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An older man in a green sweater holds out a vanilla ice cream cone as a red merle Australian Shepherd licks it in the sun. 19 / 32

Kenji Bought One Ice Cream Cone on the Hottest Day of the Year. Just One.

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Sun-baked and slow, the afternoon calls for something cold. Kenji stands on the patio in an olive sweater and blue shirt, laughing as he holds a waffle cone piled with vanilla ice cream. Maple has stretched her neck up as far as it will go, tongue out mid-lick, eyes half-closed in pure bliss. Her merle ruff glows in the bright light and her brown collar peeks through the fluff. Around them, potted plants line the weathered siding of the house, a water bottle sits on the ground, and a pair of flip-flops lies abandoned near the door.

Sharing a bite of ice cream is a summertime classic, but it is worth knowing what is in the cone. Many adult dogs do not digest lactose well, so dairy can lead to an upset stomach. Chocolate, coffee, and some nuts are dangerous for dogs, and certain sugar-free or low-sugar desserts are sweetened with xylitol, which is highly toxic to them. A tiny lick of plain vanilla is unlikely to cause trouble for most healthy dogs, but a better habit is to keep dog-friendly frozen treats on hand. Frozen plain yogurt in small amounts, frozen banana slices, or ice cubes made with water and a little low-sodium broth are easy options. Talk to your vet if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Hot days are better when they are shared, and Kenji clearly agrees. Whether Maple gets one lick or a few, that happy face is the real treat.

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