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A smiling older man rakes fall leaves while a pied French Bulldog leaps into the pile with his mouth open. 18 / 28

Gus Built a Neat Leaf Pile and Domino Went Straight Through It

AI imagefrench bulldogautumn leavesraking

The rake barely touches the pile before Domino arrives. The pied French Bulldog is in midair, front paws tucked and mouth open in a gleeful grin, about to land in a heap of orange and gold maple leaves. Grandpa Gus, in his cap and glasses, laughs and holds the rake steady, his white mustache wide with the smile. A blue watering can, orange mums, a stack of firewood and a pair of boots stand beside the siding. A neat pile just became a very messy one.

Leaf piles are a favorite game for dogs, but they hide hazards. Wet leaves can grow mold, sticks and stones can be buried inside and acorns, chestnuts and some autumn mushrooms are harmful if eaten. Check the pile before play and keep him from chewing on anything he finds. Fall is also a time for ticks and burrs, so brush him and check his coat afterward. Frenchies tire fast and cool down slowly, so keep play sessions short, and watch for noisy breathing. If his eyes get irritated by dust or his paws are scratched, a gentle wipe with a clean damp cloth helps. Talk to your vet about parasite protection for the season.

Gus doesn't mind starting over. He has done this many times before, and he knows the leaf pile was never really his. Domino emerges with a leaf stuck to his ear, delighted. The rake will come out again, the pile will grow again and the afternoon will keep turning gold.

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