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Black grandpa in a cable cardigan kneels by a park pond feeding mallards as a black Labrador sits grinning beside him. 30 / 33

A Whole Flock of Mallards Paddled Up to Grandpa Walter. Duke Could Barely Contain Himself.

AI imagelabrador retrieverduck pondpark

A gray autumn afternoon has settled over the park, fallen leaves scattered across the grass and a lone bench waiting in the distance. At the muddy edge of a shallow pond, Grandpa Walter kneels in a brown cable-knit cardigan and glasses, letting a handful of grain trickle from his palm. Mallards crowd the water in front of him, glossy green-headed drakes and speckled brown hens paddling eagerly for their share. Duke sits right beside Walter on the bank, black coat a little damp at the paws, mouth open in a wide, cheerful grin. He seems delighted by the whole quacking, splashing commotion, though he is very politely staying out of the pond.

Ponds, puddles, and slow-moving water can look harmless, but they sometimes carry germs that can make dogs sick. One example is leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can spread through water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected wildlife. It can affect both dogs and people, which is why many vets recommend a vaccine for dogs that spend time around water, wildlife, or rural areas. Discouraging your dog from drinking out of ponds and bringing fresh water along on outings is a simple precaution. Your vet can tell you whether vaccination makes sense for your area and lifestyle. And, of course, follow park leash rules and pick up after your pup.

Duke is content to be an enthusiastic spectator today, which suits the ducks just fine. Walter tosses another handful, and the little flotilla swirls happily in front of them.

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