Midnight Stared Up at the Tree Lights and Forgot Everything Else
His head tilted up and his nose just slightly raised, a fluffy black Newfoundland puppy stares at the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree. The tree glows gold, hung with wooden ornaments, pinecones, and round glass baubles, and the soft afternoon sun slides across the couch behind him. A mug, a pair of glasses, and a few papers on the table give the room a lived-in feel, and a rope toy lies on the floor.
Puppies see the world in a way that is different from ours. Dogs have fewer color receptors than people, so reds and greens look duller to them, but they are good at noticing movement and flicker, which may be why twinkling lights hold their attention so well. A puppy's first Christmas is full of new sights, sounds, and smells, and a calm introduction helps. Let him sniff the tree from a distance first, and reward quiet behavior.
Newfoundlands are known as gentle giants, and even at this age the soulful, thoughtful look is already there. They grow into big, strong dogs, and early training in good manners, such as walking politely and not jumping up, is a great investment. We will call this one Midnight, thanks to that velvet black coat. He seems to be thinking deep thoughts about the shimmer in front of him. It is the kind of peaceful pause that makes the holiday feel a little more magical.
