Gregor,
Your suggestions are worthwhile, but as you know I really do not like to do too much manipulation, the leaves could go as they do not add much other than a different colour. But then where do you stop, there is dried grass cutting across the paw, tiny pieces of grass over the leg, etc. etc.
The main problem with this is the shade and the very bright sand both of which are not uniform in distribution, but that is nature for you. I know some like to wait for that perfect golden light but I am willing to try anything to capture a moment, sometimes it works sometimes it does not, in this case although far from perfect, I think the subject is worth it.

Technical perfection is not my goal.