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An elderly Black woman in a grey jacket feeds ducks at a small pond while a tricolor Australian Shepherd sits watching. 9 / 28

The Ducks Swam Right Up to Mae. Bandit, a Born Herder, Had to Decide What to Do.

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A handful of ducks paddle eagerly toward the bank as Mae holds out a crust between her fingers. She crouches at the edge of a small backyard pond in a grey zip jacket over a teal top, glasses pushed up onto her silver hair, smiling softly at the birds. Two green-headed drakes and a pair of brown hens glide closer through the dark water. Bandit sits beside her with his ears up and head tilted, studying the scene with intense interest but staying politely still, his black and copper coat glossy in the soft light. A blue watering can, flower pots, and a porch with red blooms complete the scene.

Australian Shepherds were bred to herd, and that instinct can show up around ducks, chickens, or anything that moves in a group. A well-trained Aussie can learn to stay calm around birds, but it takes practice and patience. A solid sit or down, rewarded generously, is the foundation, and a leash is wise until you're confident in your dog's self-control. As for the ducks, bread isn't the healthiest choice for them, and moldy bread can make them sick. Many wildlife groups suggest alternatives like oats, cracked corn, birdseed, or chopped greens in small amounts. Bread and seed left near water can also attract rodents, so offer only what the ducks eat right away. Keep your dog from drinking pond water, which may contain bacteria or algae, and bring fresh water along instead.

Bandit may be dreaming of rounding up the whole flock, but for now, he's the picture of good manners. Mae couldn't be prouder.

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An elderly Black woman in a blue apron bakes cookies as a tricolor Australian Shepherd with flour on its nose watches.Mae Was Baking Cookies When She Noticed the Flour on Bandit's NoseAn elderly Black woman in a green cardigan reads an old letter on a sofa as a tricolor Australian Shepherd leans on her.Mae Found an Old Letter Tucked Away. Bandit Knew She Needed Company.An elderly Black woman in a green cardigan holds out a vanilla ice cream cone as a tricolor Australian Shepherd licks it.Mae Said Bandit Could Have Just One Lick of Her Ice CreamAn elderly Black woman in a green cardigan wraps a wet tricolor Australian Shepherd in a knit blanket by the front door.Bandit Came Home Soaked From the Rain. Mae Was Waiting With the Softest Blanket.