It’s delightful to receive a box of chocolates. It’s even more enjoyable to receive four boxes.
That’s the sweet treat received when a dog is part of your life. Each paw holds a tiny sampler box of assorted chocolates.
While cats have been labelled as having toes that look like jelly beans, dogs have toes that, to me, look like decadent chocolate creams.
Kitties sport pink, black or a combination pink-black coloured jelly bean-looking toes in bird nests of paw floof. Dogs showcase toes that look like chocolates in furry candy cups.
Every canine has unique toes crafted by chocolatiers. They consist of four digital pads in the shape of buttercreams, and large metatarsals and metacarpals resembling pecan caramel clusters.
They come in dark, milk or pink chocolate coatings. From chubby pink pit bull chocolate creams to chocolate covered raisin-size Chihuahua toes, their uniqueness makes me smile.
These delicacies are enhanced by neatly trimmed or wildly hairy candy cups of tan, blonde, white, brown or gray.
Sure, some dog toes are a bit bushy or rough looking, but think of them as textured chocolates with ornate drizzles, coconut flakes or chopped nuts.
I know what some of you may be thinking, that dog paws smell like corn chips! Yes, dog paws have the reputation of smelling like corn chips at times (because of natural bacteria that lives on their paws), but even corn chips are a snack some people find delicious when dipped in chocolate.
Who hasn’t held a dog paw in their palm and gently squeezed the toes between their fingers like they are selecting a buttercream from a box of chocolates?
We make commemorative paw prints with paint on artist canvas, we press the pads into soft clay to make ornaments, we take photographs holding our beloved dog’s paw in the palm of our hand. Some people have their dog’s paw print tattooed on their body.
Ponder these similarities between dogs and chocolate:
- Dogs are noted for loving their master unconditionally. Fittingly, giving chocolate to someone is a symbol of love.
- Chocolate increases the brain’s level of serotonin, the feel-good brain chemical. Serotonin plays a major role in positive mood and emotional health. Likewise, studies show that owning a dog can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression and combat loneliness.
It seems fitting that all the love a dog brings to us is carried on four sampler boxes of chocolates.
Show us your dog’s chocolate toes!
Tracy Ahrens is a veteran journalist, author, artist and mom to three rescued cats and one dog. She shares her pet stories with several publications including Catster.com and Dogster.com. See her website at www.tracyahrens.weebly.com and add her children’s book, “Sammy Sparrow’s First Flight,” to your collection. All proceeds help 9 humane organizations.
