Thirty Minutes of Raking Leaves, Undone by One Red-Gold Retriever in Two Seconds
Thirty minutes of careful raking, and it took Rusty about two seconds to undo it. Ruth stands at the edge of the yard with both hands on the rake handle, head tipped back in a full, delighted laugh. In front of her, the big red-gold retriever is mid-launch, ears flying, front legs tucked, mouth open in a goofy grin, landing paws first in a crackling heap of orange, scarlet, and brown leaves. More leaves spin through the air around him. Behind them, pots of rust-colored mums brighten the front steps, a pair of rubber boots stands by the door, and a basket holds the gardening gloves she has not needed yet.
Leaf piles are a fall tradition for kids and dogs alike, and with a little care they are perfectly good fun. Before letting a dog dive in, give the pile a quick check for sticks, thorny debris, or anything sharp underneath. Damp leaves can grow mold, and some dogs like to snack on what they find, so discourage eating from the pile and watch for upset stomachs afterward. Autumn is also a busy time for ticks in many areas, since they can hide in leaf litter, so run your hands over your dog's coat and around the ears and toes after outdoor play. Your vet can recommend a tick prevention plan that fits your region.
The yard will need raking again, of course. But some chores are better when they take twice as long, and Ruth's laugh says this is definitely one of them.
