The Black Poodle Was Surprisingly Calm About His Passenger
Backyard rules have been rewritten, and the horse is riding the dog. Copper has hopped up onto the back of a big black Poodle, front hooves hanging over the curly shoulders and chin held high, like a very pleased jockey. The Poodle stands steady with tongue out in a cheerful grin. Behind them are a wooden fence, a watering can and a few garden pots, all watching this tiny parade go by. The grass is patchy, there is a pair of gardening gloves on the step, and the Poodle's tail looks ready to wag at any moment.
Standard Poodles are athletic, intelligent dogs, originally bred as water retrievers, and they tend to be eager learners. They need regular grooming and plenty of mental exercise. They are also known for being patient and tolerant, but no dog should be asked to carry a heavy load. A real horse should never ride a dog, and anyone raising pets together should watch that play does not get rough, especially when there is a big size difference. This is a cheerful picture, but the safe version of horse-and-dog fun is walks, sniffing and sharing the yard. Many dogs enjoy a game of chase or gentle sniffing with larger animals, and that kind of play is much safer for everyone involved.
The Poodle looks happy, and Copper looks proud. Whatever this game is called, they have clearly agreed on the rules.
