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An older man in a brown cardigan holds a red merle Australian Shepherd up to a window with a snowy yard outside. 30 / 32

The First Snow Fell Overnight. Kenji Had Someone He Needed to Show.

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Snow has dusted the yard overnight, frosting the fence, the bare shrubs, and a forgotten flowerpot. Kenji has scooped Maple up in his arms and brought her right to the window so she can take it all in. He wears a brown cardigan over a blue shirt, his glasses fogged just slightly at the edges, and his smile is pure delight. Maple sits in his arms like an oversized teddy bear, one fluffy white paw resting on the sill, her blue eye and amber eye wide with curiosity at the strange white world beyond the glass. Bookshelves and soft curtains frame the cozy room behind them.

Many Australian Shepherds handle cold weather fairly well thanks to their double coat, and plenty of them love romping in fresh snow. Still, winter calls for a few precautions. Ice-melting salts and chemicals can irritate paws and upset stomachs if licked off, so wipe your dog's feet after walks. Snow can ball up between toe pads, especially on furry feet, so trimming the hair there helps. Antifreeze is extremely dangerous to pets and can taste sweet, so clean up any drips in garages or driveways right away. Senior dogs and short-coated breeds may need a sweater and shorter outings. As always, watch for shivering or lifting paws, which mean it is time to head inside.

Lifting a medium-sized dog is no small feat, but Kenji does not seem to mind the effort. Sharing the first snow of the season is worth a few sore arms.

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