Gus Stopped Rocking So He Wouldn't Wake the Sleeping Frenchie

Late sun glows on the walls, and the chair has stopped rocking. Grandpa Gus sits upright in a sturdy wooden rocker, cap on, glasses on, one hand resting on the armrest and his eyes fixed on something past the picture. His fishing vest, with its crowded pockets, is open over a gray shirt. At his feet, Domino the pied French Bulldog lies curled on a knitted cushion, his black ears folded and his nose tucked toward his paw. A basket of laundry, a stack of books, work boots and a sunny window crowd the cozy room.

French Bulldogs are known to be devoted to their people, and a favorite way to show it is to sleep close by. They sleep quite a lot, and many snore, which is usually normal for their flat-faced build, though any change in breathing is worth mentioning to your vet. Rocking chairs need care around dogs, since a tail or paw under a rocker can be hurt. Keep the rocking gentle and watch where he lies. A cushioned bed in a quiet corner, away from drafts and hot sun, makes a good resting place for a short-nosed dog. A regular routine of walks, meals and naps helps keep him relaxed.

Gus doesn't rock too much. He is afraid of waking his friend. The light turns amber, a clock ticks somewhere in the room and the house settles. Time moves slowly in a place like this. The chair, the cushion and the dog at his feet are all a man needs for a perfect, quiet end to the day.