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An older woman in a floral apron smiles at a brindle Shih Tzu at a lace-covered table with tea, cookies, and lemon. 12 / 28

Abuela Rosa Set Out Tea and Butter Cookies. Her Guest Arrived Right on Time.

AI imageshih tzuafternoon teakitchen

A rose-printed mug of tea steeps beside a plate of golden butter cookies and a few lemon slices on the lacy tablecloth. Abuela Rosa sits with her elbows near the table edge, wearing a blue tee under her flowered apron, and she has turned to share a quiet look with her guest. Chispa sits on the chair beside her, brindle fur fluffed up around her face, nose lifted toward Rosa with the hopeful expression of a dog who has noticed the cookies. A book and a pair of glasses rest on a knitted throw nearby, and soft daylight from the window fills the cozy kitchen with a gentle glow.

Afternoon tea is a lovely ritual, but a few things on this table are worth keeping away from a small dog. Cookies are usually high in sugar and butter and may contain ingredients like chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, or the sweetener xylitol, all of which can be harmful to dogs. Tea contains caffeine, which dogs should not have, and lemon tends to cause stomach upset. A better way to include your dog in tea time is to keep a small dish of dog-safe treats on hand. Shih Tzus are prone to dental issues, too, so sugary snacks are best skipped entirely in favor of chews made for dogs.

Chispa will get a biscuit made just for her, and Rosa will enjoy her cookies in peace. Some traditions are better when there is someone sitting across the table, even if that someone has whiskers.

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