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An elderly woman in a gray cardigan sleeps on a porch swing with a large red-gold Golden Retriever sprawled across her lap. 25 / 36

A Porch Swing Built for One Held Grandma Odessa and a Very Large Copper

AI imagegolden retrieverporch swingnap time

The porch swing hangs from two chains, and every inch of it is occupied. Grandma Odessa leans back in a gray cardigan and blue floral blouse with her head tilted and eyes shut, a soft look of peace on her face. Copper has stretched his entire russet body across her lap and the plaid cushion, chin resting on the fabric and eyelids heavy, long feathery fur spilling off the sides. One big paw hangs in the foreground. Behind the swing, a wooden railing, a few flowerpots and a sunny backyard blur into the afternoon.

Retrievers can be big, affectionate lap dogs, even when the lap is not quite large enough. Many dogs like physical closeness while they sleep, and this can be a lovely bonding time. Still, a large dog on a swing is a lot of weight, so check that the chains, hooks and ceiling mounts are strong, and do not let them swing too wildly. If your dog hops up and down, a low step helps protect their joints. Dogs usually need many hours of sleep a day, and older dogs often nap even more. If your dog suddenly seems more tired than usual, or has trouble getting comfortable, talk to your vet.

The swing barely moves, and the afternoon barely changes. Both of them seem to agree that is exactly right.

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A smiling elderly woman in glasses sits with a sleeping red-gold Golden Retriever curled across her lap and a newspaper.Grandma Odessa Opened the Paper. Copper Opened His Own Plans for Her Lap.An elderly woman in a cream cardigan sits by a crackling fireplace under a quilt while a smiling Golden Retriever leans in.Grandma Odessa Pulled the Patchwork Quilt Over Her Lap. Copper Leaned Right In.
An elderly woman in an olive hoodie sips from a ceramic mug on weathered steps beside a chocolate-colored Golden Retriever.Grandma Odessa Took Her Coffee Outside. Copper Was Already Waiting on the Steps.An elderly woman in a gray sweatshirt hammers a fence board as a red-gold Golden Retriever holds a long stick.Grandma Odessa Fixed the Old Fence. Copper Brought His Own Lumber.An elderly woman in a green cardigan picks an apple from a branch while a Golden Retriever sniffs fallen apples.Grandma Odessa Picked the Perfect Apple. Copper Inspected All the Ones on the Ground.An elderly woman in a green cardigan holds the raised paw of a seated red-gold Golden Retriever on a patterned rug.Grandma Odessa Offered Her Hand. Copper Offered Something Better.