grandma Loretta Was Feeding the Ducks. Cotton Decided to Join the Flock.Smiling older Black woman at the wheel of an old pickup with a white Bichon Frise sitting on the bench seat beside her.Grandma's Old Pickup Has One Passenger Seat, and It's Already TakenOlder Black woman in glasses fills in a crossword at a breakfast table while a white Bichon Frise peeks over the edge.Grandma Was Focused on Her Crossword. Cotton Was Focused on the Breakfast Table.