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An elderly Black woman in a green shirt holds a sandwich on a bench as a tricolor Australian Shepherd sniffs it closely. 20 / 28

Mae Lifted Her Sandwich for the First Bite. Bandit Was Already Plotting.

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A thick sandwich stacked with meat and lettuce is halfway to Mae's mouth, and Bandit is very interested. She sits on a wooden bench in the sunny backyard wearing a loose green shirt, glasses perched on top of her silver hair and a silver bangle on her wrist, smiling at the sly look on her dog's face. Bandit has edged in beside her, nose just inches from the bread, his brown eyes sliding sideways toward Mae as if checking whether she's noticed him. A wooden fence, a scruffy garden bed, a watering can, and some potted plants fill out the yard behind them.

That sideways glance is something many dog owners know well. Dogs are skilled at reading human attention and may time their moves for the moment you look away. To discourage sandwich theft, practice a solid leave it cue with treats at home before trying it with real food, and reward your dog heavily when he chooses to look away. Lunchtime temptations can also be risky. Onions and garlic, including powders in seasonings and dressings, can harm a dog's red blood cells, and grapes, raisins, and chocolate are toxic too. Deli meats tend to be salty and fatty, and some breads or spreads contain xylitol. If you'd like to share, a small piece of plain, unseasoned cooked chicken or turkey is a safer option. Your vet can offer guidance on healthy treats for your dog.

Mae seems wise to Bandit's tactics, and that smile says she's not falling for it. Still, a dog this charming rarely leaves completely empty-handed.

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