Grandpa Hung Up a Row of Clean White Sheets. Skye Saw a Tunnel.
Wash day means white sheets, a clothesline strung across the yard, and a basket of wooden clothespins. Earl, glasses pushed up on his head and fishing vest on as always, is reaching up to clip a corner in place with one weathered hand. Below him, Skye has discovered that a row of hanging sheets makes the world's best tunnel. She trots out from between two of them, head low, ears perked, her merle coat with its warm copper markings brushing the cotton as she goes. One sheet drapes over her back like a cape. There is a laundry basket in the background, a few tools leaning on the shed, and an unmistakable air of a chore turning into a game.
Weaving through gaps and around obstacles comes naturally to agile, quick-thinking breeds like the Border Collie, which is one reason they shine in dog agility competitions. You do not need a full course to tap into that instinct. A few cones to weave around, a low jump made from a broom handle, or a play tunnel can give an active dog a fun workout in the backyard. Start slow, keep jumps low for young or older dogs, and use treats and praise to build confidence. Watch the footing, too, since wet grass under a clothesline can be slippery for both paws and people.
The sheets may need a second rinse after all this, and Earl knows it. Judging by how happily Skye is zipping through her new tunnel, he has already decided it is worth it.
