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A smiling older man in a sweater vest rakes autumn leaves at dusk as a cream Chihuahua jumps midair toward the leaf pile. 3 / 25

Grandpa Finally Raked the Leaves Into One Neat Pile. Peanut Was Watching.

AI imagechihuahuaautumn leavesfront yard

Dusk has settled over the street, the porch light is on, and the lawn is carpeted in orange and brown maple leaves. Henry leans on his rake with a delighted grin, because he knows exactly what is about to happen to his neat little pile. Peanut is already airborne. Her front paws are up, her ears are flying, her curly tail is waving like a flag, and her tiny body is launching straight toward the crunchiest leaves on the lawn. A potted evergreen and a blue bin sit by the front steps, and the windows glow warm behind them.

Leaf piles are irresistible to many dogs, and small breeds like Chihuahuas can be surprisingly athletic jumpers. Before letting them dive in, take a quick look through the pile. Sticks, thorny twigs, and hidden rocks can scratch or poke a small dog, and damp leaves can hide mold that may upset the stomach if eaten. Fall is also a busy time for ticks, which like to lurk in leaf litter, so check your dog afterward, especially around the ears, neck, and between the toes. Ask your vet about appropriate tick prevention for your area. And with chilly evening temperatures, a little sweater can keep a short-coated dog comfortable.

Henry will probably have to rake that pile twice. Judging by his smile, that was the plan all along. Some chores are really just an excuse to watch a very small dog have a very big time.

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