Three Red Dachshund Puppies Disappear Into the Tall Summer Grass
The grass is nearly up to their shoulders, and three red Dachshund puppies sit shoulder to shoulder in the middle of it. Their coats look like warm copper against the green, their ears hang softly, and their eyes follow something just beyond the camera. Behind them is a garden chair with a plaid blanket, a watering can and an open door.
Tall summer grass is full of smells and surprises, which is exactly why puppies are drawn to it. It also holds a few risks. Grass seeds, called foxtails or awns in some regions, can lodge in ears, paws and noses and cause trouble, so check your dog after a walk. Ticks and fleas wait in long grass as well, so ask your vet about prevention. Fertilizers and mowing products can irritate paws, and standing water in the garden attracts mosquitoes. A short-legged Dachshund can easily vanish in long grass, so keep a close watch and consider a harness with a lightweight leash for first walks. Afterward, brush through the coat and wipe paws.
Right now the trio is sitting still, just enjoying the breeze. The garden is quiet, the sun is warm, and the grass sways around three well-behaved pups. A flick of a tail or a twitch of a nose is the only sign that adventure may be coming soon, perhaps after a snack.
