A Blue Merle Border Collie Has Thought This Sandwich Through

A speckled blue merle Border Collie looks straight up at the viewer, dark eyes searching, while a half-eaten sandwich lies on the kitchen floor beside the paws. Lettuce and slices of turkey peek out, and crumbs have scattered across the tiles. A cutting board and a cup stand on the counter behind, along with a basket of shoes.

Border Collies are widely seen as one of the smartest dog breeds, bred to herd sheep and to think for themselves. That clever brain needs plenty to do, and a dog that isn't challenged enough will often find its own entertainment, like figuring out how a sandwich can reach the floor. Daily exercise, training games, and puzzle toys help keep a Border Collie busy. Sandwich fillings can include onions, salty meats, and sauces, which aren't good for dogs, so keep lunch up high and teach a solid "leave it." If your dog snags something unusual, a quick call to your vet can set your mind at ease.

Lunch will be a bit smaller today. The Border Collie, ever the strategist, has already figured out how the whole thing happened, and is giving a very thoughtful look that suggests it might have been someone else's fault. Perhaps the sandwich will taste better in memory than it did on the floor, though the collie would not agree.