The Gingerbread House Stood on the Table. The Boxer Puppy Sat Beside It.

With wrinkled brow and big, soulful eyes, a brindle Boxer puppy sits next to a kitchen table where a decorated gingerbread house stands. The house has white icing, a few colorful candies on the roof, and snowflake details. A few crumbs and a folded dish towel lie on the table nearby, and a knit throw and a basket complete the cozy kitchen. The puppy's face carries a polite but slightly worried look, like a kid waiting for permission.

Gingerbread and candy decorations are tempting to a puppy, but they are not good for dogs. Spices such as nutmeg can be harmful, and icing and sweets are full of sugar. Some candies and sugar-free treats contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Keep decorated treats high on a counter or in a room the puppy cannot reach. Boxers are known for being playful, goofy, and affectionate, often staying puppyish for years, and they usually enjoy plenty of exercise. If you think a pet has eaten something harmful, call your vet.

This hopeful pup, whom we will name Maple, seems to know the rules, which is why that look is so earnest. A few crumbs on the table do not tell us anything, and the house itself is standing proudly. A well-behaved puppy next to a gingerbread house is a holiday scene all its own.