A Tiny King Climbed Onto a Very Large Throne and Took His Seat
The throne is huge, carved with leaves and lion paws, and the little white Maltese sitting in it is so fluffy that he almost looks like a cloud wearing a crown. Two small paws rest on the arm of the chair, his dark eyes shine, and a gold crown tilts at a very official angle. A red velvet robe lined with white ermine falls around him, and gold brocade shines down the front. The dark brown background glows faintly orange, as if firelight is dancing nearby.
The contrast between the grand carved wood and the tiny king is the whole charm. Royal portraits tried to make rulers look larger than life, and here the painter has done the opposite and made the monarch gloriously cute. The dark, richly cracked surface and the soft glow on the fur give it the hush of a quiet throne room after the guests have gone home.
Maltese dogs have a long, silky white coat that needs regular brushing and sometimes a trim to stay comfortable. They are small, affectionate, and tend to be devoted to their people, though they can be a bit shy with strangers. Short daily walks and indoor play are usually enough exercise. Because they are tiny, use a harness rather than pulling on the collar, and ask your vet about dental care, which matters a lot in small breeds.
Long live the king, and long live the lap he is certain to claim by dinner time.
