Browse ›
Grandpa in plaid holds a vanilla ice cream cone as a Beagle stretches its tongue out to lick it in a sunny kitchen. 16 / 21

Grandpa Got Himself a Vanilla Cone on a Hot Day. He Should Have Held It Higher.

AI imagebeagleice creamsummer

It is a hot afternoon, and sunlight is streaming through the kitchen blinds onto the counters, a bunch of bananas, and a row of potted plants. Grandpa Hank stands with a waffle cone piled high with vanilla ice cream, already melting in soft drips. He was planning to enjoy it himself, but Rusty has other ideas. The Beagle has stretched his neck up, eyes half closed in bliss, pink tongue reaching for the scoop. Hank looks down with a gentle, resigned smile, clearly a man who has lost this negotiation before and does not mind losing it again.

It is tempting to share a cold treat with a dog on a hot day, but regular ice cream is not a great choice. Many adult dogs do not digest lactose well, so dairy can lead to an upset stomach. Ice cream is also high in sugar and fat, and some flavors contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, coffee, or the sweetener xylitol, which can be found in some sugar-free products. Safer options include frozen treats made especially for dogs, or a homemade version like frozen plain yogurt or blended banana in an ice cube tray, given in small amounts. Fresh water and shade remain the best ways to help a dog beat the heat.

One sneaky lick probably will not ruin anyone's day, but Hank might be wise to keep the rest of the cone a little higher. Then again, sharing seems to be the whole point of summer around here.

More from this collection

All 21 →
Grandpa in red plaid sits on a covered porch with a Beagle at his side, both gazing out at heavy rain falling on the trees.The Rain Came Down in Sheets. Grandpa and Rusty Had the Best Seat on the Porch.Grandpa in glasses and a blue flannel sips iced lemonade on a shaded porch with a Beagle sitting close in front of him.Grandpa Poured Himself a Cold Lemonade as the Porch Lights Came On
Grandpa in red plaid holds a Beagle up at an open window as light snow falls on the yard outside.The First Snow of the Year Started Falling. Grandpa Didn't Want Rusty to Miss It.Grandpa in a plaid shirt holds a sandwich on a wooden park bench as a Beagle sitting beside him sniffs it closely.Grandpa Unwrapped His Sandwich on the Park Bench. The Negotiations Began Immediately.Grandpa wearing headphones and a red plaid shirt sits by a turntable and record shelf while a Beagle gazes up at him.Grandpa Put On His Headphones and an Old Record. Rusty Couldn't Hear a Thing.White-haired grandpa in a red flannel shirt sprinkles feed for mallard ducks at a garden pond as a Beagle watches beside him.Grandpa Hank Brought Feed for the Ducks. Rusty Had His Own Ideas About Who Deserved It.