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A white Poodle bounds through a pile of orange autumn leaves as a smiling older man in overalls holds a rake. 6 / 33

Earl Spent All Afternoon Raking the Perfect Leaf Pile. Then Pearl Saw It.

AI imagepoodleautumnleaf pile

Earl had nearly gotten the leaves into one neat pile when Pearl decided it was time to test it. She is mid-bounce, front paws landing in a heap of orange and red maple leaves, ears flying and tongue out in a big open-mouthed grin. Earl is bent over his rake in his work shirt and overalls, laughing behind his glasses instead of scolding her. The low autumn sun lights up the trees behind the house and makes every leaf glow, and the front porch steps wait in the background for when the job is finally done, or abandoned.

Leaf piles are a classic fall joy for dogs, and a little supervision keeps it safe. Piles can hide sticks, sharp objects, or even small wildlife, so a quick look before the jumping starts is smart. Damp leaves can grow mold, and some dogs like to chew or eat leaves, which can upset the stomach, so it is best to discourage snacking. Fall is also a busy time for ticks in many regions, and a curly Poodle coat is good at hiding them. Running your hands through the coat after outdoor play, especially around the ears, neck, and legs, is a good habit. Ask your vet about tick prevention that suits your dog.

The leaves will need raking all over again, but that hardly seems to matter to either of them. Some piles are made for jumping, not bagging.

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An older man in glasses grips the steering wheel of an old pickup truck while a white Poodle sits in the passenger seat.Earl Climbed Into His Old Pickup. His Copilot Was Already Buckled In.An older man on a beige couch reads from a small book to a white Poodle resting its head close to the pages.Earl Started Reading His Book Out Loud. Pearl Wanted a Closer Look at the Page.An older man in overalls scatters grain from a scoop for brown hens while a white Poodle stands calmly beside him.The Hens Came Running for Breakfast. Nobody Expected What Pearl Would Do.An older man crouches by a pond letting grain fall from his hand to ducks while a white Poodle sniffs his fingers.Grandpa Brought Seeds for the Ducks. His Poodle Had Questions About Them.