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An elderly Black woman in a blue apron bakes cookies as a tricolor Australian Shepherd with flour on its nose watches. 12 / 28

Mae Was Baking Cookies When She Noticed the Flour on Bandit's Nose

AI imageaustralian shepherdbakingkitchen

A tray of golden chocolate chip cookies cools on the counter, and the kitchen smells like warm butter and sugar. Mae stands at the floury countertop in a denim apron over a grey sweatshirt, glasses pushed up on her silver hair, mixing a second batch of dough in a metal bowl with a gentle smile. Bandit has leaned right in beside her, his chin hovering at counter level and a perfect dusting of white flour on his nose, looking up at her with warm brown eyes. A spatula, a bowl of flour, and a dish towel sit nearby, and a houseplant and coffee mug brighten the background.

Baking days are full of temptations for dogs, and several common ingredients are dangerous. Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs can't process well, and dark and baking chocolate are the most concerning. Raw cookie dough is another hazard: uncooked flour can carry bacteria, raw eggs pose a risk, and yeast dough can expand in a dog's stomach. Raisins, macadamia nuts, and sugar-free ingredients containing xylitol are all toxic to dogs as well. Keep finished cookies and dough well back from the counter edge, especially with a tall, clever dog like an Australian Shepherd who may learn to counter-surf. A little flour on the nose won't hurt, but if your dog eats chocolate, dough, or any xylitol product, contact your vet or a pet poison hotline immediately, even if he seems fine.

Bandit didn't get a cookie, but he did get a flour-dusted badge of honor for supervising. Mae will surely have a dog-safe treat waiting for her baking buddy.

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