The Good Teapot Came Out for Afternoon Tea. So Did Waffles's Most Soulful Look.
The good teapot is out, white and round with a little lid, and the lace tablecloth is scattered with crumbs from a buttered scone. Bea sits in a cream cardigan with her glasses on and her hair pinned up, smiling warmly, while Harold, in a green sweater, leans on the table with a cheeky grin, a cup of milky tea in front of him. Neither is looking at the tea, though. Both are watching Waffles, who has rested his chin right on the edge of the table, nose angled up toward the plate of pastries, one eye rolled up at the camera in a look of saintly, heartbreaking hope. A framed photo hangs on the blue wall behind them.
Afternoon tea is a lovely ritual, but most of what is on the table is best kept for people. Tea contains caffeine, which is not safe for dogs, and pastries are rich in butter and sugar. Some baked goods also include raisins, chocolate, or nuts, which can be harmful to dogs, and sugar-free treats may contain xylitol, which is very dangerous. If you would like to include your hound, set out a small plate of dog-safe biscuits or a few pieces of plain carrot. Teaching a dog to lie on a mat during meals keeps teatime calm and keeps those long ears out of the cream.
Harold looks like he might be negotiating a deal behind Bea's back. Whether or not Waffles gets a biscuit, he has certainly earned an award for the most soulful expression ever brought to a tea table.
