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A laughing older woman holds a rake over a pile of autumn leaves as a fawn Boxer jumps into the heap. 17 / 24

Ruth Raked the Leaves Into a Perfect Pile. Bruno Had Other Plans.

AI imageboxerautumn leavesrake

Ruth bends forward with a rake in her hands, laughing out loud, her gray cardigan swinging and her eyes bright behind her glasses. A heap of orange and brown leaves has gathered near an open door, and right in the middle of it Bruno is mid-leap, front paws stretched out, ears flapping, his white chest bright against the red-gold leaves. Behind them a bright doorway shows more trees outside, and a coat hangs on the wall beside baskets and boots. Leaves are scattered everywhere, as if the whole fall has come inside for a visit. All the careful raking has just been undone.

Leaf piles are a joy for dogs, and many love to crash into them. A few precautions make it safer. Check the pile for sticks, sharp objects, or anything he should not eat, and watch for mold, which can grow on damp leaves and upset a dog's system or lungs. Boxers are strong and bouncy, so a clear landing spot matters. After playtime, brush any burrs from his coat and check between his toes. Keeping a dog on a leash near the street is also wise, because a dash after a leaf can lead somewhere unplanned. Fall is a great season for a dog's energy.

Ruth has given up the idea of a tidy pile, and she is laughing too hard to care. Bruno comes up out of the leaves looking triumphant.

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