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Five red and white Border Collie puppies squeeze together on a hay bale near a farmhouse porch with coats and boots. 12 / 31

Five Puppies and One Hay Bale: Somebody Is Always on Top

AI imageborder colliered and whitefarm

Five red and white Border Collie puppies have claimed a hay bale by the back door, and none of them is willing to give up a spot. The one on top peers over the pile with perked ears, three more squeeze into a heap in the middle, and the smallest has flopped onto the straw at the front with its chin on its paws. Coats hang on hooks behind them and a pair of boots waits by the door.

Hay and straw make a rustic backdrop, but they are not ideal for actual puppy bedding. Straw can be dusty, and hay can irritate noses and eyes or be nibbled by a curious pup. For a bed, soft washable blankets are a safer choice. Supervise play around farm materials and keep an eye out for burrs or sharp bits stuck in a fluffy coat after outdoor fun.

Border Collies were developed on farms, and the breed's work ethic runs deep. Even tiny puppies show curiosity about moving animals, gates and tools. A home without sheep can still satisfy that drive with training games, puzzle toys and plenty of exercise, which helps prevent boredom and the mischief that goes with it.

The mood on this hay bale, though, is pure relaxation. After a busy morning of exploring the yard, five puppies have decided that this is the best seat in the barnyard, and they plan to stay put until dinner.

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