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A black and white Border Collie is held up in someone's arms beside a lit Christmas tree topped with a star. 1 / 26

The Border Collie Got the Honor of Reaching the Tree's Star

AI imageborder colliechristmas treestar

Held securely in a pair of arms, a black and white Border Collie stretches toward the top of the Christmas tree with her ears alert and her eyes tracking the golden star. The tree is covered in tiny lights, red baubles and paper stars, and a pile of wrapped gifts sits at its base. A cozy room with a couch and a framed photo sits in the background, and the person lifting her wears a soft grey sweatshirt.

Border Collies are famously smart, energetic herding dogs that love having a job to do, so helping with the tree star is right up this dog's alley. They need plenty of exercise and mental activity, and bored Border Collies can invent their own projects, like rearranging ornaments. If you lift a dog, support her chest and hindquarters. Be careful with larger dogs, as lifting can strain your back or hers, and a sturdy step stool is a good alternative. Keep the tree stable, and keep tinsel and glass ornaments out of tail-wagging range.

Let's call her Maisie. She's very still for once, as though she understands the importance of this holiday ritual. When she's set back on the floor, her tail will wag at top speed, and the tree will probably get a thorough inspection of its lower branches. Border Collies love being included, and this one clearly takes her job seriously.

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