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A smiling white-haired woman in glasses holds a sandwich on a garden bench as a blue merle Australian Shepherd sniffs it. 27 / 30

Grandma June Unwrapped Her Sandwich on the Bench. Blue Had One Question.

AI imageaustralian shepherdlunchgarden

Lunch break on the old wooden bench, and June has a hearty sandwich packed with deli meat and greens. She sits in her olive quilted vest and red plaid flannel, glasses on and smiling down at the sandwich, and at the very interested nose pointing straight at it. Blue sits at her knee, his blue merle head tilted upward, his eyes half closed as he takes a long, appreciative sniff. A tote bag, a potted plant, a coiled hose, and a weathered fence frame the slightly wild autumn garden behind them.

Most dogs find sandwiches irresistible, and it is easy to give in to those hopeful eyes. But many sandwich fillings are not good for dogs. Onions and garlic are toxic, even in small amounts. Processed meats are usually high in salt and fat, and some condiments contain ingredients that can upset a dog's stomach. If you want to share, a small piece of plain cooked chicken or turkey is a safer choice. Australian Shepherds are smart and can quickly learn that begging works, so it is often better to bring along a few dog treats and reward calm, polite behavior instead.

Whether Blue gets a tiny bite or settles for a treat, he has certainly made his opinion of the sandwich clear. June seems to be enjoying the company as much as the lunch.

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