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Smiling older Black woman sits on a low dock with her feet in a pond while a white Bichon Frise stands in the shallows. 24 / 37

Grandma Dipped Her Toes in the Pond. Cotton Wasn't Going to Stay on Dry Land.

AI imagebichon frisepond docksummer

The little wooden dock sits just above the water, and Grandma Loretta has rolled up her khaki pants, kicked off her shoes and slipped her feet into the cool pond. In a soft gray sweatshirt, she leans on her hands and smiles down at Cotton, reaching out to touch his curly head. Cotton isn't content to watch from dry land. He's waded right into the shallows beside her, his white legs and belly soaked, and he looks up at her with a cheerful, open-mouthed grin. Reeds and grasses line the water's edge, and a fence and small house sit beyond the lawn.

Many dogs enjoy splashing in shallow water, and it's a nice way to cool off. A few precautions keep it safe. Ponds and lakes can contain bacteria, parasites or harmful blue-green algae, especially in warm, still water, so avoid letting dogs drink it and skip swimming if the water looks scummy or discolored. Not all dogs are strong swimmers, and small breeds can tire quickly, so stay close and consider a dog life jacket near deeper water. After water play, rinse your Bichon with fresh water and dry the coat thoroughly, paying special attention to the ears, which can trap moisture.

Cotton will need a bath and a good towel-off later, but neither of them is worried about that right now. A quiet pond, cool water and good company make this a perfect afternoon.

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