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An older Black woman fills in a crossword at a breakfast table while a white Maltese rests its front paws on the table edge. 19 / 26

Grandma Odessa Was Stuck on a Crossword Clue. Pearl Climbed Up to Take a Look.

AI imagemaltesecrosswordbreakfast

Breakfast is half eaten, and the crossword has taken over. Grandma Odessa sits at the wooden kitchen table in a gray cardigan over a navy top, pencil in hand, carefully filling in a word on a fresh puzzle grid. A mug of coffee sits by her elbow, alongside a plate of toast with strawberries, a glass of water, and a flaky croissant on a small plate at the corner. Pearl has propped her front paws right up on the edge of the table, her fluffy white face peering at the puzzle and, perhaps more importantly, in the general direction of that croissant.

Puzzles like crosswords, word searches, and sudoku are popular ways for older adults to keep the mind engaged, and many people enjoy them as a relaxing morning ritual. Dogs benefit from mental challenges too. Food puzzles, snuffle mats, and short training sessions can help keep a dog's mind active, which is especially valuable for small, clever breeds. As for table manners, many families discourage paws on the table, and consistent training helps. Teaching a dog to settle on a nearby mat during meals keeps buttery croissants, grapes from a fruit bowl, and other risky foods out of reach.

Odessa does not seem bothered by her fluffy assistant. Maybe Pearl is helping with a tricky clue, like a four-letter word for a small white dog.

Whatever the final answer, the morning is off to a perfectly pleasant start, one square at a time.

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