Under the Apple Tree, a Restless Terrier Finally Stretched Out Beside a Calf
Dappled shade falls across the grass, and the lawn has become a quiet place to rest. A scruffy tricolor Jack Russell Terrier lies with his chin on the ground and his gaze turned sideways, while a brown and white calf stretches out beside him with her pink nose low in the clover. Branches heavy with leaves hang overhead, and a garden hose and flower pots sit near the house. The terrier is Scrappy again, and the calf is Maple. A few leaves drift down now and then, and neither of them minds in the slightest.
Shade is one of the simplest ways to keep a pet comfortable on a warm day. Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, so they depend on shade, fresh air, and water. Terriers can stay active even when it is hot, so it falls to their people to remind them to take breaks. Calves, too, benefit from a cool, shady spot, since young animals can feel the heat.
If your dog likes to lie under a fruit tree, remember that fallen apples can ferment, and apple seeds and cores are not good for dogs. Pick up any fallen fruit, and keep an eye on what your pet nibbles. A bowl of fresh water within reach is always a good idea.
Scrappy is catching his breath, and Maple is half asleep. The summer afternoon has all the time in the world. It is the kind of lazy, leafy hour that every summer day should include.
