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A black tricolor Australian Shepherd sits in the snow beside a small snowman with a carrot nose outside a house. 18 / 25

Bandit Sat Down Next to the Snowman Like It Was a New Friend

AI imageaustralian shepherdsnowmanchristmas snow

Sitting upright and proud, the black tricolor Australian Shepherd keeps his amber eyes on something just beyond the camera. Beside him stands a small, rather round snowman with coal eyes, a tiny carrot nose, and twig arms. Fresh snow covers the ground, a wreath hangs on the porch rail behind them, and the glow of a lamp shines through the window of the house. His white chest and the tan eyebrows above his eyes stand out sharply against the soft grey light of a winter afternoon.

Australian Shepherds are intelligent, athletic herding dogs with a thick double coat that handles cold weather well. They tend to be loyal and watchful, and they need plenty of exercise and mental work every day. Snowy days offer a good chance to play games like fetch, hide-and-seek, or follow the leader. They often love having a job, even if the job is to guard a snowman.

After time in the snow, check your dog's paws and the long fur on his legs and belly for clumps of ice, which can be uncomfortable. A quick towel dry at the door and a warm place to rest are good habits. If he starts to shiver or lift his paws, it's time to go inside. Your vet can advise on cold-weather limits for your dog. Bring him in for a drink of water too, because dogs can get thirsty even when it's cold.

We'll call him Bandit. The snowman has promised to stay put, so Bandit's guard duty is going very smoothly.

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