Grandpa Earl Started Flipping Pancakes. Domino Started His Best Behavior Routine.

Morning sun pours through the kitchen window, and Grandpa Earl is at the stove with a spatula, flipping two golden pancakes in a skillet. He's grinning broadly under his white mustache, sunglasses pushed up on his head, fishing vest on even for breakfast duty. A bowl of batter, a jar of flour, a lemon, and a stick of butter sit on the stovetop beside him. Domino is sitting tall and perfectly still on the tile floor, harlequin chest puffed out, ears soft, eyes fixed on the pan with heartbreaking politeness. Potted herbs line the windowsill, and drawings are taped to the fridge behind them.

Waiting politely near the kitchen is a skill worth praising, especially in a dog as tall as a Great Dane, who could easily reach the stovetop. Hot pans, open flames, and sizzling grease are real dangers to a curious nose. Many families teach large dogs to stay on a mat or bed a few feet from the cooking area, rewarding them for waiting there. As for pancakes, a small piece of plain cooked pancake isn't toxic, but butter, syrup, and toppings like chocolate chips should be avoided. Giant breeds can also be prone to stomach issues, so it's wise to avoid big meals of rich food.

Earl clearly has a soft spot for his breakfast companion. One plain little pancake might just find its way to a very good boy.