Browse ›
An older woman in a floral apron drinks from a tan mug on a doorstep while a brindle Shih Tzu looks up in the foreground. 26 / 28

Abuela Rosa Took Her First Sip of Coffee. Chispa Had Questions.

AI imageshih tzumorning coffeeporch steps

The morning is just beginning, and Abuela Rosa has claimed her spot on the front steps. She holds a tan mug with both hands, glasses sliding down her nose, her eyes closed for a moment as the first sip warms her. Chispa sits right in front of her, so close that her fuzzy brindle face fills the corner of the frame. The little Shih Tzu gazes up at the mug with serious, hopeful dark eyes, as though she has a question about it. Warm sunlight hits the stucco wall, and a pair of slippers, a potted aloe, and a pair of old sneakers wait quietly by the door.

If your dog stares at your morning cup, here is something good to know. Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which is harmful to dogs, so even a few licks from a spilled mug are best avoided. Keep cups on a surface your dog cannot reach and wipe up any drips right away. A better way to include her in the morning routine is to give her something of her own, like a few minutes of sniffing in the yard, a chew toy, or a small, dog-safe treat. Many small dogs are happiest when they feel included in their person's rituals, and a regular schedule helps them feel secure. Your vet can suggest suitable treats.

Rosa is happy to share the steps, the sunshine, and the quiet. Chispa will not get any coffee, but she does get something better, which is a front-row seat to the morning.

More from this collection

All 28 →
An older woman in a green cardigan plays an old upright piano while a brindle Shih Tzu sits upright on the bench beside her.Abuela Rosa Started Playing the Old Piano. Chispa Had Reserved Seating.An older woman in a floral apron scatters grain for chickens in a backyard while a brindle Shih Tzu walks beside her.Abuela Rosa Scattered the Chicken Feed. Chispa Followed Right Along.
A smiling older woman in a floral apron and glasses washes a brindle Shih Tzu in a sudsy metal tub in the backyard.Abuela Rosa Filled the Old Washtub With Bubbles. Chispa Knew What That Meant.An older woman in glasses and a floral apron sits on a covered porch beside a brindle Shih Tzu as heavy rain falls.The Storm Rolled In Over the Yard. Abuela Rosa Had the Best Seat on the Porch.An older woman in a floral apron and gray cardigan dozes on a wooden porch swing with a brindle Shih Tzu asleep on her lap.Abuela Rosa Sat Down on the Porch Swing for a Minute. Chispa Had Other Plans.An older woman in a floral apron sits on a wooden dock with her feet in the water while a brindle Shih Tzu sits in front.Abuela Rosa Dipped Her Toes in the Pond. Chispa Stole the Whole Picture.