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A blue merle Australian Shepherd sits by a coffee table holding a mug of cocoa with marshmallows, near a Christmas tree. 11 / 26

The Cocoa Was Still Steaming When the Aussie Took Her Post

AI imageaustralian shepherdchristmashot cocoa

Steam rises from a white mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, and a blue merle Australian Shepherd named Misty is sitting right beside it, her gaze lifted as if listening for footsteps. Her coat of gray, black and white swirls looks like a winter sky, and her eyes are a pale blue. A red plaid blanket sits on the table, and a lit tree twinkles behind her with a couch and a blanket nearby.

Hot cocoa is a cozy holiday treat, but it is not for dogs. Chocolate is harmful to dogs and some mugs also contain sweeteners that are dangerous, so keep drinks out of reach and wipe up any spills quickly. Australian Shepherds are smart, energetic herding dogs, and many are watchful and love to keep track of family members. On a cold evening, give her a warm blanket and a chew toy so she has something to enjoy while the people sip. Tiredness helps too, so a walk or a game of fetch earlier in the day keeps her relaxed.

Misty looks like a loyal guard, watching the mug until its owner returns. She has no plan to touch it, just to keep it safe. A room with a tree, a blanket and a dog on duty is a pretty good place to spend the evening.

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