Browse ›
An elderly man in a brown argyle sweater rakes autumn leaves as a red and white husky leaps playfully through the pile. 20 / 32

Grandpa Kenji Raked for an Hour. Maple Waited for the Pile to Get Big Enough.

AI imagesiberian huskyfall leavesyard

The rake was making real progress until Maple spotted the pile. Now she's mid-pounce, front legs lifted, tail swinging high, sending crunchy orange and brown leaves scattering across the driveway. Grandpa Kenji, in a brown argyle sweater and khakis, still holds the rake with both hands and laughs down at her, clearly not the least bit surprised. Gardening gloves lie on the step, a basket of tools waits by the door, and autumn color covers every inch of the yard.

Leaf piles are pure fun for many dogs, and huskies, with their playful, bouncy energy, tend to throw themselves in with gusto. A few precautions help keep the fun safe. Damp leaf piles can hide sticks, thorny branches, or even small critters, so it's worth a quick check before a dog dives in. Some dogs like to munch on leaves, acorns, or mushrooms that pop up in fall, and a few of these can cause stomach upset or worse, so gentle supervision is smart. Mold can grow in wet, decaying leaves, too. If your dog eats something questionable or seems unwell after playing outside, talk to your vet. And for owners who rake, taking breaks and lifting light loads keeps the yard work friendly on the back.

Play like this is also great exercise for a high-energy breed. A few minutes of leaping and rolling burns energy and gives a husky a satisfying outlet for that natural exuberance.

Will the leaves ever end up in the bag? Eventually. But Grandpa Kenji seems happy to rake the same pile twice if it means watching Maple have the time of her life.

More from this collection

All 32 →
An elderly man in a cable-knit sweater vest sits on a weathered dock holding a fishing rod, a red and white husky beside him.The Fish Weren't Biting at Grandpa Kenji's Pond. Maple Didn't Mind One Bit.An elderly man in an argyle sweater walks through a backyard pumpkin patch with a fluffy red and white husky at his side.Grandpa Kenji Went Out to Check on His Pumpkins. Maple Turned It Into a Parade.
An elderly man on a couch reads aloud from an open book while a red and white husky sits close and listens attentively.Grandpa Kenji Started Reading Out Loud. Maple Became His Biggest Fan.An elderly man in a green sweater vest walks down a gravel country lane at sunset with a red and white husky on a leash.Every Evening Grandpa Kenji and Maple Take the Same Road. Tonight Felt Different.An elderly man scrubs a soapy, wet red and white husky sitting in a metal washtub full of bubbles in the backyard at dusk.Grandpa Kenji Filled the Old Washtub With Bubbles. Maple Had to Make a Choice.A laughing elderly man in an argyle sweater throws a tennis ball as a red and white husky dashes across the grass after it.Grandpa Kenji Threw the Ball Once. Maple Showed Him What a Husky Can Do.