Photo credit: Sherrie Stille

As the Flatirons glow with autumn light and crunchy leaves line the paths, today’s Boulder Dog of the Day, Addie, is in her element—pinecone season. In this epic fall photo, Addie sails forward with her two front paws catching air, a perfect pinecone gripped proudly in her mouth. It’s the very picture of October happiness in Colorado.

Why pinecones? For many dogs, they’re nature’s ultimate toy: richly scented, satisfyingly textured, and fun to chase as they bounce and roll in unpredictable piarcs. Colorado’s forests drop a buffet of cones each fall—especially from iconic natives like the ponderosa pine and other high-country conifers—turning every walk into a treasure hunt. Learn more about the trees behind those cones from the National Park Service’s overview of the ponderosa pine here.

Addie’s bright white coat pops against Boulder’s russet trails and golden cottonwoods, a perfect contrast that makes her airborne leap feel almost cinematic. Her routine is simple: find a fallen cone, pounce, sprint, repeat. That natural “play script” taps right into a dog’s instincts—novel scent, crunchy feedback, and the triumph of carrying the prize for all to admire.

Coot Lake Boulder

Boulder’s autumn offers endless backdrops for pinecone play, from neighborhood greens to the mellow paths near Coot Lake and beyond. For safety, keep an eye on chewing—cones are great for fetch and carry, less so for heavy gnawing—and bring a favorite backup toy if your pup gets too enthusiastic. A quick pocket check for treats never hurts either; positive trade-outs keep the fun rolling.

Most of all, Addie reminds us what fall is about: finding small joys and chasing them wholeheartedly. If you’re planning your own crisp-air ramble, our local guide to seasonal Boulder fun has plenty of ideas tucked in for you to explore right here.

Here’s to Addie, airborne paws and pinecone trophy held high—proof that the best parts of autumn are free, fragrant, and falling at our feet.

AboutBoulder-admin