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A white Maltese curls up asleep on a knit blanket in front of a brick hearth lined with leftover Thanksgiving dishes. 3 / 22

Dinner Was Over, the Table Was a Mess, and One Guest Slept Right Through It

AI imagemaltesethanksgivingfireplace nap

The feast is over and the house has gone soft and quiet. On a chunky cream knit blanket near the brick hearth, a white Maltese named Snowball is sound asleep, her silky coat spread out like a little cloud. Sunlight filters through a sheer curtain beside her. Up on the hearth, the evidence of a big meal remains: a pan of green beans, a carved turkey platter, a pepper shaker, a few napkins and a half-empty bowl of cranberries.

Dogs often sleep deeply after a day of excitement, and a holiday full of voices, smells and visitors can be tiring even for a lap dog. Maltese are small, affectionate companions that usually love warmth and a soft place to rest. If your dog naps near a fireplace, make sure there is a sturdy screen, and keep her a safe distance from sparks and hot surfaces. It is also wise to move leftovers well out of reach, since turkey bones, onions and rich gravy are not good for dogs. Offering fresh water after a big day is always a kind idea.

Snowball has no interest in the leftovers at the moment. She has done her greeting, her begging and her inspecting, and now it is time for dreams of turkey. Some of the best parts of a holiday happen quietly, in a warm room, with a tired pup.

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