Grandpa Raked All Morning for One Perfect Leaf Pile. Moose Saw It Too.
Leaves are still drifting down when Moose launches himself into the air. Walt has spent the better part of the morning raking the front yard into one tidy pile, and now his Bernese is caught mid-leap, ears flying, mouth wide open in what can only be called a grin. Walt doesn't scold. He leans on his rake handle and laughs, glasses slipping, plaid sleeves rolled up under his overalls. Behind them, a white porch holds a stack of firewood, potted mums, and a pair of work gloves hanging from a hook, while orange maple branches glow at the edge of the yard.
Big dogs bred for cold mountain weather, like the Bernese, tend to come alive in fall when the temperature drops. Leaf piles are a fun treat, but it pays to give them a quick check before the jumping starts. Damp piles can hide sticks, rocks, and sometimes mushrooms or moldy debris that a curious dog might eat. Ticks can also be active in leaf litter well into autumn, so running your hands through the coat afterward is a smart habit. If you notice your dog eating something odd from the yard or itching more than usual, talk to your vet.
Walt will rake the pile again, probably more than once. That seems to be the whole point. Some chores are really just games in disguise, and Moose figured that out long before Walt did.
