Browse ›
Older man in glasses and a tan sweater sprinkles feed to mallards in a pond as a Yorkshire Terrier sits watching nearby. 22 / 29

Grandpa Ken Crouched by the Pond at Dusk. The Ducks Came, and So Did Mochi's Big Eyes.

AI imageyorkshire terrierduckspond

Dusk is settling over a garden pond tucked beside the house, a porch light glowing in the background and fallen leaves floating on the dark water. Grandpa Ken crouches at the edge in a tan diamond-knit sweater, glasses on, carefully letting a pinch of grain trickle from his fingers. A small flotilla of mallards has gathered around, drakes with glossy green heads and speckled brown hens paddling close. Mochi sits on the bank just beside him, front paws together, mouth slightly open, tongue peeking out, staring at the birds with fascinated, sparkling eyes. She is very interested, but she is also, impressively, staying put.

Water and wildlife can be a tricky combination for a small dog. Ducks are usually harmless, but geese and some protective waterfowl can be surprisingly bold, especially near nests, and a tiny Yorkie is not much bigger than some of them. Keeping a small dog close and calm around birds protects everyone. The water itself deserves a look too. Ponds and lakes can sometimes develop blue-green algae blooms, which can be toxic to dogs, so it is wise to keep dogs from drinking or swimming in water that looks scummy, discolored, or smells bad. Rinsing your dog with clean water after any pond splash is a good habit. If you suspect exposure, call your vet right away.

Mochi seems happy to be a spectator tonight. The ducks get their supper, Ken gets his quiet ritual, and one small dog gets the best front-row seat on the pond.

More from this collection

All 29 →
Older man in glasses and a gray sweater vest reads a book aloud on the couch to a Yorkshire Terrier gazing up at him.Grandpa Ken Started Reading His Book Out Loud. His Listener Hung On Every Word.Older man in a knit hat and green vest shovels a snowy driveway while a Yorkshire Terrier plays in the snowbank beside him.Grandpa Ken Grabbed the Shovel After the Big Snow. Mochi Grabbed the Snowbank.
Yorkshire Terrier holds a stick in its mouth up front while an older man in a green vest kneels to repair a low wooden fence.Grandpa Ken Knelt Down to Fix the Garden Fence. Mochi Arrived With Her Own Lumber.Older man in glasses and a brown sweater walks through a backyard pumpkin patch as a Yorkshire Terrier trots beside him.Grandpa Ken Took a Slow Walk Through the Pumpkin Patch. Mochi Stopped at One Pumpkin.Older man in glasses and a knit vest works a jigsaw puzzle at a kitchen table as a Yorkshire Terrier watches from a chair.Grandpa Ken Spread a Jigsaw Puzzle Across the Kitchen Table. Someone Pulled Up a Chair.Smiling older man in glasses and a green sweater sits on a pickup tailgate scratching the chin of a Yorkshire Terrier.Grandpa Ken Dropped the Tailgate at the Edge of the Field and Sat Down. Mochi Climbed Up.