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A golden Retriever smiles beside a chewed-up blue homework notebook with torn pages on the floor. 5 / 28

A Golden Retriever Smiles Beside the Homework She Chewed Up

AI imagegolden retrieverhomeworkchewed notebook

Here is a homework excuse that might actually be true. A golden Retriever sits with a bright smile and warm brown eyes beside a blue notebook that has been chewed to bits. Torn pages and little scraps of paper lie across the rug, and a soft golden coat glows in the sunlight. She looks so happy that it is hard to believe she has done anything wrong.

Golden Retrievers love to carry and chew, and a soft paper notebook is just the right size and texture. Puppies and young dogs especially use their mouths to explore, and chewing helps relieve boredom and, in young dogs, the discomfort of teething. The pages also smell like the children of the house, which makes them even more interesting.

If your dog is a chewer, give her plenty of safe things to gnaw, such as sturdy rubber toys, and put schoolwork, shoes and other treasures out of reach. Small bits of paper are usually not a problem, but a dog that swallows a lot can have stomach trouble, so keep an eye on her. Talk to your vet if chewing becomes constant.

The retriever, of course, has a perfectly good explanation: it was an accident, or maybe it was a very difficult assignment. Either way, she is smiling, relaxed and entirely at peace. The teacher may have to hear this one in person.

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