Browse ›
Laughing grandma in an olive quilted vest holds a rake as a black Labrador bounds into a pile of autumn leaves. 17 / 22

Dot Raked Every Leaf Into One Perfect Pile. It Lasted Four Seconds.

AI imagelabrador retrieverautumn leavesfront yard

Dot spent a good half hour raking the front yard into one tidy, crunchy pile of red and gold leaves. It lasted about four seconds. Moose has launched himself into the middle of it, front paws high in the air, mouth wide open in a joyful grin, leaves flying up all around him. Dot, still gripping the rake in her olive quilted vest and gloves, is laughing so hard her glasses have slid down her nose. The porch light has just come on behind them, warming the front of the house, and pots of orange mums sit by the door.

Jumping in leaves is classic fall fun for dogs, and it's a great way for an energetic breed like the Lab to burn off steam. Still, a few hazards can hide in a leaf pile. Sticks and rocks can poke paws or eyes, and damp, decaying leaves can grow mold that may upset a dog's stomach if eaten. Ticks also like to hang out in leaf litter, so a quick check of your dog's coat afterward is a smart habit, especially around the ears, neck, and between the toes. Talk to your vet about year-round tick prevention if you live in an area where ticks are common.

Dot will be raking that pile together again in a minute, and Moose will almost certainly be waiting. Some chores are never really finished, and that's half the fun.

More from this collection

All 22 →
Grandma in a tan quilted vest picks a red apple from a tree while a black Labrador sniffs fallen apples in the grass.Dot Picked Apples From the Tree. Moose Had His Own Harvest Plan.Grandma in a navy quilted vest hammers a wooden fence picket as a black Labrador stands beside her holding a stick.Dot Finally Fixed the Rattling Fence. Moose Thinks He Helped.
Grandma in a sage quilted vest sorts old black-and-white photos on a table as a black Labrador sniffs at the pile.Dot Spread Out a Lifetime of Old Photos. Moose Started Searching Too.Smiling grandma in a navy quilted vest sips tea at a lace-covered table as a black Labrador sits close, eyeing the scones.Dot Set Out the Lace Tablecloth and Scones. Her Guest Arrived Early.Grandma in a sage quilted vest sleeps in a hammock between two oak trees as a black Labrador lies awake below.Dot Fell Asleep in the Hammock. Moose Took the Night Shift Early.Grandma in a green quilted vest sprays an old grey car with a hose as a black Labrador jumps up to bite the water.Dot Only Wanted to Wash the Old Car. Moose Saw the Hose.