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A blue merle Australian Shepherd sits on a carpet beside a shredded teddy bear, looking up with soft eyes. 9 / 26

The Teddy Bear Did Not Survive Its Afternoon With the Aussie

AI imageaustralian shepherdteddy bearliving room

The teddy bear has seen better days, and everyone in the room knows it. A blue merle Australian Shepherd with two brown eyes and a face full of freckles sits beside the stuffed bear, whose fabric is frayed and open and whose stuffing lies across the carpet. The dog looks up sweetly, with her head slightly lowered, as though she is hoping for a gentle review. Behind her are a sofa with a green throw, a rope toy, a wooden coffee table, and warm light from the sliding door.

Chewing is natural for dogs, and it helps them relieve boredom, stress, and teething discomfort. Australian Shepherds are energetic herding dogs that need lots of exercise and mental work, and a bored Aussie may turn a favorite toy into a project. Offering durable chew toys, rotating them often, and giving plenty of playtime can help. Plush toys are best used with supervision, because swallowed stuffing or fabric can cause problems, and it is smart to take away a toy when it begins to fall apart. If your dog swallows part of a toy, call your vet for guidance.

The poor bear gave his best, and the dog seems to feel a little guilty about the whole thing. Maybe a replacement is on its way, one with sturdier stitching. Until then, the quiet face of the dog and the very flat bear make a sweet and slightly funny scene.

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