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A blue merle dog sleeps on a patterned rug outside at dusk with five yellow ducklings lined up at his nose. 13 / 34

The Lantern Came On, and the Dog and Ducklings Settled for the Night

AI imageblue merleducklingsporch rug

Dusk has turned the porch rug into a quiet little bedroom. A blue merle dog lies stretched out with his chin on the weave, eyes half closed, and a row of five yellow ducklings is parked right in front of his nose. A lantern glows on the weathered wall behind them, flowerpots sit in the shadows, and the whole yard seems to be winding down for the night. A few dry leaves have blown onto the rug, and the air looks cool and still.

Blue merle is a coat pattern, not a breed, and it shows up in several herding dogs such as Australian Shepherds and Border Collies. Those dogs are smart and energetic, so a calm evening like this often follows a busy day of work or play. Ducklings, on the other hand, can't stay out in cool night air for long because they chill easily. Warm, covered shelter is the right place for them once the sun goes down. A dog this calm is a good sign of a well-exercised day, but the ducklings still need a warm brooder overnight.

The patterned rug adds a cozy, handmade feel, and the lantern makes the colors look golden and soft. Even the dog's speckled gray fur seems to glow a little.

There is a sweet sort of trust in the way the ducklings sleep so close to the dog's face. He barely breathes, careful not to disturb them, and the evening slowly slides toward dark.

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