The Porch Steps Were Dressed for Christmas, and So Was One Curly Visitor
On the old porch steps, dusted with snow and wound in evergreen garland, sits a chocolate brown Havanese named Cocoa. Her curly coat looks like soft velvet and her dark eyes are fixed on you with calm curiosity. Pine boughs and pinecones trail along the stairs, a blue watering can and some flower pots sit beside the steps and the window above glows with warm light.
Havanese are friendly, affectionate small dogs, originally from Cuba, with silky, long coats that need regular brushing. Snow can cling to the fur and form ice balls between the toes, so check her paws after outings and dry her well. The garland on the steps is pretty, but pine needles can irritate a dog's mouth and stomach, and wire or ribbon is a hazard if chewed. Wet stairs can be slippery for small dogs, so keep her close and carry her if the steps are icy. After a time outdoors, a warm towel and a cozy bed will make her happy again.
Cocoa looks cozy and a little bit serious, as if the steps were hers to guard and every snowflake had to ask permission first. The evergreen, snow and warm window glow all add up to a postcard-worthy scene. She waits patiently, perhaps for her family to come home with a treat, her curls dusted lightly with winter.
