Grandma Bea's Ice Cream Was Melting Fast. Dumpling Offered to Help With That.
It is a hot afternoon, and the vanilla scoop is already starting to soften in its waffle cone. Grandma Bea holds it out with a grin, her silver hair pulled back and her oatmeal cardigan pushed open over a light blue shirt. Dumpling has seized his chance, sticking out his pink tongue for a quick lick, his eyes rolled up toward her as if checking whether he is allowed. Behind them, the sunny patio is full of little details: a pair of sneakers and sandals by the open door, a straw hat on a chair, potted plants, a watering can, and a water bottle.
Ice cream is a summer favorite, but it is not an ideal treat for dogs. Many adult dogs have trouble digesting lactose, which can cause stomach upset, and the sugar and fat add up quickly for a breed like the Bulldog that gains weight easily. Chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free products, are both toxic to dogs. A safer way to share the fun is a frozen treat made for dogs, or a homemade version with plain yogurt or mashed banana frozen in small portions. On hot days, Bulldogs need shade and cool water more than any dessert, since they overheat easily.
Still, one tiny lick of vanilla on a summer afternoon is the kind of memory that makes Grandma Bea laugh for days. The cone is mostly hers, the moment is entirely theirs, and Dumpling clearly considers it the best part of summer.
