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A grandmother in glasses and a floral apron strokes a white Maltese's head beside a patio breakfast table. 14 / 32

Breakfast Was Ready on the Patio, but Abuela's Hands Were Busy With Something Else

AI imagemaltesebreakfastpatio

Breakfast is laid out on the little patio table: half an avocado, a plate of strawberries and blueberries, a mug of coffee, and a folded striped napkin. But Abuela Rosa is not eating just yet. She has turned in her chair to give Copito a slow scratch behind the ear, and he has gone completely soft about it, eyes half-closed, chin tilted up in bliss. Rosa smiles at him over her round glasses, her denim shirt and floral apron catching the morning sun. Behind them, potted succulents and herbs line the walkway, and fallen leaves gather in the corners of the courtyard.

That breakfast spread is a good reminder that not every healthy human food is good for dogs. Plain blueberries and sliced strawberries are generally considered safe, low-calorie treats for most dogs in small amounts. Avocado is a different story. The pit is a serious choking and blockage hazard, and the skin and leaves contain a substance called persin that can upset dogs, so it is best to keep avocado off the menu entirely. With small breeds, keep fruit portions tiny and cut into bite-size pieces. When adding any new food, introduce it slowly and ask your vet if you are unsure.

Copito is not thinking about fruit at all right now. He has the one thing on that patio he wanted most, which is Rosa's full attention. Breakfast can wait a minute; an ear scratch like this one cannot.

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