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A fluffy black and white puppy chews a red ribbon on a gift wrapped in brown paper, with torn paper and toys on the floor. 2 / 25

A Puppy Decided the Gift Wrap Was the Real Present

AI imagerescue puppygift wrapchristmas

Brown wrapping paper is in shreds, a red ribbon dangles from a small muzzle, and a black and white puppy has her paw firmly on the gift. Her fur is soft and fluffy, with a white chest and a black face, and her eyes are glued to the prize. The room behind her is a delightful mess: a plush reindeer, a rope toy, a gray knit blanket, a tote bag, a box with tissue paper, and a Christmas tree peeking from the top corner. Let's call her Domino. She has clearly decided that unwrapping is her job.

Puppies explore with their mouths, and ribbons and paper are the best toys at the holidays. Paper itself is usually just messy, but ribbon, string, and tape can be dangerous if swallowed, since they may get stuck in the digestive tract. Keep ribbons and bows out of reach, clean up wrapping paper quickly after gifts are opened, and offer a chew toy to redirect her energy. If you ever see a ribbon dangling from your puppy's mouth, don't pull it out; call your vet for advice.

The rescue puppy years are full of firsts, and a first Christmas is a big one. Mixed-breed puppies often come with a wonderful mix of traits, and they thrive with patience, routine, and lots of positive training. A few simple rules, like trading a chew toy for a stolen item, teach good habits early.

Domino is thrilled with her gift, whatever it is. For a puppy, the best part of a present is the ribbon.

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