Pepper Sat Beside the Cocoa Mug and Tried to Look Innocent
The coffee table has become a very interesting place. A scruffy white and tan Jack Russell puppy sits beside a big cream-colored mug of cocoa piled with marshmallows, a cinnamon stick poking out the side. One ear is folded forward, his gaze has drifted off to the left like he is pretending not to care, and nearby a garland, a tiny tree, a rope toy, and a basket of blankets set the holiday scene.
Chocolate is the part of this picture worth a serious note. Cocoa, cookies, and candy contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, and the sweetener found in some sugar-free treats can be dangerous too. A warm mug left within reach of a curious puppy is a classic holiday hazard, so set drinks on high surfaces and wipe up spills quickly. If your dog does get into something sweet, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away instead of waiting to see what happens.
Jack Russells are bright, bouncy dogs with endless curiosity, and they are very good at noticing what you forgot to put away. A puppy like this one will do best with a safe chew or a snuffle mat of his own to keep that busy brain happy during a crowded holiday. As for the cocoa, he is doing a fine job of looking dignified. Let us call him Pepper, and say that his best trick tonight is sitting still and letting the marshmallows stay exactly where they are.
