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An elderly couple flip pancakes in a skillet at a gas stove while a lemon and white Basset Hound sits and watches them. 9 / 21

Bea Flipped the Pancakes, Harold Held the Pan, and Waffles Waited for His Moment

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Golden pancakes sizzle in a skillet with a melting pat of butter, and a stack of finished ones waits on a plate beside the stove. Bea, in a green cardigan with her hair in a loose bun, tilts the spatula under the next pancake with practiced confidence, smiling down at it. Harold leans in close in his plaid shirt and glasses, steadying the pan handle and supervising with a grin. At their feet, Waffles sits perfectly upright on the kitchen floor, chest out, ears hanging, eyes locked on the skillet. He is not begging, exactly. He is simply waiting, very politely, in case a pancake should happen to fall.

That patient sit is a skill worth teaching any dog, and it is especially useful in the kitchen. Rewarding calm sitting away from the stove helps keep a dog safe from spills, hot grease, and dropped utensils. Plain pancake without syrup, butter, or chocolate chips is not toxic to most dogs in a small bite, but it offers little nutrition, and sugary or rich foods can upset sensitive stomachs. Basset Hounds are known for their appetites and gain weight easily, so treats should stay small and occasional. A designated mat or bed a few steps from the cooking area makes a great waiting spot.

Breakfast is nearly ready, the kitchen smells wonderful, and Waffles has been an absolute gentleman. If Harold slips him one little corner of a plain pancake, it is hard to blame him. Good manners deserve a reward now and then.

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