Browse ›
An older man in glasses holds a thin wooden fishing pole on a backyard dock while a white Poodle sits panting beside him. 29 / 33

Not a Single Fish Was Biting, Yet Earl Couldn't Stop Grinning on the Dock

AI imagepoodlefishingdock

A small wooden dock juts out over the backyard pond, and Earl has settled on its edge with a simple homemade fishing pole across his knees. He is turned toward Pearl with a wide, warm grin, his glasses slipping down his nose. Pearl sits upright right next to him, mouth open in a happy pant, a blue collar peeking through her white curls. The weathered planks are scattered with a few leaves, and behind them the yard is busy with garden pots, a green watering can, hoses, and a house glowing in the late afternoon sun.

Fishing with a dog can be a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, but tackle needs careful handling. Fish hooks are one of the more common outdoor hazards for dogs, because bait smells interesting and a curious dog may grab a hook, lure, or line. Keeping tackle boxes closed, never leaving baited lines unattended, and bringing in your line when your dog gets too interested all help. If a hook does get caught in a dog's lip, paw, or mouth, do not try to yank it out, and contact your vet. Around water, a dog-sized life jacket is a good idea for boating or deep water, even for dogs who swim well. Poodles were originally water retrievers, so many enjoy water, but every dog is different.

Whether anything bites today hardly matters. Earl has a line in the water, a smile on his face, and the best fishing buddy in the county.

More from this collection

All 33 →
A laughing older man pins a white sheet to a clothesline as a white Poodle leaps through the air beneath it.Earl Hung the Clean White Sheets Out to Dry. Pearl Saw a Brand New Game.An older man in overalls walks along a quiet country road at sunset beside a white Poodle wearing a brown collar.Earl Headed Down the Quiet Country Road at Sunset. Pearl Set the Pace.
An older man stretches forward to touch his bare feet on a green mat while a white Poodle stretches in a play bow beside him.Earl Reached for His Toes on the Yoga Mat. Pearl Had Her Own Technique.An older man in glasses and overalls walks through a pumpkin patch with a white Poodle standing in the foreground.Earl Came to Pick a Pumpkin. Pearl Came to Inspect the Whole Patch.An older man in denim overalls and a knit cap shovels snow as a white Poodle bounds through the snow beside him.Earl Grabbed the Shovel to Clear the Driveway. Pearl Had a Different Plan.An older man in glasses and overalls smiles at a white Poodle with its paws on a lace tablecloth beside tea and cookies.Grandpa Set Out Tea and Cookies for One. Pearl Pulled Up a Seat Anyway.