Everyone at the Table Bowed Their Heads. One Schnauzer Kept Watching.
Four people sit around a wooden table with their hands pressed together, heads bowed over a spread of turkey, rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. In the foreground, a salt and pepper Miniature Schnauzer named Gus is the only one with his eyes open. His wiry eyebrows and bushy beard give him the look of a small, serious gentleman who is making sure the moment is done properly.
Schnauzers were originally bred as farm dogs, and they tend to be alert, smart and devoted to their families. That attentiveness is why Gus seems to understand that something special is happening. Dogs read our body language very well, so a quiet table and a hush often make them pause too. To keep dinner smooth, teach a reliable settle or place command, and reward your dog for lying on a mat during meals. Table scraps are best avoided, because rich foods and seasoned dishes can upset a dog's stomach, and some items, such as onions and grapes, can be harmful.
Right now Gus has the best seat in the house, watching the family say thanks as steam rises from the bowls. The only thing he is thankful for, we suspect, is that the prayer is a short one. Then again, he gets to be part of the family circle, and that is no small blessing.
