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An older Black woman kneels at a pond scattering grain to mallard ducks while a white Maltese sits close in the foreground. 9 / 26

Grandma Odessa Brought a Cup of Seed to the Pond. Pearl Wasn't Ready for the Crowd.

AI imagemalteseduck pondpark

The mallards have spotted the cup of grain, and they are paddling in fast. Grandma Odessa crouches at the edge of the pond in a cozy green cardigan, glasses perched on her nose, sprinkling seed from a clear cup into the water with a gentle hand. Drakes with shiny emerald heads and speckled brown hens crowd around, bobbing for the floating bits. A backpack and water bottle sit on the muddy bank behind her, along with a park bench and bare autumn shrubs. In the foreground, Pearl sits pressed close to Odessa's side, her white face serious and alert, as if she is not entirely sure about all these feathered visitors.

Feeding ducks is a beloved pastime, and choosing the right food makes it better for the birds. Bread fills ducks up without providing much nutrition, so wildlife groups often suggest alternatives such as cracked corn, oats, birdseed, or chopped lettuce, in small amounts. Many parks have their own rules about feeding wildlife, so it is worth checking the signs. For small dogs like Maltese, waterfowl can be surprisingly intimidating at close range, and some geese and ducks can get pushy around food. Keeping your dog leashed and close protects both the dog and the birds.

Pearl's slightly wary expression is pretty understandable. From her height, those ducks must look enormous.

Still, she stays right by Odessa, brave and loyal, even if she would probably prefer a quiet walk on dry land next time.

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