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An elderly man in glasses scatters grain for mallards at a pond while a dark red Golden Retriever sits behind him. 8 / 20

Henry Fed the Ducks at Dusk. Copper Was a Retriever Who Stayed Put.

AI imagegolden retrieverfeeding duckspond

Mallards crowd the edge of a small pond, and the surface ripples where they dip and paddle after the grain Henry is sprinkling from his hand. He kneels at the water's edge in a brown sweater and glasses, smiling down at the birds with real delight. Behind him, Copper sits quietly, his dark red head up and ears relaxed, watching the ducks with calm interest and his mouth slightly open. A porch light glows in the background at the edge of a garden, and the evening air is cool and quiet.

Feeding ducks is a classic pastime, but what you feed matters. Bread is not good for ducks, and the better options include cracked corn, oats, birdseed, or chopped greens, all in small amounts. Dogs and waterfowl can be a tricky mix, so keep a dog leashed or well trained near wild birds, and never let him chase or bother them. Ponds can also hold algae and bacteria, so keep your dog from drinking pond water and rinse him off after he swims. Golden Retrievers were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl, so being near ducks can stir strong instincts, and Copper's calm sit is an impressive show of manners. Practice a solid sit and stay at home, with treats, and ask your vet about parasites and vaccines for dogs that spend time near water.

Henry gets the ducks. Copper gets the best seat in the house, and he takes it very seriously.

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