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A silver-haired woman in a cable-knit cardigan holds a harlequin Great Dane up to a window overlooking a snowy yard. 12 / 21

The First Snow Fell Overnight, and Grandma June Made Sure Domino Didn't Miss It

AI imagegreat danesnow daywindow view

The yard outside has turned white overnight, and Grandma June wanted Domino to see it properly. Standing at the tall window in her cream cable-knit cardigan, glasses low on her nose and silver hair in a loose bun, she holds the harlequin Great Dane in her arms with his long front legs dangling and his blue collar shining. Domino gazes out at the snowy fence and bare trees with an expression of great seriousness, his spotted ears perked toward the flakes. Grandma June looks at him instead of the view, with a small, proud smile. A soft green throw and a potted plant sit in the cozy room behind them.

Great Danes grow astonishingly fast, and a young Dane who can still be lifted will not stay that way for long. Many reach a very large size in their first year or two, which is why careful handling and good nutrition during growth matter so much. If you do lift a dog, support the chest and the back end at the same time, keep the dog close to your body, and bend your knees rather than your back. For older adults or anyone with back trouble, it is safer to skip lifting large dogs altogether. A sturdy window seat, a low bench, or simply a cleared spot by the glass lets a big dog enjoy the view on his own four feet. Winter also brings hazards like ice-melt salt and cold paws, so wiping feet after walks is a good habit.

Domino may soon be too big for anyone's arms. But moments like this, nose to the glass on the first snowy morning, are worth holding on to.

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A silver-haired woman in a cream cardigan naps on the grass with her head resting against a sleeping harlequin Great Dane.Grandma June Went Out to Weed the Garden. The Gloves Never Made It Back On.A silver-haired woman hammers a wooden fence while a small terrier mix holds a stick and a harlequin Great Dane watches.Grandma June Picked Up a Hammer to Fix the Fence. Her Crew Reported for Work.
A smiling silver-haired woman sits in a wooden rocking chair while a harlequin Great Dane sleeps on a rug at her feet.Grandma June Rocked Slowly in Her Chair and Smiled at What Was on the RugA silver-haired woman sews a blue patchwork quilt while a small terrier sleeps on it and a harlequin Great Dane lies nearby.Grandma June Spread Out Her Quilt to Sew. One Corner Was Taken Within Minutes.A silver-haired woman in a cardigan brushes a harlequin Great Dane with a wooden brush on the back steps of a house.Domino Sat on the Back Steps Like He Owned Them. Grandma June Brought the Brush.A silver-haired woman sleeps in a brown recliner while a harlequin Great Dane drapes over the armrest beside her.Grandma June Nodded Off in Her Recliner. Domino Took Over the Armrest.