Grandpa Earl Settled Into His Rocking Chair. Domino Took Up the Entire Floor.
The wooden rocking chair creaks gently on the floorboards, and Grandpa Earl has settled back into it with his hands folded over the armrest, eyes half closed. He's in his usual plaid shirt and khaki fishing vest, white mustache drooping in a relaxed expression. Stretched across the floor in front of him, taking up nearly the whole length of the rug-free boards, is Domino. The harlequin Great Dane is fast asleep, long legs tucked, spotted head resting on his paws, the very picture of a giant dog at peace. A couch with a folded throw, a basket of yarn, a thermos, and a pair of work boots fill the lived-in room.
Great Danes are known for spending a good portion of the day snoozing, and adults are often surprisingly mellow indoors. Because of their weight, though, lying on hard floors for long stretches can cause pressure sores or calluses on elbows and hips. A thick, supportive dog bed placed near a favorite chair gives them a comfortable spot close to their people. It's also worth keeping rocking chairs in mind around any large dog; a long tail or paw resting under the rocker can easily get pinched, so a quick glance before rocking is a good habit.
The house is quiet except for the creak of the chair and the deep, even breaths of a very large sleeping dog. It's hard to picture a more peaceful afternoon.
