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A black and white Border Collie sits in a wicker laundry basket overflowing with clean clothes, ears slightly back. 15 / 30

A Border Collie Has Taken Charge of the Laundry Basket

AI imageborder collielaundry baskethallway

The laundry was supposed to be folded, and instead a black-and-white Border Collie has made himself at home in the basket. He sits upright with his chest white as snow, his ears slightly back, and his intelligent brown eyes looking straight at you with a hint of worry. Towels and shirts droop over the wicker edge in soft gray piles.

More clothes lie scattered across the wooden floor, a plant sits by a bright doorway, and a pair of slippers rests near the wall. The late light makes the whole scene look warm and a little sleepy.

Border Collies are some of the busiest dogs around. They were bred to herd sheep, and they have lots of energy, speed, and focus. Without a job, they may invent their own, such as gathering and rearranging household objects. Dogs also like to nest in soft piles that smell like their people, so a basket of laundry is hard to resist. Offer him a comfortable bed of his own, give him daily exercise and training games, and teach a cue like drop it so that you can swap socks for treats. Talk to your vet about how much exercise suits your dog.

He looks as if he is waiting for instructions, which is fitting for a herder. The laundry may take a while, but he is happy to supervise.

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