Browse ›
A red merle Australian Shepherd with wide eyes sits on a wet wooden floor beside a tipped-over blue water bowl. 9 / 31

A Red Merle Aussie Froze Mid-Splash Beside His Tipped Water Bowl

AI imageaustralian shepherdspilled watercaught in the act

The bowl has tipped, the water has spread, and a red merle Australian Shepherd sits in the middle of it with eyes as wide as they can go. His speckled coat is damp at the paws, his ears are tilted back, and his white chest is bright against the dark wood. A blue water bowl lies on its side nearby, with a thin shimmer of water spreading across the boards.

Behind him, a pile of laundry, a tote bag, a pair of sneakers, and a bright blue ball sit by the window. Daylight reflects across the wet floor. We'll call him Splash. He seems to have discovered that water makes a very good puddle, and now he's wondering what to do next.

Australian Shepherds are bright, energetic herding dogs, and they often invent games when they need activity. Splashing in water bowls is common, and some dogs knock them over to play or to cool off. Offer a heavy, wide-based bowl or a spill-proof model, and place it on a mat to protect the floor. Make sure he always has fresh water, especially in warm weather. Aussies need plenty of exercise and mental work, like training games, agility, and puzzle toys, to prevent boredom. Mop up spills quickly, since slippery floors are hard on a dog's joints and paws. If he suddenly drinks far more than usual, mention it to your vet.

Splash sits in his puddle, wide-eyed and damp, hoping that the floor will dry before anyone notices.

More from this collection

All 31 →
A salt and pepper Miniature Schnauzer sits wrapped in loops of cream yarn beside a tipped basket of colorful yarn balls.A Miniature Schnauzer Wrapped Himself in Yarn and Looked Very SeriousA tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog sits on a floor covered with crushed red tulip petals and green stems, looking up.A Bernese Mountain Dog Sits Solemnly in a Floor Full of Red Petals
A red Goldendoodle in a red collar looks away from a living room floor covered in shredded newspaper and paper scraps.A Goldendoodle Pretended Not to Notice the Mountain of Shredded PaperA fawn and white Bulldog with big innocent eyes sits on a lawn beside a ripped black garbage bag and scattered trash.A Bulldog Sat Sadly Beside the Garbage Bag He Had OpenedA brindle Boxer with soulful brown eyes sits amid white foam and stuffing pulled from a torn couch.A Brindle Boxer Sat in the Middle of a Blizzard of Couch StuffingA buff Cocker Spaniel with long silky ears holds a bundle of gray, blue, and pink socks in its mouth in a hallway.A Buff Cocker Spaniel Marched in With a Mouthful of Colorful Socks