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Grandmother in a flannel shirt and floral apron naps on a blanket on the lawn beside a sleeping Jack Russell Terrier at dusk. 19 / 40

Abuela Lay Down on the Lawn for Five Minutes. The Porch Light Came On Without Them.

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The porch light has flicked on, the sky has gone soft and dusky, and two sleepyheads have not noticed a thing. Abuela Rosa lies on her side on a faded floral blanket spread across the backyard grass, wearing a plaid flannel shirt beneath her apron, gray hair loosely gathered and one hand tucked under her cheek. Her face is completely relaxed. Pressed against her, Chispa has stretched out long, white body warm against Rosa's arm and her tan-masked head resting on the blanket with eyes squeezed shut. Potted tomato plants, a wooden fence and a few early fallen leaves surround them in the fading light.

Dogs are pack animals at heart, and many prefer to sleep touching their favorite people. That physical closeness offers warmth and a sense of safety. For people, a calm companion can be comforting too, and plenty of seniors say having a dog nearby helps them unwind. If you enjoy outdoor naps with a pup, a few precautions help. Check the yard for ant hills, avoid lawns recently treated with fertilizer or pesticides, and keep up with flea and tick prevention, since grassy areas can harbor both. As evening cools down, a blanket underneath and a light layer on top keep everyone comfortable, and it is wise to head inside before the night chill really settles in.

Dinner can wait a little longer. Right now, the lawn, the blanket and that steady little heartbeat beside her are all Rosa needs.

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Grandmother in glasses holds a fishing rod on a weathered wooden dock while a Jack Russell Terrier gazes out at the water.Abuela Cast Her Line Off the Old Dock. Her Fishing Partner Took the Job Seriously.Grandmother in glasses sits wrapped in a patchwork quilt by a glowing fireplace with a Jack Russell Terrier on her lap.The Fire Was Lit and the Quilt Came Out. Abuela Had Room for One More.Smiling grandmother in a denim shirt sits at the wheel of an old pickup with a Jack Russell Terrier in the passenger seat.Abuela Fired Up the Old Pickup for a Grocery Run. Her Copilot Was Already Aboard.Grandmother in a plaid shirt and floral apron carries a scruffy Jack Russell Terrier in her arms near the porch steps.Chispa Ran the Whole Walk. Then She Saw the Porch Steps and Changed Her Mind.