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A red and white Saint Bernard sprawls on the floor with a cluster of ducklings nestled on his white fur. 12 / 33

A Saint Bernard Stayed Perfectly Still for One Very Good Reason

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Some dogs are built for cuddling, and this Saint Bernard is a gold medalist. He has flopped onto the floor in a room full of scattered toys and tossed blankets, his big head resting flat and his eyes half shut, while a cluster of yellow ducklings has piled onto the thick white fur of his belly. A tennis ball sits in the background, a wooden block lies nearby, and nobody is bothered by the mess.

Saint Bernards are giant, gentle dogs, historically bred as mountain rescue companions. Today they are better known as sweet, patient family dogs, and many are famously tolerant with small creatures. Their size is the main thing to manage: a dog this large can crush a little animal with one careless roll, so supervision matters, however good-natured he is. They also drool, shed heavily and overheat in warm weather, so cool floors and fresh water are a must.

For ducklings, warmth and softness are everything. They are happiest packed close together, and a steady heartbeat and gentle body heat make a very good lullaby, though a proper heat source is still the safe way to keep young birds comfortable.

The afternoon light slides across the floor, the dog sighs a long, slow sigh, and the little yellow passengers rise and fall with every breath. It is hard to think of a more peaceful way to spend a lazy day.

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