A Curly Poodle Puppy Settled Into the Straw Beside a Shaggy Pony

Golden light slants into the barn as an apricot Poodle puppy, his tight curls like a little cloud, sits beside a shaggy brown pony on a bed of straw. The pony's forelock falls across her eyes as she leans in toward the puppy, nose to cheek, and the puppy looks back with a soft, trusting face. Wooden beams, hay and a bit of dirt road show beyond the stall. Everything in the picture is the color of honey and hay.

We could call the pony Clover and the puppy Truffle. Truffle's coat is the same warm color as the straw, so the two blend into a gentle, golden picture.

Poodle puppies are bright and sensitive, and they learn quickly, so early training and socialization pay off. Their curly coats need regular brushing and trimming, and straw can tangle in them, so check the fur after a barn visit. Barns can be wonderful places for dogs to bond with farm animals, but they also hold hazards, such as farm equipment, rodent bait and feed that could upset a dog's stomach. Keep the puppy on a leash near large animals at first and watch for hooves. Fresh bedding keeps the barn comfortable, and your vet can advise on parasite prevention for animals that share space.

Truffle and Clover seem to agree that a warm barn and good company are all you need.