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A tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog leans toward a plate of chocolate chip cookies on a wooden table in a decorated kitchen. 10 / 26

The Cookies Were Left Out for Santa. The Bernese Got There First.

AI imagebernese mountain dogchristmascookies

A big tricolor Bernese Mountain Dog named Bear has lowered his head to a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the wooden table, his nose just inches from the treats. His black coat, white blaze and rust-colored cheeks are all turned toward the plate in deep concentration. In the kitchen behind him, a garland drapes along the cabinets, a tree glows in the background and a dish towel hangs on a chair.

Cookies left for Santa are a favorite stop for hungry dogs, but most of them are not safe. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and chocolate chip cookies can also contain raisins, nuts and plenty of sugar, which are risky. If a dog eats chocolate, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away. The best plan is to place the plate on a high counter or in a closed room. Bernese Mountain Dogs are calm, affectionate and sweet-natured, but they are also big and strong, and a large dog can reach a table easily. Offer a safe dog treat for Santa's furry helper instead.

Bear seems very polite about it, simply sniffing and thinking. It is plain that he respects the plate, though it would be easy for a nose that size to change his mind. A tasty biscuit of his own will make up for it.

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