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A smiling silver-haired woman in a cardigan holds a vanilla ice cream cone while a harlequin Great Dane licks it. 7 / 21

Grandma June Said He Could Have One Lick. Domino Took the Rule Very Seriously.

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It is a warm afternoon, and Grandma June has made a decision that most dog owners will recognize: one lick, just one. She sits on the living room floor in her cream cardigan, eyes crinkled with laughter, holding out a vanilla ice cream cone. Domino, the harlequin Great Dane, leans in with surprising delicacy for such a big dog, his pink tongue just reaching the swirl at the top, his amber eyes glancing sideways at her as if to confirm this is truly allowed. Behind them, a basket of yarn, a stack of magazines, a few tennis balls, and a row of potted plants on the windowsill fill the cozy room.

Sharing ice cream with a dog is a classic summer image, but it is wise to keep it rare and small. Many adult dogs do not digest lactose well, so dairy can lead to an upset stomach. Regular ice cream is also high in sugar and fat. More importantly, some flavors are dangerous: chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts, raisins, and anything sweetened with xylitol should never be shared. A safer way to give a dog a cool treat is to freeze plain unsweetened yogurt, if your dog tolerates it, or blend dog-safe fruit like banana with water and freeze it in a cup. There are also frozen treats made specifically for dogs. If you are unsure whether a food is safe for your dog, it is always best to check with your vet first.

Domino's single lick may become the highlight of his week. And Grandma June still gets to finish the cone, which seems like a fair deal.

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