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A blue merle Border Collie sits by a frosty window while ducklings snuggle on a knitted blanket beside it. 9 / 33

A Border Collie Watched the Frost, and the Ducklings Watched Her

AI imageborder collieducklingswinter window

Frost crawls across the glass in feathery patterns, and inside, a blue merle Border Collie is keeping vigil. Her eyes are soft and her collar is neat. Beside her on a chunky knitted blanket, a row of ducklings has snuggled in, their golden fluff glowing against the cold gray light outside. The sill holds a plant and a few quiet shadows, and the whole room feels hushed. Even the plant on the sill looks cozy, and outside the bare trees fade into a pale pink winter sky.

Border Collies are widely thought of as one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and they have a famous intensity when they watch something move. That stare, sometimes called eye, is part of how they herd. They do best with a lot of daily activity and mental work, so winter days when they are stuck indoors call for training games, food puzzles and short bursts of play.

Winter is also a good time to double check the basics. Pets need a warm place to sleep away from drafts, and young birds especially need a reliable heat source. Dogs in snowy areas should have their paws wiped after walks, since salt and de-icer can irritate skin.

The window will stay frosty for a while yet, and no one in the room seems to mind. Some of the best winter moments happen on the warm side of the glass.

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