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A red and white Border Collie puppy sleeps on a pile of crumpled red and green holiday wrapping paper. 25 / 26

Patch Tried to Rest After the Presents and Found a Soft Spot

AI imageborder colliechristmasnap

The present-opening is over, and the biggest mess of the morning now has a sleeper in the middle of it. A red and white Border Collie puppy lies on his side atop a pile of crinkled wrapping paper, with snowflakes and evergreen branches printed on the sheets. His eyes are closed, one white paw is stretched out, and his soft face rests on the paper as though it were a pillow. Beyond him, a doorway and some greenery show a quiet house.

Puppies nap a lot, often for most of the day, and it usually comes in short bursts between play. Sleep is important for growth and learning, so after a lively holiday it makes sense to let him rest. Border Collies are known for energy and intelligence, so a puppy that falls asleep this quickly has likely had plenty of fun. A quiet bed is better in the long run, but a heap of paper can be a harmless place for a short snooze.

Do keep an eye on what is in the pile, though. Tape, ribbons, foil, and small decorations can be hazards if chewed and swallowed. Once the nap ends, clear the pile away, and replace it with a toy he is allowed to shred. This sleeper, whom we will call Patch, is far from worried about any of that. The room is calm, the paper is crinkly but soft, and his only plan is to dream about a very big field of snow.

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