A French Bulldog Was Tromping Through the Leaves When It Heard Something
Crunch, crunch, crunch. A pale fawn French Bulldog stands knee-deep in a pile of orange and brown maple leaves, bat ears pricked and wrinkled face turned to one side as though it just heard something rustle in the pile. Two big round pumpkins and a smaller one sit nearby in the leaves, and up on the step behind, a wicker basket holds a plaid blanket and gardening gloves, a pot of rust-colored mums blooms and a green watering can waits by the door. The late-afternoon sun gives everything a warm autumn glow.
French Bulldogs are compact, affectionate and full of character, and many love a good romp outside, though they tire more quickly than some breeds. As a flat-faced breed, they can have trouble breathing during heavy exercise, so short play sessions with rests are best. Leaf piles are fun but can hide sticks, thorns, acorns, mushrooms and mold, any of which may cause trouble if chewed. Some decorative pumpkins and gourds may also be treated with sprays or begin to rot outdoors, so it is best not to let dogs snack on them. A quick paw check after outdoor play helps catch any burrs or small cuts.
A pile of leaves, a few pumpkins and one very curious Frenchie add up to the perfect fall afternoon. The raking can wait until this little explorer is done investigating.
