The Little Doorman Wore a Black-and-White Coat and Guarded the Wreath
Right on the doormat, a fluffy black-and-white Havanese puppy sits with his ears perked and his dark eyes aimed straight ahead. Behind him, a deep green front door wears a wreath of pine, berries and a burlap bow, and a garland of cones and greenery frames the doorway. A few dry leaves have blown onto the step. He looks like a tiny doorman waiting to greet whoever arrives for the holiday party, and his pose is perfectly polite.
Havanese are small, sociable dogs bred as companions, and they often love meeting visitors, which makes them natural greeters. The holidays bring many guests and plenty of door-opening, so it helps to teach a puppy to sit calmly before anyone comes in. A puppy should never be allowed to dash out an open door, so a baby gate or leash is a good safeguard. Real greenery on doors is lovely, but pine needles, holly and mistletoe can upset a dog's stomach if chewed, so keep any low-hanging pieces out of reach. Make sure your pup has a quiet room with a bed to retreat to when the crowd gets noisy. A tired puppy is a happy puppy, and a rest between guests keeps the party relaxed for everyone.
For now, the street is quiet, the wreath is perfect and the little greeter is ready. Whoever knocks first is in for a warm welcome.
