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A black tricolor Australian Shepherd sitting on a beige carpet next to a torn teddy bear with stuffing scattered around 8 / 29

The Aussie Swears the Teddy Bear Was Already Like That

AI imageaustralian shepherdcaught in the actliving room

A teddy bear lies on the carpet in pieces, stuffing scattered like tiny clouds, while a black tricolor Australian Shepherd sits close by with its head tilted in a pose of pure innocence. White blaze, amber brows, bright brown eyes, and a chest of snowy fur all point toward the camera. A pair of slippers and a basket of blankets sit in the soft light behind, and the carpet is dusted with fluff.

Australian Shepherds are intelligent, athletic herding dogs that need a lot of mental and physical exercise. Without enough to do, a smart dog can invent its own jobs, and shredding a plush toy is a very satisfying one. Daily play, training sessions, and puzzle toys can help keep an Aussie occupied. When a stuffed toy does come apart, pick up the pieces quickly: stuffing and plastic eyes can cause problems if swallowed, and if you think your dog ate some, talk to your vet. Many owners choose tougher toys for chewers and save the soft ones for supervised play only.

The teddy gave everything it had. The Aussie, meanwhile, looks ready to explain that the bear was already like that when it arrived, and nobody in the room is quite brave enough to ask for details. Perhaps the bear can be mended, or perhaps it simply goes down in history as a very brave toy.

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