Two Heads Over the Fence: A Lab Puppy and a Pony Spy on the Hens
The fence is the best seat in the yard. A golden puppy has hopped up and hooked both paws over the top rail, and next to him a shaggy brown pony stretches his neck out for a better look. On the other side of the wire, a few hens in brown and white scratch through the dirt, completely unaware of their audience. The late sun lights the puppy's soft ears and the pony's wild forelock, and a garden shed and a few potted plants sit in the background.
Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly, eager and quick to make friends, and a puppy of this breed is usually curious about everything, including a new animal on the farm. Labs are happiest with daily exercise and something to do, from fetch to simple training games. Puppies learn a lot about the world between roughly eight and sixteen weeks, so calm, positive meetings with new animals go a long way, and your vet can say when it's safe to start. Ponies are herd animals who enjoy company, but a hoof is heavy, so puppies and ponies should always be introduced under watchful eyes.
For now, the two of them are sharing the same important project. The hens are doing something fascinating, and neither of them wants to miss it. It's a good reminder that friends are often made by looking at the same thing.
