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A grandpa with a white mustache sits at a lace-covered table with tea and cookies, smiling at a blue merle Border Collie. 7 / 22

Grandpa Earl Never Misses Afternoon Tea, and Neither Does His Border Collie

AI imageborder collieafternoon teakitchen

It may not be the sort of thing anyone expects from a man in a fishing vest, but Earl takes his afternoon tea seriously. The kitchen table is dressed in a white lace cloth, there is a porcelain teapot with a matching cup and saucer, a silver spoon, and a little plate of round shortbread cookies. The window light is soft and the kitchen is tidy enough. Earl sits back with his arms folded and a wide, crinkle-eyed smile under his white mustache. Across the corner of the table, Skye sits tall and gazes up at him, her blue merle head tilted and her ears soft, as though they are deep in conversation about who gets the last cookie.

Border Collies are often described as one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and they are known for reading human body language remarkably well. Many owners swear their collie understands entire sentences. What is certain is that these dogs pick up on routines, gestures, and tones of voice very quickly, which makes them highly trainable but also very good at noticing when a cookie plate appears. Butter cookies and other sweets are best kept for people, since sugar and fat are not good for dogs, and some baked goods contain ingredients like xylitol or raisins that are toxic. Keep a few dog treats nearby for tea-time manners instead.

The two of them look like they have done this a hundred times: the clink of the cup, the polite stare, the eventual small reward from the treat jar. Some friendships are built on long walks. This one also runs on tea.

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