Harold Made a Big Bowl of Popcorn for Movie Night. Duke Was Right at Eye Level.
The lamps are low, the throw blankets are piled on the couch, and movie night is underway. Harold holds a bowl heaped with fluffy popcorn while Bev snuggles in close beside him, both grinning in their matching cream cable-knit sweaters. Duke has positioned himself right in front of the couch, his huge fawn head level with the popcorn bowl, eyes rolled up toward Harold in a perfect picture of patient longing. Bookshelves, framed art, trailing plants, and a warm lamp glow fill the cozy living room behind them.
Popcorn and dogs can be a tricky mix. Plain, air-popped popcorn without butter, salt, or seasoning is generally considered safe for dogs as an occasional treat, but movie-night popcorn is usually loaded with fat and salt that can upset a dog's stomach. Seasonings like garlic or onion powder are toxic to dogs, and unpopped kernels can damage teeth or pose a choking risk. For a giant breed like a Great Dane, a few plain pieces are hardly a snack anyway. A long-lasting chew or a stuffed food puzzle is often a better way to keep a big dog content and occupied during the film.
Duke's patience is impressive, and his timing is perfect. Harold and Bev may not see much of the movie, but with a face like that resting by the bowl, they hardly seem to mind.
