Her Majesty Wears Pearls, Rubies and Sapphires on a Cloud of Snowy Fur
A gleaming gold crown studded with pearls, rubies and sapphires sits atop a cloud of snowy white fur, and beneath it a small Maltese gazes out with calm, dark eyes and a button nose. Her soft ears fall in silky waves on either side of her face. She wears a deep blue velvet gown patterned with golden fleurs-de-lis and leafy embroidery, edged with a Greek key border, all wrapped in a voluminous ermine cape dotted with black tails. Behind her, green drapery and a fluted stone column decorated with a laurel wreath set the scene in a grand throne room.
The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds, with a long history as a lap dog among aristocrats and nobility in the Mediterranean and beyond. They are affectionate, lively and devoted to their people, making them popular companions today. Their single-layer white coat sheds little but grows continuously, so it needs daily brushing if kept long or regular trims if kept short. Tear staining around the eyes is common in white breeds; gently wiping the area keeps it clean, and your vet can check for underlying causes. Small breeds also benefit from regular dental care.
Tiny in size but enormous in presence, this queen rules her palace from the softest cushion in the room. Long may she reign. Every pillow in the palace is hers by royal decree.
