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An elderly couple with rakes laugh as a lemon and white Basset Hound bounds into a pile of autumn leaves, ears flying. 16 / 21

Harold and Bea Raked Every Leaf in the Yard Into One Perfect Pile. Then Came Waffles.

AI imagebasset houndfall leavesautumn yard

The leaf pile was nearly perfect. Bea, in an olive jacket with her silver hair pulled back, and Harold, in a brown coat and plaid shirt, had raked every orange and brown leaf in the yard into one crunchy heap by the porch. Then Waffles arrived. Now he is airborne, or close to it, bounding into the middle of the pile with his front legs up, ears flapping out like wings, mouth wide open in a joyful doggy grin. Leaves scatter in every direction. Bea is laughing out loud, leaning on her rake, and Harold has given up any pretense of being annoyed. Potted mums, a basket, and a pair of rubber boots wait on the porch behind them.

Leaf piles are a classic fall joy for dogs, but it is worth a quick check before letting them dive in. Piles can hide sticks, rocks, or sharp debris, and damp leaves can grow mold that may upset a dog's stomach if eaten. Ticks may also lurk in leaf litter, so look over your dog's coat and especially his ears afterward. Bassets, with their long, low bodies, should avoid big leaps from steps or porches, since jumping and landing hard can strain the back. Keep leaf play at ground level, and it can be a fantastic burst of exercise.

There is no point re-raking just yet. Waffles will want another turn, and honestly, Harold and Bea seem to be enjoying the show far more than the chore. Autumn afternoons like this one are worth a little extra raking.

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An elderly couple in jackets walk a lemon and white Basset Hound on a leash through a garden full of orange pumpkins.Harold and Bea Went Pumpkin Hunting. Waffles Was Hunting Something Else Entirely.A smiling elderly couple hold a lemon and white Basset Hound up to a frosty window as snow falls on the trees outside.The First Snow Started Falling, and Harold and Bea Didn't Want Waffles to Miss It
An elderly couple wrap a lemon and white Basset Hound in a chunky knit blanket in a mudroom while rain falls outside.Waffles Came Home From a Rainy Walk, and Harold and Bea Had a Plan ReadyAn elderly couple crouch by a park pond holding grain for mallard ducks while a lemon and white Basset Hound sniffs the bank.Harold and Bea Brought Grain for the Ducks. Waffles Found Something Better.An elderly couple smile over tea at a lace-covered table while a lemon and white Basset Hound rests his chin on the edge.The Good Teapot Came Out for Afternoon Tea. So Did Waffles's Most Soulful Look.An elderly couple stitch a patchwork quilt together while a lemon and white Basset Hound sleeps sprawled across the fabric.Harold and Bea Were Finishing Their Quilt Together. Waffles Had Other Ideas.