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Older Black woman in glasses picks a red apple from a tree as a white Bichon Frise sniffs fallen apples in the grass. 25 / 37

Grandma Was Picking Apples From the Tree. Cotton Found the Ones on the Ground.

AI imagebichon friseapple orchardautumn

The little orchard behind the house is heavy with red apples this fall. Grandma Loretta, in her green cardigan and glasses, crouches beneath a low branch and gently twists one shiny apple free, a basket already brimming with fruit waiting on the porch behind her. Cotton is busy with a project of his own. The Bichon has pushed his fluffy white face down into the grass, his black nose pressed right up against a cluster of windfall apples, sniffing with total concentration. A tipped-over metal bucket, fallen leaves and twigs scatter the ground around them.

Apples can be a healthy occasional treat for dogs, as long as they're prepared properly. Slices of apple flesh are generally safe in moderation, but the core and seeds should be removed, since seeds contain compounds that can release cyanide when chewed, and cores can be a choking hazard. Fallen apples are a different story: as they rot, they can ferment and produce alcohol, and moldy fruit can make dogs sick. Windfalls also attract bees and wasps, which can sting a curious nose. Picking up fallen fruit regularly is the best way to keep an orchard safe for pets.

Cotton's apple inspection is very thorough, if not very productive. With a full basket and a happy dog nose-deep in the grass, it's been a fine fall afternoon in Loretta's orchard.

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