Grandpa Otis Sat Down to Breakfast. Bruno Brought His Hopeful Face.
A lamp glows on the patio in the early blue light as Grandpa Otis sits down to breakfast. His plate holds fluffy scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, and buttered toast, with a bowl of blueberries and strawberries, a glass of water, and a mug of coffee within reach. He wears a chunky oatmeal cardigan over a plaid shirt and gives a small, contented smile over the top of his glasses. In the foreground, Bruno is stretched up beside the table, brindle snout lifted, tongue just visible, amber eyes fixed on the plate with polite, hopeful devotion. Potted succulents and garden chairs line the quiet patio.
Breakfast is an easy time for a dog to get in the habit of begging, so a little structure helps. Teaching a dog to settle on a mat during meals, and rewarding him with a treat afterward, keeps the table peaceful. Some foods on the plate are fine in small amounts for many dogs, such as a bite of plain scrambled egg, but others are not: avocado, for instance, can be harmful to dogs, and butter and salty foods are not ideal. Berries can be a safe snack for many dogs, though portions should stay small. When in doubt, ask your vet. French Bulldogs gain weight easily, so measured treats are best.
Otis eats slowly and Bruno watches patiently. Breakfast has rarely been enjoyed with so much quiet attention from such a devoted audience.
