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A black Pug puppy sniffs a plate of chocolate chip cookies on a wooden table near a lit Christmas tree. 22 / 26

Santa's Cookies Smelled Wonderful, and a Pug Puppy Noticed Right Away

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Nose pressed toward the plate, a black pug puppy takes in the aroma of chocolate chip cookies. Its ears fold down, its eyes are half closed in concentration, and a few crumbs scatter across the table. In the soft golden light, a tree twinkles in the corner, a knit blanket drapes over the couch, and a stuffed reindeer sits among the pillows. It looks like a perfectly normal Christmas Eve, except for the sniffing.

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most common holiday dangers for dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs cannot process well, and dark and baking chocolate are especially risky. Cookies may also contain raisins, macadamia nuts, or xylitol, all of which are harmful. The safest plan is to keep a treat plate well out of reach, and to set up a baby gate or closed door if the puppy loves counters. If your dog does eat some, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, because early advice matters.

This curious pup, whom we will name Truffle, is only smelling for now. His little nose works hard, and the scent alone is plenty of entertainment. We hope the plate is lifted soon and a safe treat takes its place. Until then, here is a very serious sniffer on a very sweet night. Once the cookies are safely put away, he will most likely curl up by the tree and doze off, still dreaming of that buttery smell.

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