Grandma June Picked Apples From the Trees. Domino Had His Own Harvest Plan.
The branches are heavy with red apples, and Grandma June is filling her basket one careful reach at a time. She stands among the trees in her cream cardigan and blue tee, glasses on, plucking a shiny apple with one hand while balancing a woven basket of her harvest in the other. Domino has his own approach to the orchard. The harlequin Great Dane has his nose buried in the grass, sniffing his way from one fallen apple to the next, his spotted ears flopping forward. The ground is scattered with fruit and early autumn leaves, and a pale house and a stack of firewood sit at the edge of the yard.
Apples can be a crunchy, healthy treat for dogs in moderation. Sliced apple flesh is low in fat and offers fiber and some vitamins, and many dogs love the crunch. A few precautions matter, though. Remove the core and seeds before sharing, since the seeds contain compounds that are not good for dogs, and the core can be a choking hazard. Fallen fruit in an orchard is another concern. Apples left on the ground can start to ferment and rot, and a dog who gobbles a lot of them may end up with an upset stomach or worse. Large dogs can also wolf down whole apples quickly. It is best to keep an eye on what your dog is picking up and offer fresh, sliced pieces from your own basket instead.
Domino will not be carrying any baskets home, but he has clearly enjoyed the best smells in the orchard. For a dog, that counts as a very successful harvest.
