Four Tricolor Beagle Puppies Fell Asleep on an Old Patchwork Quilt
On a colorful patchwork quilt spread across the backyard, four tricolor Beagle puppies have drifted off in a sunny pile. Two nap with their heads on one another's backs, one is stretched out with a white paw crossed over the other, and the fourth has curled nose-first into the fabric. Their black, tan and white coats look soft and glossy against the faded blue, cream and coral squares. A potted plant and a wooden wall peek in at the edges.
Puppies are small, but they are working hard, and Beagle puppies are no different. Growing, exploring and learning use up a lot of energy, so naps are a necessary part of the day. Most young puppies sleep a great deal and then wake up in sudden bursts of play. Try to keep a calm place available for them to rest, and avoid waking them if you can. If you let puppies nap outside, make sure there is shade and fresh water nearby.
Beagles are social dogs, and littermates often sleep together in a heap. That closeness is comforting, and it helps puppies regulate their warmth.
The quilt has probably been in the family for years, but it has never held anything quite as sleepy as this. When they wake up, there will be a stretch, a shake and a burst of energy, and the quilt will be dragged halfway across the yard.
