The Candy Bag Disappeared. The Australian Shepherd Sat There Looking Innocent.
Brown eyebrows raised, a mouthful of crinkly plastic and no sign of regret: this black tricolor Australian Shepherd has carried off a whole bag of candy corn. He sits upright on the rug, bag clamped neatly between his teeth, his white chest and soft ears glowing in the lamplight. Pumpkins, a witch hat and a warm sofa fill the room behind him.
Australian Shepherds are smart, athletic herding dogs who love having a job. They tend to be energetic, clever and very attached to their families, which also means they can invent their own projects if they get bored. Mental games, training and regular exercise help channel that brainpower toward something more useful than candy heists.
Halloween candy and dogs are a poor mix. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, sweeteners like xylitol can be dangerous, and wrappers and plastic bags can cause blockages or choking. Even candy corn, which is just sugar, can upset a dog's stomach. Store candy in sealed containers on high shelves, and if your dog swallows any, call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.
For the moment, the bag is still intact, and the thief looks pleased with himself. He is quite sure no one will notice, which is optimistic given that he is sitting in the middle of the room. The bag will go back where it belongs, and the dog will go on dreaming of a sweeter life.
