Fall is a season of cozy flavors and festive treats—but before you let your pet sneak a bite of your pumpkin muffin or apple crisp, it’s important to know what’s safe and what’s not.

When Kahlean walked into Mission Animal Hospital early one morning, she was carrying more than just her cat—she was carrying fear, heartbreak, and the weight of a decision no pet parent should ever have to make.

Willow, a joyful standard poodle with a heart as big as her fluffy tail, trotted beside her dad, Peter, along their usual trail in Eagan, Minnesota. The wildlife had always kept its distance—until it didn’t.