Browse ›
Black grandpa in an olive cardigan hammers a wooden fence while a black Labrador sits in front holding a stick in its mouth. 5 / 33

Grandpa Walter Was Fixing the Old Fence When His Helper Showed Up With Materials

AI imagelabrador retrieverfence repairbackyard

A weathered wooden fence has a few loose boards, and Grandpa Walter is on the job. Crouched beside it in a green ribbed cardigan, gray trousers, and a gray T-shirt, he grips a claw hammer in one hand and steadies a board with the other, eyes narrowed in concentration. Work boots, a basket of tools, a blue watering can, and a potted plant wait in the background. In the foreground, filling the frame, sits Duke. The black Lab holds a thick, knobby stick crosswise in his mouth, chin lifted, amber eyes looking straight ahead with pure seriousness, as if he has brought the most important board of all.

Labrador Retrievers come by their love of carrying things honestly. They were developed to retrieve game and fishing gear and bring it back undamaged, so many Labs have what is often called a soft mouth, and they truly enjoy holding objects. That instinct is a great thing to channel. Offer durable retrieving toys, floating bumpers for water play, or sturdy rubber sticks as safer alternatives to real wood, which can splinter. Teaching a reliable drop it cue makes trading easy when your dog picks up something they should not have. Giving a Lab a job, such as carrying a toy during walks or fetching the newspaper, can make them feel useful and happy.

Duke is clearly taking his role as building inspector very seriously. Walter might not need the stick for this repair, but he would never dream of turning down such a proud helper.

More from this collection

All 33 →
Black grandpa in a cream cardigan does a seated toe-touch stretch on a gray yoga mat beside a black Labrador lying down.Grandpa Walter Rolled Out His Exercise Mat. Duke Signed Up for the Class Too.Black grandpa in glasses and a cardigan studies a checkerboard at dusk as a black Labrador rests its chin on the table.Grandpa Walter Was Deep in a Checkers Game. Then He Glanced to the Left.
Smiling Black grandpa in a cream shawl cardigan walks a leashed black Labrador down a country road at sunset.Every Evening When the Sky Turns Pink, Grandpa Walter Grabs the LeashLaughing Black grandpa in a mustard cardigan holds out a tennis ball to an eager black Labrador in a backyard.Grandpa Walter Picked Up the Tennis Ball, and Duke's Face Changed InstantlyBlack grandpa in a cardigan sprinkles grain for hens on a mudroom floor while a black Labrador watches beside him.Grandpa Walter Left the Back Door Open at Feeding Time. The Hens Walked Right In.Black grandpa in a speckled cardigan sits on sunny back steps brushing the shiny coat of a happy black Labrador.Grandpa Walter Sat on the Sunny Back Steps With a Little Wooden Brush