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An older man in glasses and a fishing vest offers seed to mallard ducks at a pond while a Dalmatian sits beside him. 19 / 21

The Mallards Paddled Right Up to Grandpa. Domino Kept His Cool.

AI imagedalmatianduck pondpark

A small flotilla of mallards has paddled right up to the bank, green heads gleaming, and Grandpa has the snacks they've been waiting for. Crouched at the water's edge in his fishing vest and gray T-shirt, glasses on and white mustache curled into a smile, he holds out a palm full of seed toward the nearest duck. Domino sits tall right beside him, spotted chest puffed out, black collar on, looking toward the far side of the pond with polite interest rather than any intention to chase. A wooden fence, bare trees, and a pale house mark the edge of the park behind them.

Ponds can be a great place for a dog outing, but there are a few hidden risks. In warm months, some ponds develop harmful algae blooms, which can look like green scum, foam, or paint on the surface. These can be very dangerous to dogs that swim in or drink the water, so stay away from water that looks discolored and follow posted warnings. Still water may also carry parasites that cause stomach upset. Bring fresh water for your dog, and rinse them off after any swim. Keeping dogs leashed near waterfowl protects the birds, too. If your dog seems ill after visiting a pond, contact your vet promptly.

For now, everyone at this pond seems perfectly content. The ducks get a treat, Grandpa gets his quiet moment, and Domino gets to show off his very best manners.

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