A Blue Merle Border Collie Turns Into a Bumblebee in the Leaves

Little yellow antennae bob on the hood, two translucent wings sit on his back and a fuzzy striped bumblebee suit covers a blue merle Border Collie from neck to tail. He sits in a thick carpet of orange and brown leaves, glancing to one side with a pale blue eye and a speckled gray face. Behind him, a jack-o'-lantern, a backpack and a jacket rest near a doorway.

Border Collies are among the most intelligent dog breeds, bred to herd sheep with remarkable focus. They tend to need a lot of exercise and mental work, like training games, puzzle feeders and learning new tricks. A bored Border Collie may invent a task of his own, such as herding family members or following every move, so a daily routine of activity is helpful.

Costume wings should be light and not catch on anything, and the suit should leave plenty of room to move and breathe. Leaf piles are a joy for dogs, though a quick check is smart for sharp sticks or wet, moldy leaves, and your dog should not nibble on the leaves. If he starts to paw at the hood, it is time to call the photo session finished.

We will call him Buzz, and he looks as if he is holding a very serious meeting among the leaves. There is no flower to find, but the bee is happy anyway. It is a charming autumn moment for a very thoughtful insect.