Grandpa Otis Reached for the Best Apple on the Tree. Bruno Looked Down.
One hand is stretched up into the branches, fingers closing around a shiny red apple, while the other rests on his knee as Grandpa Otis leans into the work. He's wearing a chunky olive-green cardigan over a soft blue shirt, and there's a quiet, knowing smile under his grey whiskers. Down at his feet, Bruno the brindle French Bulldog has zero interest in the fruit still on the tree. His flat nose is buried among the windfalls scattered across the grass, sniffing each one like a judge at a county fair. Rows of apple trees fade into a hazy autumn field behind them.
Apple orchards are a lovely fall outing, but a few precautions keep a dog safe. The flesh of an apple, sliced and cored, is generally a fine occasional snack for most dogs. The seeds, core, and stems are best avoided, since seeds contain compounds that can be harmful in quantity and cores can be a choking hazard. Fallen fruit that's starting to rot can ferment, and eating a lot of it may upset a dog's stomach. French Bulldogs are known for being food-motivated, so keeping a close eye and a short leash under the trees is wise. Talk to your vet if your dog overindulges.
Otis fills his basket, Bruno conducts a thorough smell survey, and the afternoon drifts by in the crisp orchard air. That sounds like a perfect fall day for both of them.
