Browse ›
A silver-haired woman works on a jigsaw puzzle at a round kitchen table while a Shih Tzu sits on a wooden chair beside her. 35 / 38

Dottie Spread Her Jigsaw Puzzle Across the Table. Teddy Took the Chair Next to Her.

AI imageshih tzujigsaw puzzlekitchen table

A half-finished jigsaw puzzle covers the round kitchen table, its scene of trees and sky slowly taking shape. Dottie leans over it in her chunky cardigan, reading glasses hanging from her collar, pressing one piece into place with careful concentration. Teddy has taken his own seat at the table, perched upright on a wooden chair beside her with his paws together, looking off toward the window like a polite dinner guest waiting for the next course. A bowl of loose pieces, a cup of tea, a folded dish towel, and a pair of glasses are scattered across the table, and the kitchen behind them is full of plants, fruit, and cozy clutter.

Jigsaw puzzles are a favorite pastime for many older adults, and for good reason. They encourage focus, patience, and visual problem-solving, and they make a relaxing activity to share with family or friends. A dog at the table adds company, but puzzle pieces are small and made of cardboard, which some dogs like to chew. Swallowed pieces can upset a dog's stomach or cause a blockage in small breeds. It helps to work on puzzles at a table your dog cannot reach unsupervised, and to keep stray pieces off the floor. If your dog is the type to snatch things from the table, a puzzle board with a cover keeps your progress safe between sessions.

Teddy may not help find any edge pieces, but he is clearly committed to the project. Every puzzle goes better with a patient supervisor.

More from this collection

All 38 →
A silver-haired woman repairs a wooden fence while a Shih Tzu sits close and a tan dog holds a stick in its mouth.Grandma Got to Work Fixing the Old Fence. Her Helpers Showed Up With Supplies.A silver-haired woman in a cardigan sits in a blue lawn chair holding a Shih Tzu on her lap as the sun sets behind houses.Two Lawn Chairs Were Set Out for the Sunset, but Only One Got Used
A silver-haired woman sprays an old green car with a hose as a wet gold and white Shih Tzu leaps through the water.Dottie Turned On the Hose to Wash the Car. Teddy Thought It Was for Him.A silver-haired woman in a cream cardigan reads a book aloud on a couch while a gold and white Shih Tzu listens beside her.Dottie Opened Her Book and Started Reading Out Loud. Teddy Had Front Row Seats.A smiling silver-haired woman in a cardigan crouches at a produce stand holding the leash of a gold and white Shih Tzu.Dottie Stopped at the Produce Stand. Teddy Spotted Something Else Entirely.A silver-haired woman in a cardigan lathers a gold and white Shih Tzu standing in a soapy galvanized tub outdoors.Grandma Filled the Old Tub With Bubbles. Teddy's Expression Was Priceless.