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A gray-bearded man in a knit cap and suspenders nails a fence board while a dark red Golden Retriever holds a stick. 31 / 38

Roy Was Fixing the Fence. Copper Showed Up With Supplies of His Own.

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The old wooden fence has seen better days, and Roy is out in his green knit cap, blue flannel shirt, and suspenders, hammer raised, carefully lining up a nail on a weathered board. He is focused, brow furrowed, concentrating on getting it just right. Copper has positioned himself right in the middle of the work zone, holding a long stick firmly in his mouth and gazing up at Roy with soft, earnest eyes, as if offering his own contribution to the repair. Around them lie a bucket of tools, a coil of rope, a potted plant on the windowsill, and the leftover clutter of a busy project.

Carrying objects around is classic Golden Retriever behavior. Many Goldens love to hold something in their mouth, especially when they are excited or want to be involved. It is endearing, but repair projects bring hazards. Loose nails, screws, and staples can injure paws or be swallowed, and sharp tools and splintered boards are best kept out of reach. Before starting a project, it helps to set your dog up with a safe chew or toy a short distance away, and to sweep the area with a magnet or broom afterward to collect stray nails. If your dog steps on or swallows anything sharp, contact your vet promptly.

The fence will be standing straight again soon, with or without Copper's stick. Still, it is hard to imagine Roy turning down such an earnest offer of help.

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