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An elderly woman in an olive jacket and yellow scarf rakes leaves as a red-gold Golden Retriever leaps into the pile. 36 / 36

Grandma Odessa Finished the Leaf Pile. Copper Left No Time to Admire It.

AI imagegolden retrieverraking leavesautumn

A gust of autumn leaves is swirling in the air as Copper launches himself toward a pile of red and gold leaves. He is fully airborne, all four paws off the ground, mouth open in a joyful grin and long fur lifting. Grandma Odessa stands beside the porch steps with her rake in hand, wearing an olive jacket, a bright yellow scarf and glasses perched in her silver hair, looking down at him with delight. Pumpkins, a pot of orange mums and a green watering can sit on the steps beside them, and the maples glow behind the house.

Leaf piles are a fall favorite for retrievers, and a bounce or two is usually fine, but there are a few things to watch. Wet leaves can hide sticks, rocks and sharp objects, and mold or fungi in damp leaf piles can upset a dog who eats them. Some mushrooms growing in leaves are toxic, so keep your dog from nibbling. Check paws and coat after play for burrs and bits of debris, and brush out your dog's fur. For older adults, raking can be tiring, so take breaks and drink water. If your dog gets very excited, a calm leash walk afterward can help them settle.

The neat pile did not last long. Grandma Odessa will probably just start over, with a happy dog watching from nearby.

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